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In a gut wrenching, cliff-hanger of a Wimbledon final, Roger Federer surpassed Pete Sampras as the most successful player in Grand Slam history as he won his 15th major title. Watched by a star studded centre court, the Swiss champion won his 6th Wimbledon title 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 in a match that lasted an incredible four hours and fifteen minutes. Fittingly it was a contest of epic proportions with the fifth and final set, the longest ever in a grand slam final, in terms of games played. Andy Roddick, definitely the underdog going into the final, threw everything at Federer and very nearly came out on top. Roger acknowledged Roddick's gargantuan effort after the match "He played unbelievable. It feels great. It w as a crazy match with an unbelievable end and my head's still spinning, but it's an unbelievable moment in my career."

The outcome could have been very different as Federer dug deep against an in-form Andy Roddick, who squandered four points for a two set lead and then showed incredible resolve to take the match into a fifth set. Roddick, arguably, played the better tennis with Federer not looking completely at ease, as the weight of expectation seemed to be taking its toll. Roddick always seemed just one step ahead of Federer, breaking his serve twice in the match while the Swiss master was unable to break the massive Roddick serve until Championship point. But such is the test of a true champion, to somehow pull off a victory even when they're not playing their best.

It didn't begin well for Roger Federer, playing in his seventh consecutive Wimbledon Final. In a tense opening set, Andy Roddick came out with all guns blazing, matching Federer stroke for stroke and living up to his billing as one of the biggest servers in the game. The American began where he had left off in his semi-final against Andy Murray, hitting the angles and playing some exquisite passing shots to beat Federer at the net. But at 5-5, 0-30 down and his serve eluding him, things seemed like they were about to unravel for the American. He was, however, able to ride the storm with some big serving, made it 6-5, having saved four break points.

His escape seemed to energize Andy in the next game and the pressure was evidently telling on Federer as he turned to Hawkeye twice in desperation. But technology could not save the five-time champion as his shot landed wide on set point for Roddick. The crowd was on their feet as the American took a shock lead in the match.

The second set began much the same way as the first did, with neither player able to break. Roddick was exuding confidence with a first serve percentage of 80 and, psychologically atleast, Federer definitely looked on the backfoot. At 5-4, glimpses of the old Federer began to return, winning a mammoth rally, chasing down a drop shot and hammering the ball for an exquisite crosscourt passing shot. It came down to a tiebreaker eventually with Roddick starting strong, serving up a 143mph bullet and then going up two mini breaks. With the score at 6-2 and four set points for Andy Roddick, Federer's championship hopes were fading fast. But an incredible Federer backhand and two service winners cut the deficit before Roddick had a chance on his own serve, but he put a backhand volley wide. Federer seized the initiative to win a fifth straight point and then wrapped up the set as Roddick pushed a backhand over the baseline.

Andy Roddick looked shellshocked at the start of the third as he walked onto the wrong side of the court and it looked like he might not recover from what had transpired in the second set tiebreaker. He did, however, regain enough composure to hold his serve through the set and force another tiebreaker. This one, though, went completely in the Swiss ace's favour with Federer going up a mini break early on and clinching it 7-5 with a thumping forehand.

The experts had predicted a four set win for Federer and order seemed to have been restored with the champion in the driver's seat. But Roddick showed incredible resolve, refusing to give up and breaking Roger in his second service game and holding his own to go up 4-1 in the set. Roddick then valiantly served out the ninth game, coming back from 0-30 down to take the fourth set and set up a historic fifth set

In the deciding set, there was nothing separating the two players, both holding serve and playing some incredible points along the way. At 8-8, it seemed like Andy Roddick would be the man to break the deadlock pulling off three amazing points, including a beautiful down the line winner to get two break points and an opportunity to serve for the Championship. But at 15-40, Federer showed nerves of steel with three great serves and an incredible drive volley as the former champion clinged on.

The set became the longest in men's singles grand slam final history as the battle of wits continued till the 30th game. It was then that Roddick shanked a forehand on deuce and did the same in the next point to give Federer his first service break of the day and his 15th Grand Slam title.

Clutching his runners up plate, an emotionally and physically exhausted Roddick told the crowd: "I'm one of the lucky few who gets cheered for, so thank you for that. I just want to say congratulations to Roger, he deserves everything he gets, so well done Roger."

Well done Roger, indeed. Debates have been raging for some time now on whether Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time, and no doubt they will continue, but with his name now, well and truly entrenched right at the top of the record books, arguing against the Swiss legend just got a whole lot tougher.

Final Score:
R. Federer d A. Roddick 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14

FIle Photograph Copyright: Andrew Murison (Federer), Elizabeth Molineux (Roddick)