Did Federer Claim Grand Slam Title 15?
July 6, 2009
On Sunday the tennis world had it eyes on the men’s Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Federer aiming for greatness, Roddick just happy to be in a final of a grand slam.
In the first set it was Roger Federer that had four break points however he was not able to convert on any. On the other hand Andy Roddick had just one. His came at the end of the first set and he converted it to take the first set 7-5.
In past finals at Wimbledon between these two players Federer seemed to easily read the Roddick first serve. Come to 2009 and this ability seems to have gone. With his huge first serve Roddick was able to stay in control when serving.
The second set was another tight affair and the players found themselves in a tie-break. Federer seemed to be allowing self-doubt take control and before we knew it Roddick was out to a 6-2 lead. A brilliant half volley from the Swiss master saw him edge back to 6-3. A big first serve from Federer made it 6-4, then a Federer ace got it back to 6-5 with Roddick stepping up to serve two.
Roddick missed the first serve but came in after a short return by Federer. Roddick was at the net in good position but could not handle a head high backhand volley that he sent sailing wide and long. Roddick had lost four straight points to find himself at 6-6. Just when Roddick needed a big first serve he failed. Federer was able to setup a point and a dipping shot as Roddick charged the net was too hot to handle. Set point Federer. After a couple of shots Roddick hit long and Federer had escaped to level the set at one set each.
After Roddick could not close out the tie-break from 6-2 it remained to be seen how this would affect his confidence. Roddick needed to leave the court to take a comfort stop. On his return he went to the wrong end. This showed his mind was clearly not on the job.
Federer kept the pressure on Roddick by taking the opening game of the third set, games then went with serve until just like in the second set there was a tie-break. Federer took the first point on serve. The first mini break came on Roddick’s second of his two serves to give Federer a 2-1 lead. A great forehand pass from Federer took him out to 3-1. Then a high kicking serve could not be returned by Roddick. Federer was up 4-1.
The pressure was all on Roddick as he fought to stop Federer running away with the match. Another error saw Federer go up 5-1. Finally some good shots were strung together by Roddick to make it 2-5. A nice return from Roddick set him up for another point which he won with a cross court winner. Unfortunately Federer played Roddick out of position to bring up a set point. Roddick saved the first, then the second. It was 6-5 with Federer serving. A huge serve out wide forced Roddick to return a high floater that Federer came in to the net to hit away for the winner and with it the third set.
In the fourth set Roddick was serving first. He took an early lead and then was able to break at 2-1 to go out to a 3-1 lead. He showed plenty of emotion after he saw his rocket like pass missed by Federer. Roddick was back in business. Roddick managed to hold all his games to take the match to a five set classic.
In the fifth set Federer had the advantage of serving first. He won the opening game of the final set. Federer had it all to play for. He was expected to win to take his tally of grand slam single titles out to 15. This would have him lay claim to the title of greatest tennis player of all time. Roddick on the other hand was just happy to be in a grand slam final again.
Federer had a break point in the next game, but like on all of his previous five break opportunities he failed to convert. Games went with serve and at 8-8 Roddick found himself with two break points. Two big serves from Federer saw him fight his way out of that situation to stay on serve at 9-8.
The play just kept on getting the business done and we saw the match at 12-12. Who was going to crack first? Roddick was playing his third consecutive five set match.
Federer served three aces to take the match to 13-12. Something to not was that Federer was out acing Roddick. Fed was in the high forties by now. He ended on 50 for the match.
At 15-14 up Federer got the first point of the game after Roddick hit into the net. A big mishit that Roddick sent way long gave Federer a sniff as he went up 0-30. A big serve down the T got it back to 15-30. More big serves saw Roddick go to 40-30 but a poor shot sent well wide by Roddick made it deuce. Roddick was not getting down to his shots and was now clearly struggling as another unforced error made it deuce again.
A mis-hit return from Federer brought Roddick to the net. He had a fairly easy shot to hit but once again mis-hit to bring up championship point. Yet another Roddick mis-hit sent the ball sail long and saw Federer jumping for joy as he knew the title was his.
With Wimbledon greats such as Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and Pete Sampras watching from court side Federer celebrated. The final score in the 2009 Men’s Wimbledon final was 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14. The final set lasted 95 minutes and the entire match went for four hours and 18 minutes.
You had to feel sorry for Roddick. He was not broken in the match until he ran out of puff in the 30th game of the fifth set. A great match which was fitting for such an occasion. The key moment will go down as the second set tie-break at 6-2 for Roddick when Federer hit a great backhand half volley to save the set.
Federer now stands alone with 15 grand slam singles titles.
Do you think Federer is the greatest player of all-time. Leave your comments below.
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