Federer outlasts Roddick to surpass Sampras' Grand Slam victory mark

Some people were writing off Federer after he lost to Nadal in the Australian Open final and broke down in tears in the trophy ceremony. Federer continued to struggle early in the season before winning the French Open for the first time to complete a career Grand Slam.

On Sunday, Federer became the third man in 40 years to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year, joining Borg and Nadal.

"This year is crazy," Federer said. "Things didn't look so good when I lost in the final of the Australian Open, which was still just an unbelievable result. But to come through and battle back and win Paris and now Wimbledon back-to-back, something Bjorn did a couple of times, it's amazing."

Playing in his record 20th Grand Slam final and sixth in a row overall, Federer beat Roddick for the third time in the Wimbledon championship match, adding to his victories in 2004 and '05. He extended his overall mastery over the American to 19-2, including 8-0 at Grand Slams.

Federer had the first break chance at 5-5 in the first set, but Roddick bore down and saved four break points in a game that went to deuce five times. Roddick then broke in the next game to take the set, closing with a deep backhand that forced a forehand error by Federer.

The second set went on serve until the tiebreaker, which Roddick let slip from his grasp after going up 6-2. Federer saved four set points — with Roddick missing a relatively easy high backhand volley on the fourth — and won six straight overall to even the match.

Roddick saved another break point in the sixth game of the third set with an ace, and both players held easily the rest of the way to force a second tiebreaker. Federer held three set points at 6-3. Roddick saved the first two but Federer took the third by moving forward on a short ball to put away a forehand winner.

At that stage, Federer might have been expected to ride the momentum and sweep to victory in the fourth. But Roddick broke for the second time in the fourth game, bending low for a sliced shot and hitting a backhand pass that Federer couldn't handle. At 5-2, Roddick fell on the baseline with his right leg slipping out from under him. But he shook it off and served out the set to send the match to the fifth.