Roger Federer wins French Open, equals Pit Sampras

Paris, Jun 8: Roger Federer on Sunday, Jun 7 won the French Open creating history of winning all the Grand Slam and equating Tennis wonder Pete Sampras.

Federer beat surprise finalist Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, matching Sampras' record. Roger Federer became the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam championships.

Undeterred Federer raced to a quick lead, sweeping all the first four games. Soderling appeared nervous at the start of his first Grand Slam final. However Roger kept him scrambling with penetrating groundstrokes to both corners and an occasional drop shot.

Soderling's strokes steadied, and he pushed the second set to 6-all. But Federer played a brilliant tiebreaker, hitting aces on all four of his service points, and Soderling could only smile ruefully. When he hit a service winner on championship point, he fell on his knees to the clay that had vexed him for so long, screamed and briefly buried his face in his hands.

Federer was in tears by the time he met Soderling at the net. A standing ovation was given by the crowd to Federer as he raised his arms in triumph. Federer won his 14th Grand Slam championship at age 27. Sampras, who never reached a French Open final, was 31 when he won his last major title.

Federer who won the US Open for the past five years will try for his No 15 title in two weeks at Wimbledon, which he has won five times.

OneIndia News