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World number one Roger Federer produced a near-perfect
performance to beat Andy Roddick 6-2 7-6 6-4 and complete a hat-trick of Wimbledon
titles.
The 23-year-old joins Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as the only players
to win three in a row in the open era.
Federer was at his peerless best in the first set but Roddick fought
hard in the second before his opponent stepped up a gear to take it on a
tie-break.
A rain delay failed to unsettle the Swiss, who broke once to seal
glory.
"It's a pity for Andy but I really did play my best," Federer told
reporters.
"I'm very, very proud. This is the third time so it's very special.
"I came here with huge expectations and to be standing here with the
trophy is almost a dream.
"I was quite concerned before the semi-finals and the final and it's a
huge relief."
The first set looked set to be a tight affair when only one point went
against serve in the first five games.
But at 3-2, Federer piled on the pressure by finding a way to return
some fearsome Roddick serves.
Federer set up a second break point by firing Roddick's smash straight
back past his opponent and took control when the American went long.
The world number one made just one error and hit 15
winners in an awe-inspiring first-set display and rubber-stamped his dominance by breaking
again to take it in 22 minutes.
(BBC) | 
Updated: 2005-07-04 08:36
