Federer new Wimbledon king

LONDON: Roger Federer has mesmerised man mountain Mark Philippoussis to win his maiden grand slam crown and become the first Swiss men’s singles champion in Wimbledon’s 126-year history. The magical 7-6, 6-2, 7-6 Centre Court performance ripped up the 21-year-old’s tag of grand slam underachiever once and for all. “It’s just incredible ... I don’t know how this is possible,” the fourth seed said, his voice breaking with emotion on the world’s most famous tennis court. “A lot of people have come from Basel, from home, for this. It is so nice to share this moment, thanks to everybody,” he added, the enormity of becoming Switzerland’s first male grand slam champion dawning on him as he burst into tears. For Philippoussis the defeat was a painful one, but this was a tournament which has breathed new life into a career pockmarked by injury. After three separate surgeries on his knee, the Australian had been told he may never play at the top level again. “It’s been a long trip back, but this is only the beginning,” the 26-year-old said. “I’m definitely going to hold that trophy up before I retire, that’s for sure.”
 
Federer’s victory was so complete it immediately drew comparisons with seven-times champion’s Pete Sampras’s dominance of the All England Club turf. It was Federer who ended Sampras’s 31-match winning streak here in 2001 with a dramatic five-set win on Centre Court. That match marked the end of the Sampras era and was the last time Federer reached a grand slam quarter-final — his best performance before this week. Yesterday’s final, however, may have marked the beginning of a Federer era at Wimbledon. Champion in Halle before the Championships began, he is unbeaten on grass this year. His straight-sets defeat of bookmakers’ favourite Andy Roddick in the semi-final was a thing of beauty. “I’m so happy with the way I played. It was the best two matches maybe of my career,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes before collecting his winners’ cheque for ?575,000. Playing with unerring Swiss timing, Federer’s thud of ball on sweetspot echoed around the spellbound arena as he reached for victory. A vicious backhand return followed by an ace and a wild Philippoussis forehand into the net gave Federer a 6-2 lead and four championship points. Two went begging before Philippoussis netted a backhand return and Federer fell to his knees on the grass. He held his head in his hands and sat courtside before looking to the skies in wonder. There was heartwarming applause for Philippoussis before Federer stepped up to collect his trophy. He held it aloft, bathed in flashlight, as Wimbledon welcomed a new champion and, perhaps, a new era.