Roger Federer Wins First French Open Title
08 June 2009
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Roger Federer saw off Robin Soderling in straight yesterday to win his first French Open and equal Pete Sampras' record of fourteen career Grand Slams.
This was Federer's fourth final in Paris, denied on all three previous occasions by Rafael Nadal, but this time Federer would not miss out on picking up the Grand Slam that has eluded him as he produced his best tennis of the tournament.
The Paris crowd were with the world number two, and have been for the entire tournament, as he made a little piece of history as he becomes just the sixth man to win all four Grand Slams in their career.
The opening set was almost faultless from the twenty seven year old Swiss player as he out-classed a clearly nervous Soderling off the court 6-0 in just over twenty minutes.
But the Swede proved he was not down and out as he went toe to toe with Federer in the second. Soderling seemed to relax and enjoy the surroundings and his serve improved drastically.
And Federer's concentration was interrupted when a spectator ran onto the court to wave a flag in his face before being wrestled to the ground.
The Swede managed to push Federer to a tie break but the former world number one was too strong for Soderling, who was being watched by Swedish legend Bjorn Borg, and he dominated the tie break winning it 7-1.
Into the third and Soderling couldn't reproduce the form that saw him put out world number one and defending champion Nadal a double fault gave Federer the break in the opening game which sealed his fate.
Despite gaining break points when Federer was serving for the set Soderling failed to capitalise hitting the ball into the net to seal Federer's win.
After so much disappointment at the Roland Garros the former world number one finally got his hands on the trophy. After breaking down with disappointment in Australia at the beginning of the year Federer finally displayed tears of joy as he completed the career grand slam.
He has now won five U.S opens, five Wimbledon titles, three wins in Australia and now his first title in Paris to equal Sampras' long standing record.
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