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[Archived] French Open Tennis

benhben

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T4E World Cup

T4E

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Whilst people care about tennis only when Wimbledon is on, nobody ever cares about cricket.

Normally, perhaps. During the Ashes however, thats another story.

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T4E World Cup

T4E

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Outstanding final, currently tied a 2-2 sets, 9-9 in the decider.

Roddick has been immense, I'm starting to lean towards him winning, although I'm still expecting Fed to pull it out.

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T4E World Cup

T4E

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Amazingly, last year went 4 hours 48 mins but finished in less games than they've played in this one. This is still quite some way off that.

I guess it also had the drama of Fed coming back from 2-0 down.

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jim mk2

jim mk2

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Gutted for Roddick. .

No shame in losing to the best player to have picked up a tennis racquet.

And if anyone cares to argue, read these tributes from some of the game's other greats.

SAMPRAS: FEDERER IS THE GREATEST

By Phil Casey, Press Association Sport

Pete Sampras tonight hailed Roger Federer as the greatest player ever after the Swiss star won a record 15th grand slam title.

``I think you have to give it to him,'' said Sampras, who had shared the record of 14 titles following Federer's French Open triumph last month.

``The critics say (Rod) Laver, and (Rafael) Nadal's beaten him a few times in majors. But he's won all the majors, he's won 15 now, he's going to win a few more. In my book he is (the greatest).''

Federer saved four set points in the second-set tie-break and eventually beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 to win a sixth Wimbledon crown on Centre Court.

``It was tremendous,'' added Sampras, who flew in from California overnight to watch the match from the Royal Box. ``Andy played great and had his chance, he was up a set and 6-2 in the breaker and missed a few (shots) but Roger is a great champion.

``He fought hard, the fifth set was great tennis. It was fun to watch, it was an epic.''

Sampras insisted he was happy to see Federer claim the record outright, adding on BBC1: ``Roger is a friend, a great player, he's a good guy. He's got 15 now, he could 17, 18 majors when it's all done.

``He's only 27 and he'll contend here for many years, at the US Open, at all the majors, so if he just keeps it going and stays healthy he could go to 18 or 19.

``He's a great guy, he's humble, which I like. He's sort of effortless. It doesn't seem like he's working that hard out there. He just plays at that level so easily. He serves big, he's got a great forehand, his backhand is solid, he's got everything.

``He's got the belief. He's a legend, an icon. He's got 15 majors, that's a lot of work. He's a credit to the game. He's smooth, he's a great athlete.

``I feel bad for Andy, I really do. He was distraught. He's upset, this was his chance, he came up short but Roger, the great ones at the end, he just had a little bit more.''

Laver was also on Centre Court to watch the match and added: ``There was some unbelievable tennis, especially that fifth set, there were more winners than errors and the serving ability of both of them was incredible.

``Roger is one of those people that keeps the ball in play and he comes up with some miraculous forehands and backhands.

``Andy is always a threat because he has that huge serve but he probably got a little tired at the very end. A few mis-hits and a couple of bad bounces and you're in trouble.''

Bjorn Borg believes Federer can go on to win even more grand slams, adding: ``Right now he has 15, for sure he's going to play at least another three years and I think the key thing is to stay away from injuries.

``If you stay healthy I think he can win quite a few more grand slams. He is still eager to win, every time he walks on the court he is very professional. He gives 100% every time he plays so you are going to see him in many more finals.''

end

PA SPORT

WHAT THEY SAID TODAY ABOUT FEDERER

Rod Laver: ``Roger's got too many shots, too much talent in one body. It's hardly fair that one person can do all this - his backhands, his forehands, volleys, serving, his court position... the way he moves around the court, you feel like he's barely touching the ground, and that's the sign of a great champion.''

Pete Sampras: ``I'm a fan of how he plays, what he's about... he's a class guy on and off the court. He's fun to watch. Just his athletic ability, what he's able to do on the run. I think he can and will break every tennis record out there.''

Bjorn Borg: ``He simply does not have any more weaknesses left in him. It is such a pleasure to see him play. To me, Roger Federer is the right model for anyone aspiring to be a tennis player. It is such a pleasure to just watch him play. His shot-making has got better and I doubt there is any shot he cannot make in any part of the court.''

Jimmy Connors: ``[in the modern game], you're a clay-court specialist, a grass-court specialist or a hard-court specialist... or you're Roger Federer.''

John McEnroe: ``He's the most gifted player that I've ever seen in my life. I've seen a lot of people play. I've seen the (Rod) Lavers, I played against some of the great players - the Samprases, Beckers, Connors, Borgs, you name it. This guy could be the greatest of all time. That, to me, says it all.''

Mats Wilander: ``I'd like to be in his shoes for one day to know what it feels like to play that way.''

Tim Henman: ``I don't think there's anyone that hits the ball like that. Sure, if you take Roddick's serve and (Andre) Agassi's returns and my volleys and (Lleyton) Hewitt's speed and tenacity, then you've probably got a good chance against Federer.''

Tiger Woods: ``What he's done in tennis, I think, is far greater than what I've done in golf.''

Tracy Austin: ``I've never enjoyed watching someone playing tennis as much as Federer. I'm just in awe. Pete Sampras was wonderful but he relied so much on his serve, whereas Roger has it all, he's just so graceful, elegant and fluid - a symphony in tennis whites. Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal.''

Serena Williams: ``Roger is obviously a pinnacle athlete across all sports and he just does a great job. He's so graceful out there. I love watching him play. I learn so much from him.''

Andy Roddick (on Federer's 21 consecutive grand slam semi-finals): ``It's almost impossible. That's one of the most impressive stats that we'll see in tennis.''

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Rovermatt Champions League

Rovermatt

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I was gutted for Roddick; he looked so haunted at the end. But I am pleased to see Federer cement his place as the greatest of them all. Roddick played out of his skin and going so long without dropping his serve was some feat. Unfortunately for him however, he was playing the finest player in history, who simply would not be beaten.

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