Federer wins 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14.
Game, set & match for Federer! Roddick sends his third shot this game off the frame and out and Roger has done it, through sheer persistence more than anything.
Advan Federer: Roddick charges to get a dropshot, but can't keep it in. Championship point for Roger.
Deuce 2: Again, Roger gets one back and a Roddick mistake.
Advan Roddick: But that may be enough here - Roger can't get that one in.
Deuce: Roddick mishits a backhand off the frame again - he's punch-drunk, only his serves are getting him through.
40-30: And two more monster serves that Roger can't get back.
15-30: Massive serve down the middle from Roddick. It's keeping him in it.
0-30: Roddick mishits again and his forehand sails off the frame and out.
0-15: Roger's return pushes Roddick behind the baseline and his shot finds the net.
15-14 Federer: Two huge serves sort out that one and Fed still looks fresh on his feet.
30-0: Roddick finds the net with the first return and then Roger ends an energetic rally with - guess what? - a crosscourt forehand winner.
14-14. Two major pressure serves from Roddick don't come back and the American is safe again.
30-30: Strong fightback as Roddick pushes into the net and sends Roger into the corner.
15-30: Tired-looking mistake from Roddick as he just plain misses a short forehand.
15-15: Roger lets him off the hook by slicing a return off the second serve into the tramlines.
0-15: Roddick pushes a backhand wide in the first exchange.
14-13 Federer: Roger holds to love with a succession of big, hairy serves. The pressure is very much on Roddick over the last few games, but he's fighting it off with Spartan resistance.
13-13. And Roger can't get the next one back over. Where will it end?
Advan Roddick: But there's another massive pressure serve from the American.
Deuce: The old reliable - the crosscourt forehand from Roger - brings it to deuce.
40-30: An unreturnable serve gives Roddick the lead, but Roger sends him all over the baseline and Roddick finds the net.
30-15: Roddick answers with two crosscourt forehand winners of his own.
0-15: Fed blasts a forehand winner into the corner after a fierce exchange.
13-12 Federer: Make that three aces.
40-30: Which he does with two aces.
15-30: Two forehands go long from Fed and he needs to dig himself out of a hole.
12-12. Bang goes that theory - Roddick burns up the court with four huge serves and it's back to Roger.
12-11 Federer: Three aces in a row to close out that game - Federer looking calm and in control again. Roddick, dare I say it, is beginning to look bothered by this impasse.
11-11. And another unreturnable sees Roddick move level once again.
Advan Roddick: Big serve. Huge. Massive.
Deuce: Roddick pulls another one into the tramlines and it's pressure time.
40-30: Roger mishits one wide, but then Roddick does the same.
30-15: An ace levels it up, but Roger wins the next groundstroke exchange, Roddick dumping a backhand into the net.
15-0: Great rally, each player sending the other around the baseline, but Fed chips his approach too long.
11-10 Federer: And two more lightning bolt serves down the line sort out that game.
30-15: Amazing rally - Roddick gets to a Federer dropshot, but Fed can't get it back into the open court. There's definitely more action in the Federer service games.
10-10: Smoking hot winner from the baseline from Roddick, followed by another ace and an unreturnable serve. No way through there.
15-15: Fed can't get the first one back, but the return on the second point is too hot for Roddick.
10-9 Federer: Hawkeye gives Federer the game - his serve clipping the line and it's back to the drawing board for Roddick.
40-30: Fed starts out his service game with a listless, long backhand, but a serious winner to the corner and an ace get him back in front.
9-9. Two bad, tired-looking baseline errors from Federer give Roddick an easy ride in that game. Forced to call a winner now, Roddick looks the stronger of the pair. Which means he'll lose.
9-8 Federer: Roddick pushes his next two approaches long and Roger gets out of jail. That was a huge save and Roddick will feel that he's missed a chance there.
Deuce: Two massive serves, one yielding a drive volley and he ties it up. That's champion's play.
15-40: Backhand winner up the line and it's two break points for Roddick.
15-30: Roger replies with a big serve, but then Roddick ups his game and pushes Roger back, forcing the error.
0-15: Another cracking forehand winner by Roddick give him an early sniff.
8-8: Big serve again and a clever forehand winner grant Roddick the game - that was quick and easy.
30-15: Two powerful serves from Roddick to take the lead, but a forehand error hands Roger a lifeline.
8-7 Federer: No - titanic smash from behind the baseline under huge pressure, then a fantastic volley from the body and an ace.
15-15. Strong forehand winner to start from Federer, but then a double fault. Is it unravelling for the Swiss maestro?
7-7. Roddick holds to 30, but Roger seems to be tightening up - three mistakes in that game and he failed to take a chance there.
40-15: A mistake from Roddick gives Federer a point, but two bad errors from the baseline when presented with openings by Roger hand the advantage back to the American.
7-6 Federer: A big forehand winner and a monster serve push Roger one ahead. In this scenario, there's more pressure on Roddick, who must serve every time to stay in the match. But he's handling it extremely well so far.
30-30: Two big serves from Roger give him a lead, but then a lazy forehand that sailed out and a lucky net chord from Roddick see him level it up.
6-6: Very impressive from Roddick - another rally there and he flashes a backhand drive past the advancing Federer.
15-15: That's what the crowd paid to see - some tennis at last. Awesome pick-up half-volley from Roger, Roddick gets to it and flips it over, but Roger calmly dispatches it into the open court.
6-5 Federer: And then an ace. This could go on for a while, but someone will have to crack eventually. Remember no tie-break in the fifth set at Wimbledon.
40-15: Three serves from Roger don't come back, but then - gasp! - a rally and Roger sends one long.
5-5. Another ace and a comfortable finish and it's all square again.
30-0: Ace and an unreturnable give Andy a quick head-start.
Roddick serving to stay in the match. Crikey.
5-4 Federer. Three aces and it's another effortless hold from Federer - this is monotonous, but also tense as all hell.
4-4. Roddick employs bodyline tactics - blasting his serve directly at Roger. And it works, hold to 15.
4-3 Federer: And Roger holds to 15. This is pretty unstoppable serving at this stage of the match from both players. Something's got to give, but I couldn't say what or who. Or which, how or when.
3-3: Roddick holds to 30, continuing his display of relentless serving prowess.
3-2 Federer: Ungettable crosscourt forehand and a couple of aces hand Roger another rapid hold.
2-2: Love hold for Roddick - he needed that after the last couple of dodgy service games.
30-0 Roddick: The answer to that, so far, is no. Two rockets for a quick lead.
2-1 Federer: Quick hold in reply from Federer. Let's see if he can keep up the pressure on Roddick's serve, which is gradually beginning to prove less effective.
1-1. A lazy slice into the net from Roger hands the game to Roddick. Good hold.
Advan Roddick: Two strong serves under pressure - again - give Roddick the upper hand.
30-40: Break point now after Roger produces a sublime backhand pass.
30-30: Another fine rally - Roger is starting to get the serves back into play again and challenging Roddick to live with in from the baseline.
15-15: Great baseline exchange and it's Roger who outlasts Roddick on this occasion. But now, at last, they really have all the shackles off and are blasting it at each other.
1-0 Federer: Strong hold from the five times champion at the start of the final set.
40-15 Fed: Roddick's fall seemingly didn't affect him - he's going full pelt to try and get a Roger dropshot. He fails, but he's moving fine.
This is awesome play from Andy Roddick - he refuses to fold, plays the pressure points extremely well and is keeping his serve and groundstrokes to an exceptionally high standard. Some more mistakes from Federer may have let him back in, but the sheer determination of the American is truly impressive.
Game and fourth set Roddick: Unreturnable serve from the American and we're going to the deciding set on Centre Court.
40-30: Two mistakes from Roger - off the frame and out, and an approach into the net - great comeback from Roddick.
15-30: Excellently placed half-volley winner from Roddick.
0-30: Roddick serving for the set, and Roger turns the screw. Mistake from Roddick and a wicked winner to the corner.
5-3 Roddick: Game Federer - thunderous forehand winner.
30-0: Fed starts with an ace and then Roddick takes a tumble stretching for a Fed winner - he seems shaken, but unhurt.
5-2 Roddick: Ace from Roddick and he's looking pretty good to take it to five sets. Few would've predicted this.
40-30: Fantastic rally - both men trading backhands from the baseline, but once it switched to Roddick's forehand, he produced a terrific winner.
30-30: Roddick comes out swinging, but a double fault lets Roger back in.
4-2 Roddick: Fed holds - three aces in that game. But now he really needs to attack Roddick's seemingly impenetrable serve.
40-30 Fed: Three great serves make it 40-0, but Roddick digs out a stunning forehand to put some pressure on Roger.
4-1 Roddick: Roddick bangs a forehand into the corner and that's game - Roger seems a little downbeat all of a sudden, while the American is bouncing around again.
Advan Roddick: Sweet dropshot off a half-volley from Roddick - Roger gets there but can't get it back.
Deuce: Roasting forehand into the corner leaves Roddick standing and it's deuce.
40-30: Another forehand into the net from Roger.
30-30: Two mistakes from Fed on Roddick's serve, but two winners counter that.
3-1 Roddick: Break for the American - terrific backhand down the line and Roger, at the net, can't get it over. Huge moment for Roddick - he's right back in it.
30-40: Ace down the middle accounts for one.
15-40: Good approach and a strong finish from the net - two break points for Roddick.
15-30: Two backhand slices into the net from Roger and Roddick must capitalise on this.
2-1 Roddick. But he's holding serve with ease, to love there. He still hasn't been broken in the whole match. But he's losing. It's a funny old game.
1-1. Roddick is throwing it all at Roger, but to no avail. It's all coming back, with interest, or Roddick eventually misses in the baseline exchanges.
30-30. A double fault from Federer gives Roddick an opening, but a strong forehand finish ties it up.
1-0 Roddick. The American takes the opening game of the fourth set to 30 by holding his ground behind the baseline - perhaps all those passing shots are taking their toll on his net-based tactics.
Roddick has played really, really well after the kick in the guts that was the second set tie-break loss. He's still serving very well - although there are fewer first serves going in - but his groundstrokes are not as lethal as they were early on.
Added to that, Roger is starting to conjure up the occasional magical winner and although it's still tight, I now think Federer won't relinquish his lead.
Game and third set Federer - huge forehand into the corner and an emphatic finish from the net means Roger is ahead.
6-5 Federer: Two big serves and it's down to one set point for Roger.
6-3 Federer: Roddick thought he had Roger there, but a cheeky dropshot and whipped winner sees three set points for Federer.
5-3 Federer: Another excellent shot into the corner is too good for Roger, brave sutff from Roddick.
5-2 Federer: Solid stuff from Roddick, in he comes and he finishes strongly into the corner.
5-1 Federer: Forehand into the corner from Roger - too much for the American. Long way back.
4-1 Federer: Serve's too good - big advantage to Roger.
3-1 Federer: Wow - stunning forehand crosscourt pass from Roger as Roddick comes in.
2-1 Federer: Mini-break for Roger as Roddick's slice finds the net.
1-1: Snap - Roger does the same.
1-0 Federer: Roddick sends his baseline shot long.
6-6 tie-break: Roger misses into the net and we're back in tie-break town. Huge.
40-30: Another powerhouse of a serve puts Roddick back in the driving seat.
30-30: Ace from the American.
15-30: Roddick's approach hits the net, giving Federer the time to power a forehand pass down the line.
15-15. Fed misses the second serve return, but Roddick double faults to tie up this vital game.
6-5 Federer: Three big serves and a perfect serve & volley give Federer tha game and Roddick has to serve to stay in the set.
5-5. Roger dumps an attempted winner into the net and it's game Roddick.
40-30: Again really brave play from Roddick, thumps an approach right to the baseline, comes in and finishes at the net.
30-30: Two towering serves get Roddick off to a good start, but once the rallys start - it's all Fed.
5-4 Federer: Scorching forehand winner into the corner and a Federer special - crosscourt forehand winner are enough to take the advantage at the business end of the third set.
4-4. Another ace - that's 15 - and a strong finish at the net ties it up.
30-15 Roddick: Two quick points for the American, but a mistake at the net lets Roger back in.
4-3 Federer: Imperious winner from the net by Roger and another poor return from Roddick means it's game seven to the Swiss.
30-0 Federer: Roddick sends a return long and Roger's 20th ace moves him ahead.
3-3. Really important hold from Roddick.
Advan Roddick: Again great play at the net from the American, Roger blasts one right at him and Roddick digs out a terrific volley.
Deuce 2: Roddick charges the net off a weak approach and Roger punishes him with a simple pass.
Advan Roddick: Brave net play from Roddick, great depth on his volley.
Deuce: Big serve when he needs it from Roddick.
30-40. Break point for Fed after a bad error by Roddick - chipping an approach well long.
30-30. Crosscourt forehand winner from Roger - he's heating up folks, the momentum is swinging and so on.
30-15. Scandalously high quality volley from Roger kills a tough crosscourt shot stone dead over the net.
30-0 Roddick. Two mistakes from the baseline by Roger hand Roddick a quick lead in this game.
3-2 Federer. Terrific backhand down the line from Roddick earns him a point, but that's all as Roger comes into the net and finishes one, then two Roddick errors off the serve end the game.
2-2. Game Roddick - another barrage of unreturnable serves from Roddick ties it up quickly and efficiently.
2-1 Federer. An ace sees out that game. Back to business as usual in the early part of the set from these two execllent serving machines.
30-0 Fed. Another blistering backhand to Roddick's feet as the American comes into the net.
1-1. Game Roddick as he blasts a forehand winner down the line. That'll settle him.
30-0 Roddick. Great get and finishing forehand from the net from Roddick.
1-0 Federer. Another strong serve and it's game Roger.
40-15. Fed leaves a dropshot too loose and Roddick blasts his return right at Federer. Fair game - it's the right shot and will get rid of some frustration perhaps.
40-0. Three great serves and Fed takes the advantage.
Roddick shows that he's somewhat shellshocked by that turnaround - he goes to the wrong end to start the third set.
I was thinking as Roddick took a commanding lead in the tie-break how seemingly immune to pressure the American was. but no, two key errors after Roger clawed him back lost him that tie-break, coupled with the outrageous bravery of Federer.
That was nothing short of amazing - Roger saved four set points in a row and then won the next two - six points in succession - to steal the second set from under Roddick's nose.
Game and second set Federer - a roar of delight from the Swiss - Roddick sends a backhand way out and hands the set to Roger.
7-6 Federer. Huge forehand approach from Roddick, but Roger digs out a brilliant winner to Roddick's feet.
6-6. Roddick misses his first serve and sends an easy backhand volley way, way wide. Four set points saved by Roger.
6-5 Roddick. And an ace means Roddick only has one more set point.
6-4 Roddick. Great serve wide gets him one back.
6-3 Roddick. Amazing backhand winner from Roger - now he has two serves to get back in it.
6-2 Roddick. Excellent play from Roddick - massive forehand into the corner again - Roger gets there, but floats the return back for an easy volley from Roddick.
5-2 Roddick. Good serve from Roger, but it's still a long way back.
5-1 Roddick. Rally this time, and Roddick thunders a forehand into the corner that Roger just can't handle.
4-1 Roddick. And another ace - Roddick has a big lead here.
3-1 Roddick. Another serve that's too good from the American.
2-1 Roddick. Federer's unreturnable serve gets him on the board.
2-0 Roddick. Mini-break as Fed sends one off the frame, after a Roddick ace to start.
6-6 tie-break. Game Fed, and ít's tie-break time - Roddick has a quite amazing record in tie-breaks. He's won 26 this year and only lost four.
40-15. From the security of 40-0 up, Roger tries a dropshot from the baseline which finds the net.
40-0. Sweet backhand winner to the corner from the service line, followed by two aces put Fed in control.
6-5 Roddick. Powerful finishing from Roddick and he holds - now Fed, again, has to hold to stay in the set.
40-15. Some more rallys in this Roddick service game, but Fed pushes his backhand wide.
5-5. Game Fed after a 20+ stroke rally - the best of the match - with a dropshot from Roddick snared by Fed, who dinks it back at an unreachable angle to hold his serve.
40-30. Excellent finish, sending Roddick the wrong way from the net gives Fed some relief.
30-30. A wicked low return from Roddick that's too good for Fed and a double fault mean Fed is under pressure.
30-0 Fed. Long baseline rally with Fed finding great length, followed by an ace give Roger the advantage.
5-4 Roddick. And another unreturnable serve from the American sees him win another easy service game. Fed now must to stay in the second set.
40-15 Roddick. Three thunderbolts and it's 40-0, but Roddick sends a shot off the frame.
4-4. Quick hold again from Federer. But he needs to apply some pressure to Roddick's serve to make an impression on the match.
Well shut my mouth - my prediction of an easy Federer win are out the window as Roddick is matching him every step of the way. And by taking his chance when it came, Roddick's marginally ahead - but if he continues at this standard, that marginal advantage may be enough.
4-3 Roddick. A few more rockets from Roddick's racket and that's game. I thought Roger had the measure of his opponent's serve, but that's certainly not the case now.
15-15. Roddick powers down a winning serve, but then Roger produces a magical forehand crosscourt winner to level it.
3-3. Fed holds without breaking a sweat.
30-0 Fed. Again, effortless so far for the server, in this case Roger.
3-2 Roddick. Two more unreturnable serves and that's game. The first set looks dead set for a tie-break early on, but then Roddick snuck that one at the death. There'll be chances, but to who? Or whom?
30-15. Another double fault from Roddick, but he's still on top in the game.
2-2. Federer holds easily. It's back to the pattern of the first set early on, as both players are holding comfortably.
30-0. That's terrific play from Federer - he leaves a backhand short and entices Roddick to the net, then passes him effortlessly.
2-1 Roddick. Another solid approach to the corner and Fed dumps his attempted pass into the net.
40-30. Great approach and clinical backhand volley from Roddick.
30-30. Rocket to the body levels up the game.
15-30. Roddick's first double fault.
15-15. Ace from Roddick, then Fed's return is too hot to handle.
1-1. An ace and an error from Roddick at the end of a long baseline rally sees Fed cruise to an easy hold.
30-0 Fed. Stunning forehand into the corner from Roger, then a serve & volley off his second serve sees him go ahead.
1-0 Roddick. And another ace - Roddick is motoring. Let's see if he can maintain the pressure against Roger's serve.
40-15. Ace, then another winning serve and Roddick is cruising.
15-15. Strong Roddick serve, then a forehand from Roger's too good.
That came out of nowhere - after four break points in the previous game which Roger couldn't convert, Roddick gets one shot on the previously impenetrable Fed serve and seizes it to claim the first set. Game on.
7-5 Roddick. Wow - Federer pushes a backhand slice wide and two errors under pressure hand Roddick the first set.
30-40. Break point against Fed now as Roddick applies some pressure of his own.
15-30. And Fed has an easy winner down the line - but he sends it wide. Tightening up as he serves to stay in the set?
15-15. Fed opens with a winning serve, but Roddick claws back an amazing winner from the corner to tie it up.
That was close for Roddick - Fed seems to have gotten the measure of the American's serve. He is getting all the first serves back into play and put some serious pressure on Roddick there, but credit to the Yank, he held firm.
6-5 Roddick. A brave hold as Roddick blasts Fed into the corner with a strong forehand.
Advan Roddick. Chance to hold as Fed pushes his return long again.
Deuce 5: Fed challenges again - his return is ruled long.
Advan Fed: Fourth chance for the Swiss as he blasts a forehand winner past Roddick.
Fed powers a forehand into the corner - a certain winner - but Roddick challenges and it is out. Back to deuce.
Advan Fed: Excellent whipped forehand approach puts Roddick under pressure and he finds the net again.
Deuce 3: Serve is too much for Fed and we're back to egalité.
Advan Fed. Break point number two as Roddick makes another error - sliced backhand into the net.
Deuce 2: But Fed passes him this time with a stunning backhand.
Advan Roddick. Great play from the American under pressure, he charges the net and his volley is right into the corner.
Deuce. Fed challenges the call, but his return is marginally out.
30-40. Great baseline rally and a slice just over the net outfoxes Roddick who finds the net. Break point.
30-30. Two blistering serves sort out that mess.
0-30 Roddick. Uh-oh. Two unforced errors from the baseline by Roddick and Fed sniffs a chance.
5-5. Fed holds easily. This smells of tie-break.
30-0. Shot of the match - Fed digs out an amazing half-volley off the deck and floats it barely over the net.
15-0. Good baseline rally, but Roddick's backhand down the line is in the tramlines.
5-4 Roddick. Another unreturnable serve to the body and Roddick wins another. Now he must really strive to put pressure on the Federer serve.
40-0 Roddick. Two aces and a strong finish from the net sees the American in control.
4-4. Followed, of course, by an ace. But the amount of first serves in so far from both players has been very impressive and neither player has faced any pressure on their serve. Yet.
40-15. First double fault of the match from Fed.
30-0 Fed. Unreturnable serve and then a powerful approach from the Swiss allows him to come in and finish with the volley.
4-3 Roddick. Two more strong serves and Roddick holds.
30-15. Roddick is really holding his own from the baseline and pressures Fed into a mistake.
0-15 Roddick. Point of the match so far, as Roddick reads Fed's pass down the line and produces a great volley, but Fed runs it down and just squeezes it past the American.
3-3. Glorious one-handed backhand sends Roddick wide and his get is not up to scratch.
30-15. Two serves down the middle and he's back in front.
0-15 Fed. Another Fed charge into the net, another super backhand pass from Roddick. That tactic is not working.
3-2 Roddick. Blistering return to the corner from Fed and he charges the net, but Roddick fashions a superb backhand pass again - he's holding his own in the groundstrokes so far.
40-30. Outstanding backhand get from Fed is too much for Roddick to handle at the net.
30-15 Roddick. Fed manoeuvres to get onto his forehand and claims the point. But then Roddick conjures up a sweet forehand pass on the next to reclaim the advantage.
2-2. Four excellent serves from the Swiss and it's even Stephens.
Big applause in the crowd as Pete Sampras strolls into the Royal Box - his first appearance here since he last played in 2001. He joins other former greats Ilie Nastase, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg.
2-1 Roddick. Two more powerhouse serves and it's so far a very strong showing from the American serve - no nerves here.
30-0 Roddick. The Yank digs out an impressive backhand pass down the line.
1-1. Fed throws down an unreturnable serve to tie it up.
30-15. Two aces for the very underrated Fed serve. He hasn't got the pace of Roddick, but he has such accuracy as to be almost as effective.
0-15. Our first rally and Roddick stands up tall. Fed drops a forehand into the net.
1-0 Roddick. Another ace and it's a very impressive hold early doors for the American.
30-15. Fed cracks a backhand down the line, but Roddick's first ace - the first of many - settles things down.
15-0 Roddick. An unreturnable thunderbolt to kick things off.
14.09: Let's be having it - we are underway. Best of order. Good luck to both men.
14.08: In the BBC commentary box. we have Andrew Castle, Tim Henman and three-time champ Boris Becker. So only one with any credibility.
14.06: Roddick pracitcing his smashes at the net. I suspect he's seriously considering trying to take Fed out now with a well-directed groin shot. He'd still lose.
14.05: Celeb spotting in the crowd - Woody Allen and his child bride are here, Russell Crowe is brooding there too - hopefully he'll hit someone. All in jest of course.
14.03: Warm-up time and Fed continues to sport the long white trousers as he knocks up. Ludicrous.
14.02: Coin toss - Roddick wins and elects to serve. 1-1.
14.01: Here we go - the players are hanging around at the entrance, Andy an eager beaver in his game gear, kicking his feet, full of energy, while Roger looks ultra-calm in his all-white suit, hands in pockets. 1-0 to Roger already.
14.00: Easy pot shot at the tennis-loving crooner out of the way, it’s almost time to get busy with the main event. I’ll endeavour to keep up with play as much as my below par typing skills will allow, but inevitably I’ll miss out on some points as Roddick continues his policy of serving like he’s left something on the grill back in the dressing room. To explain that laboured analogy, he flakes through his service game ridiculously fast and it’ll be tough for me to keep up with him.
One thing we won’t have to endure this year is rain delays. Last year I had to verbally tap dance for hours as Poseidon or whoever laid down serious precipitation during the men’s decider. This year we have the fairly spectacular roof to protect the match from any such nonsense. Happy days.
13.59: Roddick has been playing terrific tennis this year, but has lost to Roger three times this season alone – in Australia, Miami and Madrid. Much as I’d like to think the new and improved Roddick will make a match of it today, I strongly suspect that Federer will continue to dominate him. In fact, I’d go so far as to refer to the American as a snowball and Centre Court to be the residence of an infamous horned demon. Not Cliff Richard.
13.58: There’s no question that Roger is less invincible than he was a couple of years ago. Since last year’s epic, incomparable final, when he lost in five sets to Rafael Nadal on Centre Court, Roger has won the US Open and – finally – the French title. He did lose another stunning match in the Australian to Rafa, but the Spaniard is not around SW19 this year and Roger has been cruising past opponents with the nonchalance of yore.
13.57: But the statistics that matter most spell serious trouble for the American. Roger Federer holds an 18-3 record against Roddick and it’s 3-0 on grass. Plus Roger can see his name on the Wimbledon winner’s board five times – and the other ten Grand Slams to boot – whereas Roddick has only claimed one crown at Flushing Meadows.
13.56: One arena that Roddick has and will always have the upper hand on Roger in that of life partners. As the risk of being sexist, Roddick’s bird is smoking hot and Roger’s isn’t anywhere close. She’s so hot she’s making me sexist. And it’s absolutely gas how they got together – Roddick had his agent contact young Brooklyn Decker after he – and millions of other guys – saw her in a swimsuit on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. That’s so far removed from an average human’s life that it’s difficult to process. Certainly beats Match.com or those text lines that are advertised on certain commercial stations.
13.54: Roddick is no mug, and tends to perform very well on grass. He’s a former world number one and made the Wimbledon final in 2004 and 2005, but lost both of those to his opponent today. He’s won the Queen’s Club title (the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event) four times. He’s got the fastest serve in the game – and if it goes in as often as it did against Murray, even the great Federer may struggle to get it back into play.
13.50: The only caveat is that Roddick played quite literally the game of his life on Friday as he mercifully dispatched Andy Murray from SW19, thus sparing us a relentless torrent of jingoistic Rule Britannia nonsense today. For that reason alone, and also the fact that he seems to be a decent skin, I would not begrudge the American his second career Grand Slam win, after the 2003 US Open.
13.48: To clarify, I have most certainly of the opinion that the Swiss gent will add a sixth Wimbledon title to his collection today. In fact, were this any other occasion, I’d simply tell you that Roger has Roddick in his pocket and will crush him in straight sets.
13.46: By the by, the consolation for the runner-up – or as he’s also known, Andy Roddick – for falling at the final hurdle is £425,000 (just under €500,000). Oopsie – have I unveiled my leanings so early? Well there’s my journalistic integrity out the window. Sailing like a majestic Federer crosscourt forehand.
13.44: We await the entrance of our two gladiators – Roger Federer and Andy Roddick – onto Centre Court to do battle for the sizeable winner’s trophy. And the not entirely superfluous prize money of £850,000 (just short of €1,000,000). Of course that’s largely irrelevant as these two men strive to etch their name in the tomes of history with another Grand Slam victory.
13.40: Welcome tennis fans, casual observers and internet lurkers to the men’s final of Wimbledon – the highlight of the sporting calendar for some, undoubtedly the pinnacle of the sport in question.
Commentary by Gavin Keane.
