PARIS - Roger Federer wrote more tennis history as he defeated Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 Sunday, finally winning the French Open title to become the sixth man in tennis history to win all four majors.
Federer also joined Pete Sampras as the biggest winner ever in the sport.
The world number two spent just under two hours in dicey weather conditions, shrugging off the intrusion of a man who ran onto the court after the third game of the second set and tried to place a French revolution tricolor cap on the Swiss’s head before being tackled hard and carried off by four security men.
The victory over the Swede, who paved the away for Federer by eliminating four-time champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, was an exercise in efficiency for Federer, who fired 16 aces but had to earn the breakthrough win in light rain and a stiff wind.
Federer joined Sampras on 14 career majors and also became only the sixth man to win all four Grand Slams in a career. He joined Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as winners of all four majors.
Andre Agassi, on hand for the trophy presentation, was the last man to do it, completing his sweep a decade ago at Roland Garros.
“This is just incredible,” said an overjoyed Federer. “Soderling - who knocked out four-time champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round - was the surprise of the event.
“The crowd was incredible. Without doubt this was a great victory for me. I’m so glad I won.
“My private life (his child will be born in late summer) and my tennis life are going so well. This surely one of the best wins of my career.”
Federer was playing in his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final as he won his 59th trophy, with only nine of those coming on clay.
“Roger really gave me a lesson on how to play tennis today,” said the good-natured Soderling, ranked 25th and never past the third round of a previous Grand Slam.
“You really are the greatest player of history, you really deserved to win this tournament.”
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