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Grand Slam Federer storms to French Open glory
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-08 09:02 His service game crumbled again in the seventh game as Federer claimed the opening set. It had taken just 23 minutes with the Swiss losing just two points on serve. The final was then delayed by a worrying security breach during the fourth game of the second set with Federer ahead 2-1. A spectator, dressed in red, waved a flag of the Barcelona football club in the world number two's face before he was wrestled off Court Philippe Chatrier by security guards.
But the Swiss star wasn't disrupted from his elegant stride, either by the intruder or the rain which started to steadily fall. Although Soderling slowly rediscovered his service power, it was Federer who was comfortably dictating the points and he fired down four aces in the tie-break to open up a two-sets lead. He was a break ahead in the third set to lead 1-0 before Soderling carved out, and squandered, his first break point of the match in the fourth game.
He came out to serve for a place in history but faltered to 30-40 with a wild, running forehand. With pregnant wife Mirka looking anxiously on, he averted the crisis and went to match point with a confident volley and claimed victory when Soderling netted a service return after 1hr 55min on court. A tearful Federer slumped to the Paris clay in celebration as he secured his place as arguably the greatest player of all time. |
