rogerfederer.com - 7th Grand-Slam for Roger!

7th Grand-Slam for Roger!

Roger overcame an early scare to beat Marcos Baghdatis 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 on Sunday, winning the Australian Open for the second time and capturing his seventh grand slam title!

He reeled off 11 straight games to end the unseeded Cypriot's magical odyssey and reach another landmark on his own relentless march to tennis immortality. Roger became the first man to win three consecutive grand slam titles since American Pete Sampras 12 years ago and the third man to win his first seven grand slam finals. The other two, Richard Sears and William Renshaw, achieved the feat in the 1880s.

Roger was unable to contain his emotions after receiving the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup from Australian Rod Laver, the last player to hold all four major titles simultaneously. "I guess it's all coming out now," said Roger, with tears streaming down his cheeks. "I've had some hard speeches but this one is really tough."

Later, Roger explained that the magnitude of his latest achievement had been overwhelming. "It was a different type of grand slam victory, and I think that's why it was so emotional for me," he said. "I felt very nervous going into the match again. I was incredibly nervous, actually."

Baghdatis had captured the imagination of tennis fans the world over with his fairytale run to the championship match, but the ever-smiling Cypriot was unable to keep pace with Roger once the top seed raised his game. "It's like a dream and I've just woken up at the end," Baghdatis said. "It's been two weeks here that has been fantastic. I'm in the final, I played the final and I lost. It's just amazing."

The 20-year-old made a confident start in his first grand slam final, breaking Roger's serve in the fifth game, then again in the 11th game after handing back the initial break. "I was sweating like crazy because I had to fight so hard on my own service games and I thought, "Well, if this is gonna continue like this, I'll probably lose and a miracle is gonna save me tonight'," Roger said. But he managed to come back show what we know and love him for, playing brilliantly towards the end.

"I'm definitely on a great roll at the moment but don't forget it's been a tough road for me," Roger said."I amaze myself every time I do well. I've been so consistent, winning so many slams, it's quite incredible.

"I'll just try to keep it up, stay healthy and keep enjoying it, because that's what I'm doing, and I think that's what makes me play well. Now I've won them twice each at least it puts the pressure on the French."