Federer wins record 15th Grand Slam title

Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title Sunday with a five-set victory over Andy Roddick in the finals of the Wimbledon Championships in London.

The Swiss star defeated the American 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14 for his sixth Wimbledon title in seven years. Add in his five U.S. Open titles, three championships at the Australian Open and last month’s French Open won and Federer has passed Pete Sampras for the men’s record for most major tournament championships.

It’s not really one of those goals you set, Federer said after the match. It’s been quite a career and quite a month. It’s definitely one of the greatest (records) to have.

Sampras was in the Royal Box at the All England Club to watch Federer break the record in a match that lasted 4 hours and 48 minutes.

Federer’s win moves him back to No. 1 in the world, replacing Rafael Nadal.

Sunday marked the third consecutive year the men’s final went five sets at Wimbledon. Federer beat Nadal in 2007 and lost to him in 2008. The 30-game fifth set was a major-tournament record.

Federer fired 50 aces against Roddick, who had 27.

Roddick held serve his first 37 games and Federer had break opportunities in just three games. Federer won the first two points of the 38th Roddick service game before Roddick won three straight. Federer then put the game at deuce.

Roddick had the first advantage but Federer pulled even again. When Roddick hit a return long, Federer had his first championship point and when Roddick’s forehand went well out, the championship.

Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open title but has lost his other three Grand Slam finals appearances — all at Wimbledon and all to Federer. He fell to 2-19 lifetime against Federer.