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Federer wins second Australian Open
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-30 09:25
World number one Roger Federer 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.
Roger Federer of
Switzerland hits a return against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus during the
men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne
January 29, 2006. [Reuters] |
The Swiss 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.
Federer 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.
Only the claycourt French Open continues to elude him, as it did Sampras.
"Obviously, I know the importance of winning the French, what it would do to
my career," Federer told a news conference.
"Now I've won them twice each at least it puts the pressure on the French."
Federer, a model of on-court composure, clawed his way back from losing the
first set and trailing 2-0 in the second.
But he was unable to contain his emotions when he received 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 Federer, with tears streaming down
his cheeks.
"I've had some hard speeches but this one is really tough."
Later, Federer 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."
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