Finally Roger Federer wins French Open, ties Pete Sampras’ record

On his fourth try at Roland Garros, Federer finally won the French Open to become the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam championships.

Federer beat surprise finalist Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, matching Pete Sampras’ record.

Something bizarre happened during the match when a spectator waving a flag climbed through the photographer’s pit and onto Federer’s side of the court.

That crazy fan caught up with Federer and tried to put a hat on Federer’s head.

The security was just as poor as the Australian Open. Security personnel reaction was too slow before they chased the man to the other side of the court and brought him down and out of the court.

Coming back to Federer, after hitting a service winner on championship point, he fell on his knees to the clay that had vexed him for so long, screamed and briefly buried his face in his hands.

He was teary by the time he met Soderling at the net, and the crowd gave Federer a standing ovation as he raised his arms in triumph.

From left to right: Wimbledon 2003, Australian Open 2004, Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2004, Wimbledon 2005, US Open 2005, Australian Open 2006, Wimbledon 2006, US Open 2006, Australian Open 2007, Wimbledon 2007, US Open 2007, 2008 and French Open 2009.

Federer won his 14th Grand Slam championship at age 27.

Sampras, who never reached a French Open final, was 31 when he won his last major title.

Federer will try for no.15 beginning in two weeks at Wimbledon, which he has won five times.

(Via AP; Images by AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal out of Queen's Club, in doubt for Wimbledon

Too bad, Nadal will not defend that huge Aegon Championships trophy this year.

Spanish sports newspaper 'Marca reported that Rafael Nadal could miss Wimbledon because of a knee injury.

Toni Nadal, the reigning Wimbledon champion's uncle and coach, said the 23-year-old had a damaged right knee and was doubtful for the Grand Slam which starts on June 22.

"We have taken him out of the Queen's tournament (June 8-14) and will do everything possible to get him there, but this is subject to medical tests," Toni Nadal said.

"There is something wrong with his knee but right now we are uncertain what the problem is," he added.

The latest injury scare is said not connected with the persistent tendonitis suffered by the player.

Nadal is currently resting at his home town of Manacor on the island of Mallorca and will undergo detailed medical tests from Monday.

(Via AFP)

Leander Paes, Lukas Dlouhy win French Open men's doubles

Leander Paes celebrated his ninth Grand Slam doubles! Seems like this guy never slow down!

Paes teamed with Lukas Dlouhy to capture the French Open title with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman.

It was 35-year-old Paes's fifth men's doubles Grand Slam. He has also won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, including the 2003 Wimbledon and Australian Open trophies with Martina Navratilova.

Navratilova was spotted at the stand sitting next to Bill Gates.

"Martina has been a soulmate for many years. We've been through a lot in life, especially me in the last eight years. She's been along with me, supporting me, guiding me at times," said Paes.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't play, she basically stayed away from the game and didn't play mixed doubles until I came back."

"Whenever I look at a person like Navratilova, she gives me a lot of inspiration. It was strange that just at the end of the second set when we were getting a bit nervous and a bit edgy, she came out there and was just making eye contact."

"Lukas served three doubles faults early in the third set. I told him at one point, Martina is out there. Come on. Have a look at her. She's inspiring us."

Paes and Dlouhy first teamed up at Roland Garros last year, losing in the last 16 to eventual champions Pablo Cuevas and Luis Horna.

They then finished runners-up to Mike and Bob Bryan in the 2008 US Open final.

"We started playing together at Roland Garros last year. We lost then to the champions so we made it a point that we would come back and try and win it this year," added Paes.

Judging from the way they celebrated their win by hugging and hoisting each other into the air, they'll probably stick around for more Grand Slam moments like this.

In the women's doubles, Spaniards Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual won their second consecutive French Open women's doubles title by beating Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1 on Friday.


(Via AP; Images by Patrick Kovarik/Matthew Stockman/AFP/Getty Images)

Svetlana Kuznetsova wins French Open title‎

World no.1 and no.1 seed Dinara Safina could be a heavy favourite to win at Roland Garros final but Svetlana Kuznetsova has the experience when it comes to winning a Grand Slam.

Kuznetsova had waited nearly five years to win her second major tennis championship.

She captured the 2004 U.S. Open championship at the age of 19 after beating Elena Dementieva.

Last night, also against her fellow compatriot, Kuznetsova defeated Safina 6-4, 6-2 in just 74 minutes without breaking a sweat!

“I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, losing to the winners,” Kuznetsova, a 23-year-old from St. Petersburg, said in her bubbly English on Philippe Chatrier court when accepting the trophy.

“I had been playing many matches, and this time it happened. Really, I didn’t expect it to happen this year."

Steffi Graf, a six-time French Open champion, was on hand to present Kuznetstova the trophy on court.

After thanking the crowd and her family, Kuznetsova praised her fellow countrywoman, Safina, and said that one day she would get that first major championship.

“I guess today I played a little better,” she said.

“I am sorry for that.”

(Via nytimes.com; Images via Yahoo! Sports)