Roger Federer completed a sweep of all four Grand Slam titles on Sunday after beating Swede Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4 to lift his first French Open trophy.
The Swiss second seed, braced himself to cope with mounting expectations after the shock exit of four time winner Rafael Nadal, took what was believed to be his best chance to crown in Paris.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the trophy in the awarding ceremony after winning the men's final against Robin Soderling of Sweden at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on June 7, 2009. [Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei] |
Giant killer Soderling had produced one of the biggest upsets in this sport by preventing clay king Nadal from breaking his compatriot Bjorn Berg's record of five but failed to stop Federer in the final showdown.
While playing without his usual composure, the No. 23 seed took credit for putting on a real fight in the second set in which he earned a tiebreak only to lose 7-1.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a ball to Swedish player Robin Soderling during their French Open tennis men's final match at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on June 7, 2009. [Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei] |
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Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after winning his men's final against Robin Soderling of Sweden at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on June 7, 2009.[Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei] |
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?Roger Federer of Switzerland (L) is congratulated by former U.S. tennis champion Andre Agassi in the awarding ceremony after winning the men's final against Robin Soderling of Sweden at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on June 7, 2009. [Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei] |
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Roger Federer of Switzerland(R) talks to Robin Soderling of Sweden after winning the champion at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on June 7, 2009.[Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei] |
(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2009)
