Federer wins title despite intruder

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:32

The Swiss star equalled Pete Sampras’ record haul of 14 Majors as he clinched his first Roland Garros crown by posting a 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 victory in rainy conditions in Paris.

Federer, the second seed here, joins Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four grand slams.

He fell to his knees and started to cry the moment he clinched the match, after less then two hours’ action.

Federer never looked in danger from the moment he broke 23rd seed Soderling, the fourth-round conqueror of the Swiss’ nemesis Rafael Nadal, in the opening game and he was never broken himself.

The only thing that threatened to derail Federer’s charge to the title was when he was confronted by an invader in the fourth game of the second set.

With security embarrassingly late to react, it could have got nasty but despite being manhandled by the intruder – who was wearing a Switzerland top – Federer was not harmed and, to his credit, was able to shrug off the incident.

The 27-year-old, playing his 19th grand-slam final, could not have wished for a better start under threatening skies. Indeed rain came down for the majority of the match.

Soderling, playing his first Major final, was clearly nervous and his opponent took full advantage.

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