Associated Press

Wimbledon, July 3:

Roger Federer strengthened his claim to greatness on Sunday, winning his third consecutive Wimbledon title by beating Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-6, 6-4. With an impeccable performance, even by his high standards, the top-ranked Federer became the third man since 1936 to win three straight Wimbledon crowns, joining seven-time champion Pete Sampras and five-time winner Bjorn Borg. Federer defeated the second-seeded Roddick at Wimbledon for the third year in a row, including the past two finals, and leads the rivalry 9-1. Roddick is 32-0 against everyone else on grass since 2003. Federer won his 21st consecutive final and improved to 5-0 in Grand Slam finals. He became the first man since Tony Trabert in 1953-55 to win his first five major finals. On championship point, Federer hit a service winner, then screamed with joy, fell to his knees, rolled onto his back and covered his face with his hands. He rose and met Roddick with a hug, then raised his arms to the cheering crowd, tears in his eyes.

Federer finished with 49 winners and just 12 unforced errors, an astounding ratio. It’s not just the rivalry with Roddick that underscores Federer’s superiority. In the semi-finals, he easily beat No 2-ranked Lleyton Hewitt for the eighth time in a row.

A rain delay after the second set slowed Federer for only 25 minutes in his pursuit of the title. He has won 36 consecutive matches on grass, including 21 at Wimbledon, since losing to Mario Ancic in the first round here in 2002. Also winning a third title at the All England Club was Venus Williams, who overcame a championship point to beat top-ranked Lindsay Davenport in the women’s final on Saturday. As usual, Federer won with a mixture of precision and power. On one point he placed his serve on a line, hit his second shot on another line, then slammed an overhead winner. He hit 11 aces. At the net, he made even difficult volleys look easy. During one exchange from close range, Roddick rifled three consecutive shots at Federer, who casually responded with graceful volleys, the third a winner. Only Roddick’s big serve kept things close. He had little chance in baseline rallies and tried coming forward, but Federer happily accepted the invitation to tee off on passing shots, hitting 16 for winners.