Tennis Wimbledon

NEW YORK (AP) -- Roger Federer and Andy Roddick's epic Wimbledon final last Sunday was the most-viewed men's final at the All England Club in 10 years.

NBC said Thursday that an average of 5.71 million people tuned in to watch Federer win his record-setting 15th Grand Slam title. The number was the highest since Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi in the 1999 final, attracting 5.85 million viewers.

In winning French Open and Wimbledon, Roger Federer has taken the 14th and 15th Grand Slam titles of his career and become the No. 1 men's player of all time in Grand Slam singles titles. But if there's one thing missing from the great 2009 Federer is having, it's that he's won those two Grand Slams without facing his chief rival, Rafael Nadal. And Federer says he hopes that changes at the US Open.

I have never seen such pain in an athlete's eyes. Did you see Andy Roddick's eyes, wide open, and something deep pleading to come out?

"No," he said to the crowd afterward, "I'm one of the lucky few that gets cheered for."

And he thanked the fans.

Yes, Roger Federer had just won Wimbledon. He beat Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14 Sunday for his record-breaking 15th major title.

That's right, the last set was 16-14, or 10 games longer than any previous fifth set in a major. Turns out that while this wasn't quite the drama or quality of last year's final, Rafael Nadal didn't have to be here for a classic Wimbledon. Instead, Pete Sampras, who had won 14 majors, was there. And Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. History came together to watch history being made.

Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick Sunday in an epic five-set Wimbledon men's singles final, a 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 classic that gave Federer an unprecedented 15th Grand Slam singles title.

"I just want to say congratulations to Roger," Roddick said afterward. "He's a true champion and he deserves everything he gets. ... It was a pleasure playing him today."

They have faced off two times in the finals of Wimbledon, with Andy Roddick winning just one set against the most dominant tennis player ever. On Sunday, Roger Federer goes for a record 15th Grand Slam victory, but will have to take out a feisty American that apparently bought a backhand on eBay.

Starting at 9 AM ET, Roddick will try to join Serena Williams for an all American sweep of the singles while Federer will be trying to put himself in a league all by his lonesome.

Swing by for the live chat, and don't forget to wear white. It's the Wimbledon finals, and we will be around to chat about it all morning. (Update: Federer wins following epic fifth set)

Quite frankly, to use her own words, Serena Williams really is the best. She said so a few months ago, when the computer dropped her from the No. 1 ranking, and then embarrassed herself a few times, even losing to a journeyman hours after her self-proclaimed greatness.

But on Saturday, she proved it. She's right. Serena beat her sister, Venus Williams, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 to win Wimbledon.

Serena is the best.

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Serena Williams won the 2009 Wimbledon women's singles final Saturday, beating older sister Venus Williams 7-6, 6-2.

"She was too good," Venus said afterward. "She had an answer for everything and she played the best tennis today. So, congratulations."

America finally has a new men's tennis star.

Andy Roddick.

I know, he's been around forever. But now he's for real. Finally, he has a strategy and a coach and a brain and some actual footwork and speed. And even a backhand. Finally, he's not just a serve, not just a one-stroke gimmick with an empty head.

And finally, he is back in the Wimbledon finals. Roddick won the Battle of Andys Friday, beating Scotland's Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) in the Wimbledon semifinals, and crushing Great Britain's hopes for the first Brit champ since 1936.

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If tennis wants to be taken seriously, then this can't be happening. If you tried to watch the Andy Roddick-Andy Murray Wimbledon semi live Friday, well, good luck.

During the match, ESPN2 was showing last year's Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal final. NBC? Well, the Today Show followed by, in Chicago at least, the Martha Stewart Show. I mean, I'm all for learning how to turn my hydrangeas blue instead of pink, but come on. Can you imagine seeing that during the NFC Championship Game coming to you on tape, a few hours later?

Apparently, that's the plan with Murray-Roddick.

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WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Five-time champion Roger Federer delivered a masterful grass-court performance Friday to beat Tommy Haas in straight sets and reach his seventh straight Wimbledon final, putting him within one win of a record 15th Grand Slam title.

Seeming to get stronger with every match, Federer put on a serving clinic and took advantage of his break-point chances to subdue the 31-year-old German 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 in just over two hours.

Federer never faced a break point as he beat Haas for the ninth straight time to reach his record 20th Grand Slam final, pulling out of a tie with Ivan Lendl.

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