Lot Essay
"I kind of like the 100% record in Grand Slam finals, these are the ones that really count and to have won my favourite tournament twice is incredible. He (Roddick) also deserves this title and I hope we're going to play many more times here." (Roger Federer, BBC Sport, 2004)
Roger would take his impressive form from the Australian Open into the spring and summer of 2004, picking up victories in Dubai, Indian Wells, Hamburg and Halle. He was odds-on favourite to pick up his second Grand Slam by defending his Wimbledon title. However, he would need to bounce back from a third round defeat in the French Open in order to do so.
At the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Roger was looking to become the first player since Pete Sampras (1999-2000) to win back to back titles. He began in sparkling form, defeating Alex Bogdanovic in the first round. Indeed, Federer would only drop two sets en route to the final where he set up a rematch against Andy Roddick who he defeated in the semi-finals, on his way to the title in 2003. The American second seed raced into an early advantage in the 2004 final, taking the first set 6-4 before going a break up in the second. This fast start, coupled with a couple of delays for inclement weather, spurred Roger into action with the Swiss fighting back to win the second and third sets. Roger would go on to save six break points in the fourth set and complete a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 triumph to win his second Grand Slam of the season and his second Wimbledon title.
This victory provided the foundation for one of Roger's many incredible achievements. Including the Wimbledon Championships in 2004, he would reach 23 successive Grand Slam semi-finals, winning 14 of his 20 Grand Slams during this period.
Roger would take his impressive form from the Australian Open into the spring and summer of 2004, picking up victories in Dubai, Indian Wells, Hamburg and Halle. He was odds-on favourite to pick up his second Grand Slam by defending his Wimbledon title. However, he would need to bounce back from a third round defeat in the French Open in order to do so.
At the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Roger was looking to become the first player since Pete Sampras (1999-2000) to win back to back titles. He began in sparkling form, defeating Alex Bogdanovic in the first round. Indeed, Federer would only drop two sets en route to the final where he set up a rematch against Andy Roddick who he defeated in the semi-finals, on his way to the title in 2003. The American second seed raced into an early advantage in the 2004 final, taking the first set 6-4 before going a break up in the second. This fast start, coupled with a couple of delays for inclement weather, spurred Roger into action with the Swiss fighting back to win the second and third sets. Roger would go on to save six break points in the fourth set and complete a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 triumph to win his second Grand Slam of the season and his second Wimbledon title.
This victory provided the foundation for one of Roger's many incredible achievements. Including the Wimbledon Championships in 2004, he would reach 23 successive Grand Slam semi-finals, winning 14 of his 20 Grand Slams during this period.