1 Response to wb03federer_philippoussis

1. Voo de Mar says:

   March 12, 2025 at 1:19 pm

   Points won by each set: | 41-35, 26-16, 41-36 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   47 % Federer – 44 of 93
   49 % Philippoussis – 50 of 102

   The last Wimbledon final with both players attacking the net on a regular basis. # Federer’s first major triumph in his 17th Grand Slam appearance as he became the first Swiss man to win a major. Their second match in 2003, a few months before Philippoussis [48] had won in Hamburg on clay in three sets. Federer [5] was forced to play just one ‘deuce’ in his 16 service games. He broke his opponent to build a 4:0 lead in the 2nd set, and wasted break points in two different games of the following set so despite two tie-breaks he had the match under control throughout (three and four points away to lose the tie-break sets). ”I thought I had to throw in the white towel, but somehow I came through and my back got better and my game got better,” said Federer, referring to an injury he suffered in the fourth round. ”It’s just incredible. I don’t know how I did it.” Just like Krajicek in 1996, he dropped his only set in the third round, but generally captured the title easier than the Dutchman, however, had to save set points against Koubek, Lopez and Roddick.

   Federer’s route to his 9th title:
   1 Hyung-Taik Lee 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(2)
   2 Stefan Koubek 7-5, 6-1, 6-1
   3 Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
   4 Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4
   Q Sjeng Schalken 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
   S Andy Roddick 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-3
   W Mark Philippoussis 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3)

   # Comparison of other greatest Open era players:
   5th – Bjorn Borg (French Open ’74)
   6th – Rafael Nadal (French Open ’05)
   8th – Pete Sampras (US Open ’90)
   13th – Novak Djokovic (Aussie Open ’08)
   17th – Roger Federer (Wimbledon ’03)
   18th – Ivan Lendl (French Open ’84)

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