Federer Wins French Open and Ties Sampras

Monday, June 8, 2009 -- Roger Federer wins his 14th Grand Slam Singles title at Roland Garros by beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

"Maybe my greatest victory - or certainly the one that takes the most pressure off my shoulders," said Federer.

The win was an emotional win for him. He dropped to his knees as his shot ended the match. "I think that now, and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I've never won at Roland Garros.”

More than just a win, this also ties Federer with Pete Sampras for the record of having the most Grand Slam wins at 14. Sampras himself recently predicted that the French Open would hand Federer the opportunity to tie his record and Federer did not fail him. This is also Federer’s 19th Grand Slam final.

"Now that he's won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game," said Sampras.

“If there's anyone that deserves it, it's Roger," Sampras continued. "He's come so close - lost to one guy who's going to go down as probably the greatest clay-courter of all time."

That ‘guy’ would be Rafael Nadal, who managed to defeat Federer at the French Open from 2006 to 2008. Nadal failed to reach the semis at this year’s Roland Garros after he was defeated by Soderling, who eventually went to finish as a runner-up.