Roger Federer wins French Open

Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling in straight sets yesterday in the French Open final at Roland Garros to win his first mens title there, and his 14 grand slam in total, equalling the record set by Pete Sampras.

In beating Soderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 he became only the sixth man to win all four of the grand slam events - Wimbledon, and the Australian, French and US Opens - and the first since Rod Laver in the 1960s.WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Steve Bierley, Observer: "Federer has unquestionably been struggling to cope with the pressure Nadal was exerting on him. Andy Murray beat the Spaniard in the semi-finals in New York last year and a hugely relieved Swiss duly won the title against Murray. But faced with Nadal again in this year's Australian Open final Federer could find no answer, virtually giving up in the fifth set and sobbing during the trophy ceremony. There were tears once more after he defeated Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 here but these were slow-falling, quiet ones of the utmost joy."

Neil Harman, the Times: "That Federer's record-equalling fourteenth title should come at Roland Garros, a place where excellence as a player was never enough, serves only to enhance Federer’s mystique. Of course, all those he may have expected to play in the later stages were stripped from his path - the highest-ranked player he met was No 5 - but that made the sensation of his becoming the sixth man in history to win all four of the grand-slam championships all the more vivid."

Ian Chadband, Daily Telegraph: "Ultimately nothing was going to stop Federer gliding back to where he belongs. Not just again to the top of tennis but, beyond, at the summit of all sport as the world's pre-eminent athlete. The acclamation for his emotional landmark triumph here at Roland Garros could not have been more universal. It was possible to sense from the reaction of everyone here something extra for an athlete who showcased great sporting qualities so effortlessly again; that is, a deep affection bordering on adoration for a man who demonstrates, more conclusively than almost anyone, that nice guys can be winners. Supreme winners." ·