After winning the title in Halle 2003, Roger Federer was the man on a mission a couple of weeks later at Wimbledon as well, advancing into the first Major final and making a breakthrough on the biggest scene. The Swiss was among the players to beat during those two weeks, dropping one set in the first six encounters for his best result at Majors and the first semi-final at that level.
There, Federer took down Andy Roddick 7-6, 6-3, 6-3, blasting more than 70 winners and never losing serve to keep the pressure on the other side of the net. Andy had a set point in the opening set tie break, wasting it after a loose forehand and never looking like a strong contender again, suffering three breaks in sets two and three and pushing Roger over the top.
After the victory, Federer said he felt relieved after taking that further step at Majors, hoping to play on a high level in the title match against Mark Philippoussis. “I don’t think I played a perfect match against Roddick but it was a very good one.
The level of focus was high all the time and I could maintain that in my service games. I had chances on the return and will use that approach in the final as well, hoping for another high-quality performance. I feel good a day before the final, playing well in the last two weeks and trying to keep my confidence.
I haven’t lost a match on grass in the past month and it would be fantastic to win the title tomorrow. I feel relieved, knowing I can perform well at Grand Slams, the only part of my career that was missing. I still plan to play in Gstaad next week.
They treat me nice there and can’t wait to play in front of the home fans. Philippoussis has a flat serve and rushes to the net all the time. It will not be easy to return his serves and I will have to figure out the way, especially when he misses the first.
I have high expectations; the final came with me in the top-5 and that’s perfectly normal. There’s only one more match left to play and I hope to have my chances.”
