Federer serves up an epic for record victory; WIMBLEDON: Even Sampras turns up to see new king crowned.

Byline: Phil Casey

ROGER Federer admitted it was "staggering" to win a record 15th grand slam title in just 25 events after his epic victory over Andy Roddick on Centre Court.

Federer won his first grand slam at Wimbledon in 2003 and landed number 15 at the All England Club yesterday by beating a gallant Roddick 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14.

Watched by the man with whom he had shared the record - Pete Sampras flying in from California overnight to watch from the Royal Box - Federer saved four set points in the secondset tie-break before finally breaking Roddick's serve for the first time in the match in the final game.

The match featured the most games ever in a Wimbledon final, the total of 77 easily eclipsing the previous record of 62 set last year.

And the 30 games in the fifth set also surpassed the previous highest of 24 in a final, although Federer's total of 50 aces was just one short of the Wimbledon record held by Ivo Kar-lovic.

It's staggering that I've been able to play so well for so many years and stay injury-free," said 27-year-old Federer. "It's crazy that I've been able to win so many in such a short period of time. It was difficult because I thought Andy played great. It was so different to what I experienced the last few years with Rafa (Nadal), where it was a baseline game. It was a serve and return game.

"It was frustrating at times because I couldn't break Andy until the very very end so the satisfaction is maybe bigger this time around to come through, because I couldn't control the match at all. I thought the second set was obviously key to what came after. Being down two sets to love, the way Andy was serving, would have been a very difficult situation."

Federer spared a thought for the unlucky Roddick, who he has now beaten three times in Wimbledon finals, and who had to hold his serve 10 times in succession during the epic final set to stay in the match.

"Tennis is cruel sometimes," added Federer, who finally made the break-througat the 11th time of asking by forcing Roddick to mis-hit two forehands.

"I went to some five-setters too in grand slam finals and ended up losing. But I think he did great. I think he's not gonna let his head hang down, I think he's going to come back strong and play great in the States.

"I had to play my very very best to come through."

Federer also revealed he had said hello to Sampras when the seventime Wimbledon champion took up his seat after the third game of the opening set.

"Today with Pete it was a bit special," added Federer. "When he walked in and I saw him for the first time I did get more nervous."

CAPTION(S):

RECORD SMASHED... Roger Federer in action against Andy Roddick, inset