Federer retains US Open title
Switzerland's Roger Federer has won his second Grand Slam title this year by beating Andre Agassi in four sets at the US Open in New York.
The world number one thereby became the first player in tennis history to defend the US Open and the Wimbledon trophy.
Federer fought off a brave challenge from Agassi on Sunday to beat the 35-year-old American 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1.
Federer won the first set thanks to one break but seventh-seed Agassi, playing some of the best tennis of his career, came back to level the match and then lead 4-2 in the third.
The 24-year-old from Basel then broke back in the next game, and after winning the tiebreak 7-1, he stormed through the fourth set to win his sixth Grand Slam title.
“For me this is probably the most special Grand Slam final of my career. To play against Andre here in New York, it’s a dream,” Federer said.
Top class
Agassi, who was playing in his 20th US Open, bowed to the Swiss champion. “He’s the best I’ve ever played against.”
The title at Flushing Meadows is Federer’s tenth tournament win this year. It is also his 32nd title overall and his 20th on hard courts.
Federer has won his last 23 finals, 11 better than the previous record. The new US Open title is his 35th consecutive hard court victory, breaking Pete Sampras’s professional record of 34.
Federer joins an elite club of only four men since records began in the 1880s to win their first six Grand Slam finals.
swissinfo with agencies
Result: 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1.
The match lasted two hours and 20 minutes.
Federer earned $1.1 million (SFr1.4 million).
Agassi received $825,000.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.