Federer ready to take over the Sampras mantle

Victory over Philippoussis in tomorrow's final would confirm Swiss as successor to great American in line of natural champions

With Pete Sampras deservedly resting on his laurels, long live Roger Federer, who showed the Centre Court crowd and the world's watching millions yesterday that virtuoso performers are worth all the frustration of waiting for them to deliver.

The man who ended Sampras' glorious reign on the lawns in 2001 demonstrated his potential to be a worthy successor to the Californian in the line of natural Wimbledon champions. Now, in the final tomorrow, the 21-year-old Swiss 13th seed faces his biggest challenge. He must confirm his credentials as a major player by overcoming the big-serving Mark Philippoussis the way he dismantled Andy Roddick in the semifinals, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Although most spectators were aware of Federer's talent before he stepped on court yesterday, they had heard so much about Roddick's mighty serve since the 20-year-old American's success at Queen's Club three weeks ago that they seemed to be waiting for him to resume his bombardment.

One hour and 43 minutes later, the crowd rose to acclaim Federer's tour de force. "I got a standing ovation when I beat Sampras as well," Federer recalled. "You kind of look in the crowd and you don't see any seats any more. Everything is just people. It's a real special feeling. You work so hard for this and it's a real nice pay-back."

An American colleague, cutting through the customary cluttered eulogy of praise for forehands and backhands, said: "Federer was beautiful, but my editor won't buy beautiful."

If Federer holds his form and his nerve tomorrow and prevails against the imposing Philippoussis, he will become the first player since Stefan Edberg in 1983 to make the transition from boys' champion to men's champion. There are glimpses of the flowing style of both Edberg and Sampras in Federer, although he carries his own insignia as a Rolls Royce of the courts.

The difference in experience between Federer and the 26-year-old Philippoussis is considerable. In 1998, when Federer won the junior title here, Philippoussis was building towards an onslaught at the United States Open, where he advanced to the final, only to be defeated by his Australian compatriot, Pat Rafter.

Many observers, however, would argue that Federer's success is overdue, and that he has teased them enough with his habit of wrapping his immense gifts in rice paper. Since he arrived on the ATP Tour, he has had his supporters on tenterhooks, waiting for him to tighten and disintegrate at the major championships.

There was hardly a sign of a blip yesterday. Prior to the match the chief concern was that he would be fully recovered from the back spasm that struck as he warmed up for his previous match against the Dutchman Sjeng Schalken. A combination of a physio's finger and the application of hot cream removed any threat to the fourth seed's wellbeing.

Roddick, who started the tournament as the bookmakers' favourite, had lost their three previous matches, none of which were played on grass. This time Roddick was expected to intimidate Federer with his serve by winning a truck load of cheap points and forcing errors. But that is never easy when Federer is on his game, and yesterday he was in that magical kingdom known as "The Zone." The American had his chances, but they came and went in a twinkling at the end of the first set and the beginning of the second.

Federer conceded only four points on his serve en route to the tie-break, charming the spectators with his his mixture of power and guile, thundering some of his passing shots, coaxing others with an artist's finesse. Roddick's serves were being returned with venomous grace at such a rate that the unsettled American began to put too much stress on his first deliveries, and missed too many to be effective.

Nonetheless, Roddick created the first set point in the shoot-out, returning a second serve at 5-5. Serving at 6-5, the American came in behind a 127 mph serve. Federer blocked it, and the over-eager Roddick netted a forehand. "I was happy that he missed that forehand," Federer said. "Maybe it would have changed the match." Federer compounded Roddick's disappointment with a forehand drive on the next point that gave the Swiss a set point at 7-6. He converted with a 120 mph service winner.

A set down after 43 minutes, Roddick sprang into action as Federer served in the opening game of the second set, keen to exploit any sign of complacency. Federer began to waver at 40-15, and Roddick's pressure brought him two break points. Federer saved the first, ending a lively rally with a backhand volley, and served away the second with his ninth ace. His 10th ace secured the game.

Roddick lost his serve in the next game, Federer passing with a cross-court forehand on the third break point after Roddick dived to keep the ball in play.

After Federer held for 3-0, Roddick decided to turn his cap back to front, but this did not help him get his head round the quality of his opponent's play. "Whoo!" the crowd gasped every time the Swiss conjured a spectacular shot. Federer dropped two points on serve in the remainder of the set, which he competed with a forehand drive to the corner after Roddick had parried a series of similar shots.

In the the third set Federer was troubled more by a hovering wasp than anything Roddick could deliver, however hard though he tried. After breaking for 3-2, Federer was unstoppable, hitting his 17th ace before breaking Roddick in the ninth game on his third match point.

"He played really, really good tennis today," Roddick said. "It just seemed that he was seeing the ball early all day on lots of shots. All credit to him. He played one hell of a match."

Federer will have to do the same tomorrow if he is to make those who have called him a "bottler" choke on their words.