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Wimbledon final all square
Roger Federer of Switzerland won the second set of the final 7-5 to level the match with second seeded American Andy Roddick who had taken the opener 6-4 before rain returned to force the players off.
Defending champion Roger Federer of Switzerland won the second set of the Wimbledon final 7-5 to level the match with second seeded American Andy Roddick who had taken the opener 6-4 on Sunday.
Roddick struck first breaking the Federer serve in only the third game of the match to lead 2-1 when he set up the winning point with a booming crosscourt forehand which the Swiss could only pat back long.
It was only the third time Federer had lost his serve in his seven matches here.
The American, who was defying all expectations by serving and volleying rather than just relying on his customary baseline power, then saved four break points to go 3-1 up.
Federer held for 3-2 before rain forced the players off Centre Court after just 16 minutes of action.
Play resumed 35 minutes later with Roddick dominating the match even hitting a return timed at 103mph off a Federer serve in the seventh game before going on to take the opener with another powerful forehand after 31 minutes of play.
The statistics made sober reading for Federer with his opponent rewarded for his positive approach firing down 18 winners compared to his seven.
Federer, whose wristy, artistic style has had fans and pundits drooling, fought off a break point in the first game of the second and then broke for the first time in the final when Roddick served up three double faults.
The breakthrough rejuvenated the Swiss star as he carved out another break to lead 4-0 as Roddick's all-out assault threatened to fizzle out.
But in a set of fluctuating fortunes, the American hit back to 4-1, held for 4-2, then took advantage of a sloppy Federer service game to break again to trail 4-3 before holding to go 4-4.
The top seed, who beat Roddick in the semi-final here in 2003, stopped the rot to lead 5-4 but Roddick stayed with him at 5-5.
Federer earned set point thanks to a lucky net cord and levelled the match with a sweetly driven forehand down the line with 74 minutes on the clock.
