“Records are part of this great match right now, so it's obviously even more of an incentive to try really hard,” stated Roger Federer as he prepared to face Andy Roddick in his seventh successive Wimbledon final.

History In The Making
Records and rankings are indeed on the line for the 27-year-old Federer. The Swiss is riding high after clinching the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros (d. Soderling) and has the chance to break Pete Sampras’ all-time record of 14 major singles titles, should he defeat Roddick in the final at the All England Club for the third time.

The Swiss also has the chance to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings, after surrendering the position to rival Rafael Nadal 46 weeks ago. Federer was at the top of the men’s game for 237 weeks, from 2nd February 2004 – 18 August 2008.

While Federer admitted he would most likely value more the moment he first rose to No. 1, after clinching the 2004 Australian Open, the Swiss expressed his desire to once more be atop the pile on the ATP World Tour. “Of course, it's nice to hang on to it, going through life being the best, being called the best by everybody, by fans. You're not just really a champion; you're the best at something. That's a nice feeling to have. That's why I hope I can become No. 1 in the world again, hopefully from Monday on. So for this reason I have to play well on Sunday and focus on Roddick.”

An Old Rivalry
Federer goes into the pair’s 21st clash with a staggering 18-2 record over the American, including victories in the 2004 and ’05 Wimbledon finals. However, the Swiss believes it will count for nothing when he faces his old foe in the championship match Sunday.

“I always said that serve makes him so dangerous,” assessed Federer. “No matter what surface you play him on, no matter where you play him, how bad the record is for him, he'll always have that shot just because he can serve so great. He not only has a great first serve, but probably has the best second serve in the game. That's what makes it hard to break him. He's good enough off the baseline that he can always make it really a tough match every single time.”

Their rivalry stretches back to a first meeting in 2001 at Federer’s hometown tournament in Basel, a match the Swiss won in a third-set tie-break. The American chalked up his first win over Federer in the semi-finals of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada, but went on to lose to the Swiss on 11 successive occasions before ending the drought at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami in 2008. Since then, Federer has won their past three meetings – including a straight-sets win in the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year.

It is only the third time in the Open Era that the same two men have contested three Wimbledon finals. The past three finals at SW19 have featured Federer and Rafael Nadal, while Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg clashed in three successive finals from 1988-90.

Looking To End Major Drought
The 26-year-old Roddick, who ousted British hope Andy Murray in the semi-finals, is through to his first Grand Slam final since losing the 2006 US Open final to Federer. The Texas resident won his lone major singles title at the 2003 US Open with victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero and is hoping to draw on the experience of two previous Wimbledon final experiences as he looks to become the 20th different champion at the All England Club.

“I don't look back on them negatively at all. I've never made any apologies for making a Grand Slam final before; I certainly don't look back on those like that. I know how tough it is. But I'm excited about this one. I didn't know if I was going get to play a final of Wimbledon again. I'm certainly thankful to have that opportunity.”

The Nebraska native Roddick was particularly impressive on serve in his semi-final win over Murray and the beaten Briton believes that could be the key for Roddick to find rare success against Federer. “If someone serves 130 miles an hour consistently throughout the match, and above in the high like 75s to 80 per cent, it's very tough to break them, especially on a court like this that's quick. I think if he serves like that he's got a chance against anyone, because it comes down to, like I say, a few points in each set. So regardless of whether it's Roger or me or anybody else, if he serves high 70s with the pace he's got on his serve, he's got a good chance.”

The World No. 3 added: “I think Federer has a good return. I don't think that it's incredible. He doesn't break serve as much as a lot of the guys. But he'll make Andy play and if Andy gives him enough chances, Roger's going to take them. That's the one thing he needs to serve very well, especially at the start of all of the games to try and get ahead, not give Roger that chance to sort of swing freely at balls. If he can always sort of stay 15 up, 15-Love, 30-Love up in games, it's going to be tough. But obviously Roger is the favourite. If he plays his best and passes well, then there's no reason why he can't win.”