The debate has ended. On Sunday, the greatest tennis player to have ever lived has taken his rightful place at the top if the Grand Slam leaderboard. In a fiercely competitive 5 set battle with the most improved player on the professional tour, Roger Federer captured his 15th Grand Slam Championship with a come-from-behind 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14 triumph over Andy Roddick.

The match was a serving clinic as Federer blasted a personal best 50 aces while Roddick powered 27. Both players had 4 double faults. As well as Federer served, he lost serve twice while Roddick’s only lost service game came in the last game of the match.

The contest between two seasoned tour veterans had all the suspense and dramatic quality that has come to symbolize the game’s oldest and most prestigious tournament. Both players performed with a lack of on-court nervousness and an abundance of focus.

Over their careers, the two finalists have now met 21 times. Roger has won 19 of those matches. This was the first match to go five sets.

Since retaining coach Larry Stefanki near the end of 2008, Roddick has changed his style and shaped up his frame. Since his recent marriage, the pieces have come together for the one-time serve and volley master. Roddick is playing with newfound confidence. Always a flamboyant server, he has now developed weapons to compliment his 140 mph serve.

All those weapons were on display from the outset on Sunday. In the 12th game, the six seed sent a message to his opponent and to the crowd by breaking Federer with two down-the-line backhands that could not be handled. Roddick seemed to be working Roger’s backhand. Meanwhile, his re-tooled backhand kept Federer on the baseline and away from the sharp angles the champion likes.

The second set will long be on Roddick’s mind as the one that got away and, in reality, cost him the tournament title. The players held serve throughout reaching the 6-6 tiebreaker. Federer’s record in tiebreakers is 29-4 just slightly better than Roddick’s 26-4 mark. Something had to give.

The old Roddick played quickly and sometimes lacked strategy. The new Roddick took his time between serves and seemed on top of his court management. Through the second set, Andy was landing 77% of his first serves. He was especially effective serving into Roger’s body.

In the tiebreaker, Roddick broke Roger’s first attempt and then held to go up 4-1. He then smoked a backhand down the line to go up 5-1. Roger aced to hold at 5-2. Andy hit a first serve winner to get set point at 6-2. Roger powered a beautiful backhand return to pull within 6-3. He then held his two serves to close to 6-5. Andy missed the first serve and Roger drove a forehand to Roddick’s backhand. Andy tried his down-the-line special but just missed the tape. 6-6. The champion then followed with another backhand winner and held his own serve to capture the set.

That tiebreaker swayed the match and would have crumbled the old Roddick. Roger Federer had changed the mood of the match and seized the momentum. Most of the 15,000 fans expected the challenger to fold, claim his second place trophy and be satisfied with a good fortnight’s work.

The new Andy Roddick put aside the tiebreaker and resumed power serving. Federer continued to build aces and had the air of a winner. He began to lure Roddick to midcourt, where the American was helpless. In the third set tiebreaker, Roger scored the only break he would need in the third point when Roddick missed yet another backhand slice from no man’s land. With the 7-5 tiebreaker in hand, the inevitable appeared on the near horizon.

Roger Federer has not won 15 Grand Slam titles and more than $42 million by allowing opponents back in matches. Roger Federer closes matches. In fact, there is no more efficient closer in the game.

But, Roddick cashed another break with Roger serving at 1-2 in the fourth. Federer overcame two break points at 15-40 to pull to deuce but this time Andy lured Roger into mid court and passed him down the line before executing a perfect half court pickup. That was the only break Roddick would need to square the match at two sets apiece.

Roddick had lost two sets without losing his serve. After four sets, the players had been on the court for three hours. Set five would take more than 90 minutes. Fans began to wonder how long any player could be on the court with Roger Federer and not lose their serve.

Gradually, Roger began to strike first on Roddick’s serve. Finally at 14-15, he won the first two points and the pressure finally showed. When Andy missed the last forehand, the Champion had attained his goal and logged his major accomplishment.

Both players were complimentary in closing remarks. The twosome will meet again and Roddick has reason for confidence heading into the U.S. Open, where friendly crowds will be vocal in his support. He will have a little more than a month to forget the devastating second set tiebreaker.

In the meantime, accolades to a deserving champion. He repelled everything that all comers threw at him. The game now has a new Grand Slam record holder and a wonderful ambassador of the game that loves him.

Andy! Andy! Andy! And More Andy!

The engine that could chalked up a big one on Friday on Centre Court in front of 15,000 unappreciative fans. Prior to the match Andy Roddick quipped that he would pretend every time he heard the crowd scream “Come on Andy,” he would pretend it was for him, not for Andy Murray. Andy Roddick stood alone on Centre Court surrounded by Brits pleading for an end to the 73-year drought that has plagued the nation.

Perhaps, it will happen next year, but for now, the Brits will have to wait one more time. Andy Murray is a wonderful tennis player. At 22 years young, there is little doubt that his day will come.

In an unexpected twist, Andy Murray out-aced the sultan of serve 25-21. However, Murray chose to play Roddick’s serve from 12 feet behind the baseline. Next time around, the Scotsman may re-think that strategy.

The match started as expected. When the twosome settled into points, Murray inevitably won. Roddick dominated the shorter points. Both players sported robust serves. The crowd was in the game and part of the contest and very much in Murray’s corner. It was a field day, the day the All England Club had awaited for 12 months.

In addition to the 15,000 fans around Centre Court, Henman’s Hill had thousands more passionate Murray fans. This was unsafe terrain for Roddick fans.

After a devastating setback in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2007,  Roddick began to question himself, his ability and his future. In that fateful quarter match, he jumped out to a 2 set lead over controversial Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Inexplicably, the play turned. Roddick could not execute. He was out of gas and soon out of the tournament.

More questions arose in 2008. He was ousted in the third round at Melbourne, did not enter Paris and out in the second round at Wimbledon before reaching the quarters at the U.S. Open. Andy Roddick’s career was headed the wrong way down a one-way street. Roddick stared at the “this way only” sign and made a bold commitment to a coaching change.

In November 2008, Roddick hired accomplished coach Larry Stefanki. Larry had some ideas. They all began with a more dedicated work ethic and recognition that the sultan of serve needed more diversity in his game. The twosome went to work in the off-season.

Roddick and Stefanki were rewarded at Melbourne with a semifinal appearance. They were pleasantly surprised in Paris reaching the fourth round on clay, a surface with which Roddick has struggled all his career. There were other signs of a comeback. His 2009 won lost record stood at a very respectable 33-8.

Andy Murray’s 2009 record is 40-6. He championed the Queen’s Cup. He is the best tennis player Britain has put forth in a very long time. He is a heavyweight contender. He is in need of a big win. Once he gets that win, the sky is the limit.

In the first set of the match that was to launch a weekend of celebration culminating with the home country’s first Wimbledon title in 74 years, Andy Murray was serving at 4-5, deuce.

Andy Roddick disguised a forehand and went with a show-stopping drop shot. Silence! Advantage Roddick, set point.

At set point, Roddick drove a deep forehand crosscourt. Murray nets the sideline drive. Set over.

Silence on Centre Court. A magnificent set of tennis was observed by a cheerless audience; just what Andy Roddick wanted.

Andy Roddick had silenced the crowd, temporarily taken them out of the match. The pressure was squarely on The Scotsman. Commentators reported that Murray stood to gain $100 million pounds in endorsements with a Wimbledon title. That is a fair amount of pressure, maybe more than anyone should bear.

Much like Elena Dementieva the day before, Andy Roddick took the first set, went to the service line and blinked. Murray jumped at the opportunity and broke, then held to go up 2-0. Murray served brilliantly through the set, winning 6-4. Match on! Crowd back.

This match had everything; spectacular shotmaking, an abundance of athleticism, courageous serving, daring net play and two highly gifted professionals.

Andy Murray leads the tour in games broken in 2009. He has broken more serves than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Andy Roddick. He is the king of the break. He has speed, incredible touch and power, power and more power.

Andy Roddick is known as a server extraordinaire. That is the old Andy Roddick. The new Andy Roddick has dimension. He makes players play to his strength. He has patience, but he is not waiting. He is forcing, pressing. He comes up, cuts of shots, takes angles, hits deep crosscourt forehands and sharp down-the-line backhands.

Hey, this Andy Roddick is better than the old Andy Roddick, plus he knows more. He has been there; to the top of the mountain and to the bottom of the well.

There was no way Andy Roddick was caving in. If Andy Murray wanted this match, he was going to have to play better, play like someone who could challenge Roger Federer, not like someone who was ordained a title. Andy Murray was going to have to take this match away from Andy Roddick and it was not going to be easy.

Admit it or not, everyone around Centre Court could sense it. This was going to be a dogfight.

Roddick cast aside childish things. He did not dispute calls, he did not argue with the chair umpire. He stared Andy Murray down, then drew from the holster and shot from the hip.

He broke Murray to go up 3-1. He served a love game to go 4-1. At 5-3, Murray took charge, dominating the game. Roddick absorbed the loss. Murray pulled even and they held serve to get to 6-6.

Andy Murray may have the most breaks on the tour but Andy Roddick is a gunfighter. Roddick possesses the best tiebreaker record on the tour. Prior to today his tiebreaker record in 2009 stood at 25-4.

At 6-6, Roddick scored a break to go up 2-1. Murray answered to go 2-2. They went back and forth. At 4-5, Murray pitched two aces. Roddick would not go away.

He scored a 138 mph ace to go up 7-6. Murray hit a winner. 7-7. Roddick went crosscourt, Murray missed a forehand. Set point with Roddick up 8-7. Another crosscourt forehand by Roddick, another net ball from Murray. Set over!

The stunned crowd put their hand son their laps. Who is this new Roddick?

Set three had a similar feel. The spreading shadows foretold a dark day for the Brits. Murray served and played well. He appeared more athletic. Roddick was amazingly fit. He continued to press play, forcing shots, drop-shotting, slicing forehands, being annoying, totally uncompromising.

At 6-6, the tiebreaker began. The American jumped ahead when Murray missed a backhand at 1-2. Roddick followed with two big serves for 4-2. Murray barely caught the baseline to pull to 4-5. Roddick blistered a service winner.

At 6-4, Murray came up with a critical save passing Roddick at net. 5-6 Murray serving. Roddick thunders a return across the court. Roddick nets the retrieve. Match over.

Hail Andy Roddick, the sultan of serve, the master of pressure, the consummate underdog. Roger Federer will have to earn this championship. Andy Roddick does not go away easily.

I mean really? Imagine reaching 21 consecutive Grand Slam semifinal rounds. Imagine that! Roger Federer will someday win his 15th Grand Slam and then some. He may even accomplish it this week and become the player to have won the most Grand Slam Titles ever.

Once he sets a new standard for Grand Slam titles that will most likely never be topped, his legacy will be established. However, since tennis went to open play, it is almost inconceivable that one player could reach 21 straight Grand Slam semifinal rounds. To reach the semis, a player must now defeat five opponents.

Defeating five opponents does not do the accomplishment justice. That is 5 of the best tennis players in the world. That means that not only has Roger Federer won 105 consecutive matches against stellar competition, he has never had a bad day, never felt ill, never felt down. Roger Federer has been on his game 105 times since Wimbledon 2004 when he claimed his second of five Wimbledon titles.

What may be more astounding is what the 27 year old Swiss star does when he reaches the semifinal round. Players who reach the semis of a major have won five matches. They are on their game. They are grass court experts, clay specialists, hard court masters. They are the best at what they do.

At Wimbledon, he has reached the semifinals seven times since 2003. When Roger has reached those seven consecutive semis, his record is even more phenomenal. He has never lost a set once reaching the esteemed round against the best grass court players on the planet. You really need to digest that.

After Roger’s semifinal appearance against courageous Tommy Haas of Germany, the record stayed in tact. Haas played brilliantly. He did not shrink from the moment. He embraced it. Tommy brought his game to the highest level. Tommy Haas is a tour player who will win many more matches. On this day, he would have beaten most of the players in the field. He would have triumphed in many matches anywhere, anyplace. But, not against the game’s most accomplished player; not on this day.

Federer’s 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 triumph was more precise than surgical, so athletic it appeared effortless and so strategic it seemed simple. It was a perfect demonstration by a man so superior in his career that it seems doubtful any player, including the enigmatic Murray or the forceful Roddick, will meet success in the finals.

Haas and Federer are unique in that they both continue with one-handed backhands. There was speculation that Haas may have the superior backhand. Roger must have taken that critique personally because on this day every backhand was flawless.

In fact, every extended rally went to the winner. That is the way Roger plays. His skill pressures players to attempt shots they do not have. They must hit deeper, harder and with more spin than possible. Roger Federer’s mistakes can be counted on your fingers and toes. Against Haas, he had 15.

But, bring a calculator to total his outright winners (49 today). In a close match, Roger won 112 points to Haas’ 81. The three sets took just over two hours.

Prior to the match, Haas suggested his success would depend on his ability to “stay the court.” He did. He held his position, gave no quarter. He challenged, pressed the play, charged the net. Tommy Haas did the things that helped him earn the semis.

His second serve won points. Often clocked at 115 mph, it was an effective weapon. Sure enough, when the first set tiebreaker came down to crunch time and knowing that he could not persevere in long points, he pressed two forehands. Suddenly the hole was too deep. The set ended.

In the second set, Haas played even better. He held serve five times to reach 5-4. Roger held for 5-5. You knew what was coming. Roger breaks and serves for the 7-5 set.

Now, the pressure was really on. Tommy Haas had to be wondering “what do I have to do?” Many players have wondered the same thing for many a year.

It was too late. At 3-4, Haas gamely staved off 4 break points before netting a half court backhand. The gentlemen changed ends and Haas dug in his heels.

Roger Federer rarely shows emotion. He rarely seeks advice, questions calls or has temper outbursts. He is precise. So, with the score 5-3 and serving for the match Roger does what he does best. He closed the deal. At 5-3 in the third, Roger closed this deal at love.

At the post match net-side handshake, you saw two time-tested gifted athletes exchange courtesies. What you may have noticed was Tommy’s private acknowledgement that he had just lost to the best player to ever hold a tennis racket. Long live the King of Tennis, Roger Federer!

The hoopla is over. The Queen has conveyed her best wishes. Sir Sean Connery has let his interest be known. Sir Cliff Richard delivered a hand written success plan. All is well in London town.

The legions of Murray fans are packing their lunch baskets, sun blocking their shoulders, laying out their best outfits and preparing for Friday’s carnival, and then, of course, the finals.

The semifinal match with Andy Roddick is a mere formality, a tune-up before the main event. Despite the past and future heroic efforts of German Tommy Haas, All England knows who will be waiting in the wings. They are counting on it. Do we really need these semifinals? Why not play on? Destiny lies around the bend.

As wonderful as that Swiss gentleman is, this is not his tournament. He will have other chances. There is only one Wimbledon. There is only one Andy Murray. It has been 73 years. It will not be 74. The time is now, the place is here and the stars have aligned perfectly.

When all is said and done, Andy Roddick is not Rafa Nadal, bad knees and all. Murray fans could never have tolerated Nadal and then Federer. This is better. It has a sense of balance.

Murray-Roddick, Federer-Haas, two well-balanced preps for, excuse the basketball analogy, “the big dance.” So, 22 year young Scotsman, Andy Murray, is it to be or not to be? That is the question.

Andy Murray turned professional in 2005. Since his second place finish at the U.S. Open in 2008, he has been on the cusp. He was favored to win The Australian Open before inexplicably tapping out in the 4th round. He was heavily favored to reach the semis in Paris before stumbling in the quarters. Andy Murray has 195 career wins. His 2009 won-lost record is an amazing 40-6. Andy Murray is a championship-waiting-to-happen.

The time is now, the place is here!

Andy Murray is 22 years young. He is 4 years younger than his Friday opponent, Andy Roddick whom is 26 years-not-so-young. While his 195 career wins are admirable, Andy Murray does not possess half as many tour wins as Tommy Haas (445) or Andy Roddick (492). He possesses less than one third the number of wins as King Roger (best-to-ever-play-the-game) Federer (650). Where I come from, we see numbers like those and we want to know more before we slide our dough across the window.

Let’s make something clear. The time is now, the place is here and Andy Murray is Centre Court, center stage.

No Brit since Freddy Perry has ever been in a better place at Wimbledon. After Roddick, the Scot plays a man he has beaten four consecutive times, a man against who he holds a 6-2 lifetime record. That’s a finals? Sounds like a duck shoot!

Andy Murray has been carrying the flag since the end of round one. He has been on every front page, every back page and as one commentator aptly stated, “will never have to buy a pint again.”

The Wimbledon faithful were out in force for Hewitt – Roddick. It was a “carnival atmosphere” with Aussie Crazies and Hewitt’s links to the Commonwealth acting in bizarre tennis fashion. But Andy Roddick has played in New York. Heck, he won in New York. It does not get any crazier than that.

Andy Roddick knows how to play through this atmosphere. In his 9 year career, Andy Roddick has learned to beware of the player with nothing to lose. Andy Murray has not.

Murray’s inability to deal with those kinds of players has been his demise in Grand Slam events, and in the British press. Fernando Verdasco came at him in Melbourne, prevailing in five sets. In Paris, Murray was rudely ousted by Fernando Gonzalez in four sets. Verdasco? Gonzalez? Grand Slam?

Aberrations, perhaps? Cause for hope for Andy Roddick? Definitely! Look at it another way. 4th round in Melbourne, out. Quarterfinal in Paris, out. Semifinal in London? We shall see.

When I look at Murray’s 2009 Wimbledon, I see a few problems. Blessed with an easy draw, he struggled in the very first round against American serving ace Robert Kendrick, 7-5, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. Robert Kendrick is a nice player with a future. Robert Kendrick is not Andy Roddick.

Murray then blew past Ernests Gulbis and Viktor Troicki, but what would one expect? Against the only player that should have been where he was, Stanislaus Wawrinka, Murray put the fear of God into the crazed Wimbledon gallery. They even had to enclose the place to get this one done. They didn’t do that for Tommy Haas. But, it was an outdoor tournament then. Mr. Murray could not be stretched into a second day, could he?

Wawrinka’s five set man-test ended with Murray on top, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. While a wonderful win? This was a match that should have ended in three hours, not closer to five. If Andy Murray loses focus or blinks against Andy Roddick, he is in trouble. Stanislaus Wawrinka is not Andy Roddick.

So, while Murray should get to the finals, and frankly, do the unthinkable and deny the greatest player to ever play the game his 15th Grand Slam title, he had better keep his eye on the ball and his mind off the gallery. You will not see Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas or the King looking to their corners for help. No sir. You will see Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and Roger focused on the moment, in the game, where they belong.

This is Andy Murray’s moment. This is Andy Murray’s destiny. He will never be 22 again. It will be a long time before Andy Murray plays another Grand Slam without Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in his path for successive matches. It will be a long time before the stars are so perfectly aligned and London so ready, so willing so eager.

This is it Andy. So, will it be, or not to be? You decide.

The best match of the Gentlemen’s quarterfinal was not between the two best players in the draw. The best match of the day was between a 26 year old American and a 28-year-old Australian. The best quarterfinal match of the day was between two accomplished players considered past prime and written off more than once over their outstanding careers.

The best match of the day was between two seasoned, grizzled and married tour veterans who share 957 career victories. The best quarterfinal match was between two guys that decided after 2008 to rededicate themselves, to log countless miles, lift an infinite number of pounds and hit zillions of tennis balls to reach the next level. Andy Roddick prevailed over Lleyton Hewitt who fought nobly and, like Roddick, deserved to win. This was a match where both players deserved to win, where you could not be disappointed by the outcome. It was that good, that suspenseful, that filled with high drama and stellar play.

It could have been the finals. It was that good. Most likely, it will surpass the finals and the semifinals for drama and heroics.

Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt did what they do best. They played a professional tennis match. They played to win. They played as if they had been there before. They left nothing on the court. They played like two players who have played before and who have built respect for each other’s games.

What drama! The Aussie Crazies were out in force. Those yellow and green shirts jumping up and down, loudly proclaiming their loyalty and defending Australia’s honor as Hewitt has been doing all by himself for some time now.

The American crazies were there too, cheering, interrupting passionate in their exuberance. Like Hewitt, Roddick has been carrying his flag for a long time as well. Like Hewitt, it means something to Andy. It is the way he learned to play, the old way. The way that makes the Brits crazy that they have not had a winner in 73 years.

As expected, Andy Murray moved on Wednesday, blowing out Spain’s play-in Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. On this day, Andy Murray did what he had to do. He appeased the gallery, gave the media something nice to write about and can now rest with his lovely lady waiting for the older, out-manned Roddick to come out with his 140 mph serve and smack hard shot after hard shot at him. On paper, Andy has reached the finals. But then again, that is why they lace up the sneakers and trot on out there. Another reason is because you might not be exactly sure which Andy Murray will show up for the semis.

What we do know is which Tommy Haas, which Andy Roddick and which Roger Federer will show up. As much as the Brits may not want to admit it, there will be three tennis professionals and a young Scotsman in the semis. After that, we shall see.

On this day, in this match, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick went toe-to-toe. Roddick won the first set 6-3, and the third set 7-6 (1), while Hewitt prevailed at 7-6 (10), 6-4. Andy Roddick only has a 10-12 won lost record in five set matches. The players have gone at it 12 times. They now stand at 6-6.

So, you knew the fifth set belonged to either player. These two fellows are in terrific shape. It was hot, humid and long. The match fell just shy of four hours court time. At 4-4 in the fifth with Lleyton serving, Roddick fought off 3 game points before finally grabbing an ad. Hewitt served him to submission.

But, the American answered back and got it back to game point. This time, he converted his 4th of 12 break points. He then did what he does best and served out the match, recording his personal best 43rd ace along the way.

The day is over. Tomorrow, the ladies will go at it in the semis. But on this day, the best match of the day featured Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Murray and the Brits who stuck around on Henman’s Hill got their money’s worth. What a match!