French Open : Finals

Roger Federer became only the sixth man to achieve the career Grand Slam. Federer joins Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four Grand Slam titles and equalled Pete Sampras’ record of 14 majors by defeating Robin Soderling in straight sets in Sunday’s men’s final. Relive every game of this historic match right here.

Roger Federer became only the sixth man to achieve the career Grand Slam and equalled Pete Sampras’ record of 14 majors by defeating Robin Soderling in straight sets in Sunday’s men’s final. Relive every game of this historic match right here. He wrapped up a 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory in one hour and 55 minutes.

He looked a picture of calm from the moment he set foot on Court Phillipe Chatrier and, cheered on by large sections of the crowd, made a blistering start.

An understandably nervous-looking Soderling, contesting his first Grand Slam final, went wide once and long twice before double-faulting to give his opponent an effortless break of serve in game one.

Federer backed that up with a majestic service game, which he held to love with one booming ace and the most delightful sliced backhand which died as soon as it touched the red dirt.

"It might be the greatest victory of my career," said the 27-year-old.

"It takes away so much pressure. Now, I can play in peace for the rest of my career.

"Nobody will never tell me again that I have not won Roland Garros. It's nice to be up here on the podium as a winner this time.

"I would like to congratulate you Robin on an incredible tournament, you beat so many wonderful players on the way.

"It's always hard to lose in the final but it's an incredible surprise.

"I hope you can keep it up for many years to come. All the best and congratulations."

Federer joins the elite group of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi as the only men to clinch all four major titles.

A tearful Federer was touched by the presence of Agassi.

"Of course I'd like to thank Andre for being here. It means the world to me.

"We've had some great matches over the years. For you to be here, the last man to win all four grand slams... now I know what it really feels like.

"You're a hell of a guy and I wish you all the best for your private life. It's a pity you're not playing any more but I don't miss you."

Soderling was thrilled just to have reached the final and found time to issue a light-hearted warning to his rival after his defeat.

He said: "You know you beat me nine times in a row before this match, we were joking nobody can beat me 10 times in a row. We were wrong. But next time we play... nobody can beat me 11 times in a row, I promise you!"

Svetlana Kuznetsova’s five-year wait for a second Grand Slam title is over. The Russian won the 2009 French Open title, emerging victorious 6-4 6-2 after her opponent – No1 seed Dinara Safina – was paralysed with nerves throughout the 75-minute contest.

The match that pitted the best two clay-courters from 2009 deserved to be a closely fought affair. Kuznetsova had won 15 of her 17 matches on red brick this season, while Safina’s record was even more impressive: 20 victories and only one defeat. That loss came in the final in Stuttgart against none other than Kuznetsova, but the world No1 took only six days to get her revenge, defeating her friend from St Petersburg in straight sets in the final of the more prestigious Rome tournament. The two had previously lost in the final here (Kuznetsova to Justine Henin in her 2006 pomp, Safina to Ivanovic last year) and were eager to go one better.