Roger Federer celebrates after creating history on Centre Court Reuters

ROGER FEDERER added another chapter to the history books after beating Andy Roddick in a marathon men's singles final to claim his sixth Wimbledon championship and record-breaking 15th grand slam title.

Federer held his nerve in an amazing fifth set to seal a remarkable 5-7 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/5) 3-6 16-14 victory on Centre Court as Roddick's brave resistance was finally broken.

It was the third year in succession Federer had been taken to five sets in the final, having beaten Rafael Nadal in 2007 and losing to the same player in 2008.

Roddick was a massive underdog going into the match, having lost 18 of his 20 previous matches with Federer, who was seeking a sixth victory at the All England Club and a record 15th grand slam title.

Watched by the man with whom he currently shares the record, Pete Sampras taking his place in the Royal Box after the first three games of the set, Federer had looked in control in the early stages.

But Roddick crucially saved four break points in the 11th game - Federer making several unsuccessful challenges on close line calls - before then breaking Federer's serve in the next game to snatch the first set 7-5.

That was just the second set Federer had lost in the championships this year and also gave Roddick the advantage of serving first again in the next.

The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, with Federer forced to play catch-up and knowing any slip in concentration could see him two sets down and left with a mountain to climb.

This time the Swiss star managed to force a tie-break, although the statistics did not make good reading, Roddick having won 26 of his 30 tie-breaks so far in 2009.

Roddick gained an early mini break when Federer fired a simple forehand beyond the baseline and raced into a 6-2 lead, giving the 26-year-old four set points for a two sets to love lead.

The first was on his serve but Federer saved it with a backhand winner, and then took the next two on his own serve to make it 6-5.

Roddick had one last chance but swatted a high backhand volley well wide, and Federer pounced to take the next two points - making it six in a row - to snatch the tie-break 8-6 and level the match.

The momentum had switched firmly in Federer's favour and the world number two was in dominant form on his serve throughout the third set, dropping just two points.

But to Roddick's credit, the former US Open champion refused to buckle after the crushing disappointment of losing the second set and saved the only break point of the set in the sixth game.

It all meant another tie-break and this time it was Federer who stormed in front, punishing Roddick whenever he missed a first serve and taking a 5-2 lead.

Roddick took three of the next four points to make it 6-5 but Federer held his nerve, putting away a forehand winner after an excellent serve to take it 7-5 and a two sets to one lead.

Roddick could have been forgiven for letting his head drop after going behind, but he came out for the fourth set in determined mood.

He forged two break points in the fourth game and although Federer saved the first with an ace, the Swiss star had no answer to a Roddick backhand on the second.

Roddick consolidated the break to go 4-1 ahead and Federer suddenly had to find a way to break Roddick's serve for the first time in the match to avoid being taken to a deciding set.

However, Federer was guilty of playing too cautiously at times - as Andy Murray had been against Roddick in the semi-finals - and Roddick recovered from 0-30 down in the ninth game to take the set 6-3 and set up a fifth set.

Federer had the advantage of serving first in the decider and forced Roddick to save a break point in the second game, the only one in the first 16 games.

Finally Roddick created two break points at 8-8, effectively championship points the way he was serving, but Federer recovered from 15-40 down to keep his nose in front.

Records continued to tumble as Roddick amazingly successfully served 10 times to remain in the match, but finally the pressure told.

A forehand error gave Federer his first match point and he forced the American into hitting another forehand off the frame of the racket to finally seal a remarkable 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 victory and record his 15th grand slam title.