WIMBLEDON, England—Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title yesterday, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a marathon match that went to 16-14 in the fifth set. Federer served a career-high 50 aces and overcame the resilient American 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14 to break the record of major titles he shared with Pete Sampras and enhance his reputation as perhaps the greatest player in history.

Swiss star captures a record 15th major title after prevailing 16-14 in the fifth set against American Andy Roddick at Wimbledon.

A year ago, plenty of people were feeling sorry for Roger Federer. They were sending him letters with good wishes or—believe it or not—tennis tips. They were offering advice about how to deal with a perceived drop in performance and ideas for how to beat Rafael Nadal. “If you achieved a lot, like I did, for so many years, and then you don’t win some tournaments, people say, ‘Oh, you’re already on the decline,‘ very quickly,“ Federer said yesterday. “I hope it just opens some eyes, these last few months.“

Serena Williams kept telling herself she was facing just another foe in the Wimbledon final yesterday, just another woman who hits the ball quite hard, just another player trying to deny her a Grand Slam title. She wasn’t facing just anyone, of course. She was playing her older sister Venus. And when the latest all-Williams final finished, when Serena wrapped up a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory for a third Wimbledon championship and 11th major title overall, she jogged to the net with her arm extended for a handshake.

WIMBLEDON, England—Venus Williams is just about the perfect older sibling: She supports Serena endlessly, protects her fiercely and even lets her pick which bedroom she wants when they’re on the road. Where does Venus draw the line? At Grand Slam championships. The sisters face each other again in a major final, meeting today for the Wimbledon title for the fourth time.

WIMBLEDON, England—Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer offered his best impression of Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals yesterday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash. And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him.

Roger Federer delivered a masterful grass-court performance to beat Tommy Haas 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 today, while Andy Roddick defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).

WIMBLEDON, England—Richard Williams refuses to watch his daughters, Venus and Serena, play each other. Says he simply can’t bear to see it, no matter the setting, no matter the stage. So once again, the patriarch of the greatest sister act in tennis history is heading home to the United States before the Wimbledon final.

Serena saved a match point and overcame Elena Dementieva 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6 in 2 hours, 49 minutes, while Venus needed only 51 minutes to overwhelm Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0.

Andy Roddick (above) defeated 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt in a five-set quarterfinal epic. WIMBLEDON, England—Roger Federer neutralized Ivo Karlovic’s huge serves yesterday to reach the Wimbledon semifinals and move a step closer to a record 15th Grand Slam championship. Two-time finalist Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Tommy Haas completed the final four.

women’s semifinals WIMBLEDON, England Wimbledon could be headed for another all-Williams final. Then again, it could be an all-Russian matchup. The Williams sisters are one round away from another Grand Slam championship showdown, but they will first have to get past Russian opponents to set up their eighth meeting in a major final and fourth in the Wimbledon title match.

This one meant so much to Andy Roddick. Because of the stakes: a return to Wimbledon’s semifinals. Because of the opponent: 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt. And because of the circumstances: a five-set grind that began under a bright sun and concluded in shadows, 3 hours, 50 minutes later.

WIMBLEDON, England—It is looking more and more like another all-Williams Wimbledon final is on the horizon. Only once in the past nine years has there been a Williamsfree women’s final on the hallowed grass of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and three times the sisters have played each other for the title. The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., siblings, who have taken home seven of the past nine Wimbledon championships, are one round from another meeting.

men’s quarterfinals WIMBLEDON, England Roger Federer already has been through a “serving contest” at Wimbledon this year. It’s probably nothing compared to what’s coming next. Federer used the term after his fourth-round match Monday, which included two tiebreakers and only one break of serve. Up next in today’s quarterfinals is Ivo Karlovic, who makes a living smacking aces and service winners.

Andy Murray, 22, exults after dispatching Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets. The match was the first played entirely indoors in Wimbledon history. WIMBLEDON, England - They played into the night on Centre Court, later than anyone ever had in Wimbledon’s long history, and they played indoors, the first match contested entirely under the new roof.