(Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

[Long John is covering this match from Andy Roddick's perspective, ascertaining his chances to pull off a major upset!]

Introduction

Seems like old times...Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick in the finals at Wimbledon. Wasn’t it just yesterday? 

Actually, it was 2004 and 2005 when Roddick last stood across the net from Federer on Championship Sunday, ready to do battle on the war-ravaged lawns at Wimbledon.

In the 2004 Wimbledon final, Roddick won the first set and then lost the next three, falling 6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 4-6 to Federer. The next year he lost in straight sets, 2-6, 6-7, 4-6.

In 2004 and 2005, Federer was at his peak, playing tennis on a plane no one else could reach—certainly not Roddick, who never quit trying but whose movement was awkward in comparison, always a step slower than his classic opponent across the net.

But 2009 is a different year with more seasoned rivals who have faced each other 20 times in their long careers. Federer currently leads the series by an 18-2 margin. 

Their battles have often been legendary but predictable, with the Swiss maestro most often dominating his American counterpart in spectacular fashion...

Both have progressed through to the finals playing superlative tennis. Roger’s defeat of Tommy Haas was very impressive, as was Roddick’s win over Andy Murray. Both deserve to be standing on final Sunday.

The question remains—who will win on Sunday, deserving or not?

Roger Federer

Federer is currently playing tennis as he did in his earlier highly successful years from 2004 to 2007. That he dipped a bit in 2008 only makes his rise to the top again seem more remarkable. 

His demeanor without the presence of his greatest nemesis Rafael Nadal has been remarkably calm and self-assured. 

Whether that has to do with the fact that Roger took the French Open Championship for the first time in 2009 or whether the certainty that he would not have to face Nadal—grants him the freedom to fire away. No one, not even Federer, can say for sure.

The fact is that Roger is playing superb tennis and a victory on Sunday will give him 15 grand slam titles and allow him to surpass Pete Sampras’ record of 14 grand slam wins. Currently Roger is tied with Sampras at 14 each.

The records just keep falling as Federer reaches another slam final. They will continue to accrue throughout the rest of his career, especially if he regains the number one ranking by winning the championship on Sunday.

Will Win If

To say that Federer understands what it takes to defeat Roddick is so far an understatement it hardly bears mentioning. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?