Epic win gives Federer record 15th Slam!!

Roger Federer became tennis’s greatest champion, watched by a legion of champions, as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes to claim his sixth Wimbledon crown. It was also a record 15th Grand Slam title for the Swiss master, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

It was a truly momentous climax to the 2009 Championships as the 27-year-old Swiss became the most successful man in the sport. Sampras, previous holder of that title, had been an unannounced surprise visitor to Wimbledon – where he has not been seen since winning his seventh title back in 2000.

The American arrived three games into the contest, but then sat as enraptured as the rest of the crowd as the two gladiators battled through 77 games, the most seen at any Wimbledon final.

In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal’s feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus.

That this was going to be a contest between two big blasters was evident from the opening game, when Roddick slammed down two aces and in the next Federer replied with a couple of his own. That Federer had won 18 of their previous 20 matches was not a consideration on this day. For a start, Roddick, white cap pulled low over his eyes, was clearly a fitter and slimmer version of the man who had already lost to Federer in two Wimbledon finals, and he matched Federer stride for stride, shot for shot, ace for ace as they hurtled through the opening set, completing 10 games in just 25 minutes.

Then came the first sign of a falter. It was from Roddick, who fell 0-30 behind on serve, and Federer upped his level in pursuit of a break of serve which would have left him to serve for the set. He could not have tried harder, or played better. Four times he stood at break point, and on each occasion Roddick battled back to fend off the threat and was finally off the hook, courtesy of a pair of Federer forehand errors.

Perhaps it was the inspiration of surviving such a crisis, but Roddick bounced back brilliantly and when Federer offered him a glimpse of success with a faulty cross-court backhand to go break point down, the American struck. A brilliant forehand down the line forced Federer to project a forehand wide and it was Roddick who went a set in front after 39 minutes.

This was precisely the start Roddick needed to prove that he was a changed man from the opponent so frequently dominated by Federer in the past. Impressively aggressive and quick to close in on the net whenever the chance arose, he continued to stretch Federer in the second set with scorching serves of speeds beyond 135mph and a steadiness which was producing 80% of first serves on target.

Federer’s discomfort at being so brashly challenged on a court he has come to regard as his own was beginning to show as the second set moved into a tiebreak. As the Centre Court audience roared in disbelief, two errors by the Swiss left Roddick with four points for a two-set lead. Now was the time for Federer to unveil the genius that had stood him such good stead in previous Wimbledon finals – and he responded in brilliant fashion, winning the next six points in a row as, for the first time, Roddick’s nerves betrayed him.

Two volleying errors on his own serve let Roddick down before, on Federer’s first set point, the American drove a forehand over the baseline and it was level pegging again after one hour 23 minutes.
In that second set Federer had conceded only five points on serve, with Roddick not far behind with seven.

The third set followed the course of the second, with both men holding serve comfortably, except when Roddick escaped from break point down in the sixth game. Though the American’s first serve began to shed some of its potency, the two men moved into another tiebreak. And this time it was Federer who not only moved into the driver’s seat with a mini-break on the third point but cemented that advantage, growling “C’mon” as he went ahead by six points to three, holding three set points.

Would Roddick stage a similar fightback to Federer’s in the previous set? He certainly gave it a go, rescuing two set points on his own serve before Federer struck, following a potent serve with a forehand put-away to move in front by two sets to one with the match two hours 11 minutes old.

Roddick’s indomitable attitude had its reward in the fourth set. He conjured two break points in the fourth game and though Federer saved one with his 24th ace, the American trapped the Swiss as he closed in on the net on the next point.

Steadily and impressively, Roddick built on the break, with the only scare coming when, at 5-2., he fell heavily. There were fears of a similar ankle injury to the one which had caused his withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen’s Club, but this was not the occasion for something like that. He shook himself down, carried on, and held serve in the next game with that trusty weapon, a service winner. All square again after two hours 43 minutes.

So to the deciding set, with Federer threatening to strike early as he reached break point for the sixth time in the match, only to be frustrated again as the American pumped down his 20th ace at 138mph. With no tiebreak in the fifth set, this one had to be played out. And so it was, amid mounting excitement and with Federer beginning to show the first signs of uncertainty.

This reached a climax as Federer faced two break points at 8-8, only to serve his way out of trouble and as the games ascended into double figures for each man the set became the longest fifth set in Wimbledon’s history.

Federer’s ace count passed the 50 mark and then, finally, it was Roddick who cracked in the 30th game of the set. Three mishits off the frame indicated he was fatigued and when Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly, leaping into the air with joy as another Roddick mishit sailed long.

Centre Court - Gentlemen’s Singles – Finals

	Andy Roddick USA (6)					7		66		65		6		14
	Roger Federer SUI (2)					5		78		77		3		16

Yamaha India launches racing kits for R15 and FZ16

Yamaha has always tried to raise the bar in the motorcycling arena with innovative and performance oriented products. Following the success of the track-spec YZF-R15 and the street-smart FZ16, they have pushed the envelope further with the launch of race kits for the R15 and the FZ16. The race kits are developed in collaboration with Daytona, Japan and are aimed at giving the customer a feel of race technology. These kits include several juicy bits such as race-tuned ECUs, full exhaust systems, petal discs and a lot more. Available from September 2009, the parts are meant exclusively for racing in closed circuits only. Here’s what the official press release from Yamaha India has to say about this new exciting launch:

“June 26th, 2009: Having revolutionized the biking scene in the country and fulfilling the racing aspirations of Indian bikers with tremendously successful models like YZF-R15 and FZ series, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. now brings another international trend to the Indian market with the launch of all exclusive Racing kit parts by DAYTONA for its customers.
Talking about the all new racing kit parts, Mr. Sanjay Tripathi, Division Head Product Planning & Brand Management, India Yamaha Motor said, “Racing kit parts are developed using valuable experience gained from Moto GP & World Superbike racing and Yamaha wants to provide its customers in India with the same thrill and feeling of racing instinct.  Also with the launch of these kit parts we want to encourage safe racing culture in India. In order to meet Yamaha’s rigorous quality standards, the kit parts are developed by Yamaha Engineering Corporation and Daytona in Japan.  Racing Power up kits along with racing championship , touring, apparel and accessories are an integral parts of our brand image in India , he added “.
The Racing kit parts include race ECU, High lift cams, full exhaust system, special alloy sprockets, adjustable back steps and braking parts like big diameter petal disc brakes, master cylinder, and stainless steel hose. These parts will be available from September’09 onwards and are exclusively for racing purpose in a closed circuit only”.

Yamaha Race Kit FAQ

As you would have read by now, Yamaha has launched race kits for the R15 and the FZ16 in India. Her, then, everything you need know about the kit, what’s in it, what it does, where you can use it and how you can get one.

What is a race kit?
A race kit, typically, is a set of components that replace their corresponding bits on the bike. The intention is to give the motorcycle (or car) in question more power and depending on the components in the kit, better handling as well. The crux of the matter is that since a race kit is labelled as being intended for closed circuit or race use only, it does not need to meet the sound or emission norms applicable for street use and this allows the tuner to release more power.

What’s in the FZ16 race kit?
Yamaha have chosen to keep the FZ16 kit simple and straight forward. The components for the braking system include steel braided hoses, a 298mm petal front disc rotor with spacers provided to relocate the calliper, a radial-type master cylinder and a reach-adjustable brake lever. The engine bits include a full stainless steel exhaust system branded Dagrex, a quick throttle and well, that’s it. Actually, no, the FZ will also get a replacement rear sprocket of the same size but made of a lighter material called Duralumin.

What’s a petal rotor and what does it do?
A petal rotor or wave disc as it is referred to is a disc brake rotor where the outer edge is shaped instead of being a plain circle. Manufacturers claim that this increases the surface area of the circumference of the rotor which has cooling benefits. The actual reduction of the rotor area on which the disc pads clamp does not, however, reduce braking force or ability. Yamaha further claim that the petal rotor setup also reduces the weight of the rotor itself which lowers the gyro effect of the disc. In essence, all rotating bits have a physical property called gyroscopic precession which is a tendency for them to want to continue to rotate in the plain they are in and resist any change in that plane’s orientation. This has stability benefits – indeed the straight line stability of a motorcycle is largely a function of the gyroscopic precession of the wheels. Less gyro effect from the disc will mean that the motorcycle will require less effort to turn into corners.

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