Ivanisevic makes history

Goran Ivanisevic wiped away the pain of defeat in previous Wimbledon finals to win the men's singles title at the 2001 Championships on Monday.

The 29-year-old Croat, beaten in the final in 1992, by Andre Agassi, and 1994 and 1998 by Pete Sampras, got the better of Australia's Patrick Rafter in a tight and enthralling final, dominated by serves, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7.

It was, indeed, the most extraordinary comeback in the history of men's tennis. Ivanisevic became the first Croatian to win the sport's most prestigious title and the first player to win one of the four Grand Slam crowns after entering on a wildcard.

Ivanisevic was two points from defeat in the final set, at 6-7 and 0-30 down, but he recovered to set up two break points in the following game.

He won the game with a searing forehand return of serve and, after slipping 15-30 behind on his own serve, his 27th ace set up match-point. However, he served a double fault.

On his second match point, he served another double fault and then Rafter saved a third.

But that was all Rafter could do as Ivanisevic completed the formalities.

Ivanisevic, ranked 125 at the start of the championships, thought of giving up tennis earlier this year because of a shoulder injury and his poor form.

He has said he believed it was his destiny to win the title. Rafter lost last year's final to Pete Sampras.