Wildcard Goran Ivanisevic stunned third seed Pat Rafter 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-6 9-7 in a nerve-jangling Wimbledon final today to complete the most extraordinary comeback in the history of men's tennis.
The 29-year-old, who lost three Wimbledon finals in the 1990s, is 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, 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. With tears in his eyes, Ivanisevic served a double fault.
On his second match point, Ivanisevic served another double fault and Rafter saved a third with a superb lobbed return.
But on his fourth Rafter netted a return to give the title to Ivanisevic who burst into tears.
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.
-Reuters