The 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 triumph put him up alongside Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras as the only players since World War II to win three-in-a-row at the All England Club.

It was a repeat of last year's final and once again Roddick's muscular might was no match for the sublime all-court skills of the world's top player. Twelve months ago it was all over in four sets; on Sunday it needed only three.

The win was Federer's 36th in a row on grass, five short of Bjorn Borg's record of 41, and it left Roddick still seeking a second Grand Slam win to go with the 2003 US Open.

The 23-year-old Federer dropped just one set on the way to his third Wimbledon final and he peaked in the semifinals where he saw off the challenge of old rival Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets.

Roddick, a year younger, had a far more eventful road to the title match enduring two tough five-setters, the worst of the rain delays, and a semi-final against Swede Thomas Johansson that robbed him of a day's rest.