With his latest performance at the 2009 French Open, Roger Federer tied Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major singles titles and became the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam. Federer was at his best, completely outplaying No. 23-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory in the French Open final.

“Maybe my greatest victory _ or certainly the one that takes the most pressure off my shoulders,” Federer said in French, moments after dropping to his knees, caking them with clay, as his 127 mph service winner ended the match. “I think that now, and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I’ve never won at Roland Garros.”

Rafael Nadal, the four-time defending champion lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the fourth round Sunday, ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

“When one player plays bad, [he] must lose,” Nadal said. “[It] was my fault. … I didn’t play my best tennis and for that reason I lose.”

Soderling, who was seeded 23rd at this year’s tournament, ran Nadal off his feet on center court with a hard serve and amazing forehand. “I played well today, but I think I played some even better matches in my career,” said the 24-year-old Soderling, who called Nadal “the greatest clay-court player of all time.”

Rafael Nadal secured his status as The King of Clay yesterday when he took a fourth straight French Open title. Nadal pretty much destroyed world number one seed Roger Federer in three straight sets - 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Nadal, who hails from Spain, who has never lost a match at Roland Garros, didn’t lost a single set in this year’s competition.

Tennis season will heat up now as the road to Wimbledon begins today with the Artois Championships getting underway at the Queens Club in London.