LONDON: A new coach, a new work ethic and renewed belief in his game took Andy Roddick agonizingly close to a Wimbledon title on Sunday and while the experience left him utterly drained the American will not turn back the clock now.

Roddick made a mockery of all those who had predicted an easy win for Roger Federer by taking the Swiss to the wire.

For five sets he lived with the world's greatest player and showed immense strength of character to hold his serve 10 times at sudden death in the fifth before eventually succumbing 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14.