Roger Federer shattered the Mark Philippoussis Wimbledon fairytale and began a story of his own which might one day end in greatness.

The Swiss 21-year-old finally started to fulfil his enormous potential by taking just one hour and 56 minutes to claim his first Grand Slam title 7-6 6-2 7-6.

A netted Philippoussis backhand completed Federer's 7-3 breeze through the final tie-break and he celebrated his historic moment by sinking to his knees and returning to his chair in tears.

Federer did not have to save a single break point on his own serve en route to becoming the first man in seven years to go through the entire tournament for the loss of just one set.

The Swiss star - who defeated Pete Sampras in Wimbledon's fourth round two years ago but was knocked out in the first round 12 months ago - out-aced his big-serving opponent who was bidding to win the title just two years after being left in a wheelchair by three knee operations.

Neither player fashioned a single break point chance in a booming first set but it was Philippoussis who cracked first in a tight tie-break.

He double-faulted to go 4-6 behind and Federer took his second set point opportunity to wrest the advantage.

Federer seized the initiative, producing two superb cross-court winners to set himself up for the first break of the match at the opening of the second set.

And when he took the double-break for 3-0 the outcome of the second set was never in doubt with the fourth seed serving out with aplomb and rounding things off with an ace.

Philippoussis briefly sparked what was becoming a relatively simple final by fighting back in the third set.

But he was thankful for umpire Gerry Armstrong's over-rule on second serve and break point down in the third game to keep his dream alive.

The 26-year-old stretched Federer's serve to deuce for the first time in the fourth game of the set but could not pounce when the door was ajar.

And Federer ought to have made him pay at 5-5 when Philippoussis' fourth double-fault handed him two break points.

But Federer squandered his second when he hit a clear forehand down the line inches long.

Ultimately that did not matter as Federer once again kept his nerves to wrap up a championship which ought be the first of many.

Afterwards an emotional Federer told the crowd: "It's an absolute dream come true for me.

"I was always joking when I was a boy 'I'm going to win this' and now I have it! I'm just so happy with the way I played."

Philippoussis, who also lost his other Grand Slam final at the US Open in 1998, sportingly paid tribute to Federer.

"Roger was too good and I congratulate him, this is his day definitely," said the Australian.

"I did not have one break point, Roger returned a lot better and took advantage of his chances."