Sampras: It's hard to believe that I've won five of these...

The American defeated Goran Ivanisevic 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Ivanisevic: the giant Croat is defeated

The first two sets both went to tough tie-breaks, the first 7-2 to Ivanisevic and the second 11-9 to Sampras.

Sampras was leading at the end of the third set, but Ivanisevic managed to claw his way back, breaking the American's serve in sixth game of the fourth set.

But the champion was not to be denied his fifth title and he finally got the edge over Ivanisevic in the last set.

The champion

Pete Sampras said: "It was a very, very hard fought match, I mean I feel bad for Goran, I really do, I mean obviously I am happy I won, but Goran's come close three times now. He's got such a big game I bet you he is going to break through any time now. But it gets tougher as the years go on.

"It's really sweet - I mean just can't believe that I've won five of these, it's just kinda hit me. You look up to the Borg and those guys and I've matched that. I'm 26, I just hope I can get some more," he said.

No luck for the third time

Ivanisevic: I had so many chances...

Goran Ivanisevic said he knew that he missed a lot of opportunities. "It hurts because I had a chance. It was my best chance ever - he didn't play well at all. Me and him were pretty nervous in the first four sets.

"I thought I am going to win this match but in the fifth set I was more tired than him, my legs didn't listen and I lost my rhythm of serve."

This final marks the third time that the Croat has been runner-up in the Men's Singles finals. But he is philosophical about his defeat.

"But it's OK, better than losing in the first round and with this English crowd behind me it is really nice. I gave everything that I could and they appreciate it, so I would like to thank them," he said.

The match

Ivanisevic: disappointed at his third defeat in the finals

The match was dominated by big serves and featured few extended rallies. Ivanisevic had 32 aces and Sampras had 12. But the key statistic was Ivanisevic's 20 double faults.

Both players started off well but showed a few nerves, double faulting in their respective first games.

The Croat continued to double fault and nearly lost his serve in both the third and ninth games but managed to pull himself back with his famous, powerful aces.

With the score at 4-4 Ivanisevic muttered sternly at himself and requested to play the same ball he had used to successfully serve aces.

The tense Croat also questioned the umpire over a base line call before going on to win the tie-break and the first set.

Sampras: staying at No 1

At the start of the second set each player broke the others serve. Ivanisevic continued to vent his frustration, firstly by smashing his racket on the ground and then by more arguing with the umpire over another call.

The tie-break was fiercely fought with even the normally cool Sampras anxiously questioning a line judge's call. But he went on to clinch the second set.

In the third set, after some rash play, Ivanisevic lost his service early on. The Croat battled throughout the set to regain ground, but failed in his attempt to break the American's game.

Ivanisevic continued to spur himself on in the fourth set by angrily muttering to himself about his performance. He was finally rewarded in the sixth game of the set when he managed to break Sampras' serve.