The 26-year-old American came back from a set down to win his 11th Grand Slam title 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in a classic serve-volley final lasting almost three hours. Sampras, the World number one, thrust his arms in the air after watching Ivanisevic's block-volley sail over the baseline to hand him his first Grand Slam title since winning here last year.

``I just can't believe I've won five of these,'' said Sampras. The victory ensured the American would retain the number one World ranking, but more importantly it carried him to within one title of Roy Emerson's all-time record of 12 Grand Slam singles crowns.

Sampras's victory ended a barren run in the majors after he failed to advance beyond the quarter-final stage in his last three Grand Slams.His victory placed him beside Bjorn Borg and his idol Rod Laver on the all-time list ofGrand Slam winners.

Ivanisevic, watched by the Croatian prime minister Zlatko Matesa, was distraught after his third loss in a Wimbledon final. ``I was getting more and more tired. It was the worst moment in my life.''