At the 2001 Wimbledon Championship, a revolution of the mens game began, as a young, baby-faced Roger Federer dethroned the legendary Pete Sampras, and it would be the start of something amazing for the Swiss player.
Sampras, undoubtedly one of the best players of all time, won 15 Grand Slam titles, including 7 Wimbledon titles, the last coming in 2000. In 2001, he was once again an odds-on favourite to take the crown, however in round four he would meet the man who would succeed him as the dominant force in the mens game.
In a five set thriller, Sampras demonstated what a sensational player and champion he was, but at the twilight end of his career, he was beaten by the young Federer, who produced a display of wonderful Tennis, and demonstrated the incredible potential which he would later fulfill throughout the decade.
Sampras did still have one Grand Slam left in him (he went on to win the US Open in 2002), however this encounter was a real turning point, but also a true pleasure to watch as two outstanding players met at the crossover of their era's.