Against which player did Roger Federer play his first Grand Slam final?

Roger Federer played Mark Philippoussis in his first Grand Slam final, the men's singles final at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. Federer won the match in straight sets, 7–6, 6–2, 7–6, to claim his first major title.

The final was the culmination of a breakthrough tournament. Federer defeated Sjeng Schalken in the quarterfinals and Andy Roddick in the semifinals before meeting the powerful-serving Australian Philippoussis. The win made Federer the first Swiss man to capture a Grand Slam singles championship.

Philippoussis was a formidable grass-court opponent known for his huge serve, but Federer neutralized him with accurate returns, fluid movement and exceptional touch. The two tiebreaks were decisive because neither player surrendered a break in the opening or closing set.

This match began Federer's historic Wimbledon run. The 2003 title was the first of his eight Wimbledon crowns and the first of 20 major singles championships. Lleyton Hewitt, one of the answer choices, was the defending champion but lost in the first round.