New York ? Roger Federer was pretty much perfect in Sunday’s U.S. Open tennis final.

Federer became the first man since 1988 to win three majors in a year, thoroughly outclassing Lleyton Hewitt 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0 to add the American Grand Slam title to those he took at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia reacts during his loss to Roger Federer Sunday at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Federer won the title match in straight sets, 6-0, 7-6, 6-0.

There hadn’t been two shutout sets in the event’s championship match since 1884.

“It was a perfect start,” Federer said. “Tough for Lleyton, obviously, but for me, a great start.”

No one had won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open back-to-back since Pete Sampras in 1995. Federer has won 11 straight tournament finals overall and 17 straight matches against players ranked in the top 10.

“It’s an incredible effort, what he’s done,” Hewitt said. “I don’t think people probably realize how hard it is.”

The only blemish for Federer this year? A third-round loss at Roland Garros to three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten.

“He may go down in history — he’s getting there — as the greatest player who’s ever played,” John McEnroe said.