Through the rain, Nadal is King in Wimbledon’s Longest Finals ever!
July 6th, 2008 | What's Smackin'
Roger Federer reigned for 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles and planned to be in the record books with a sixth victory in this final.
Rafael Nadal planned to join the record books with a victory in both the Grand Slam and the French Open.
So who achieved their mission today? Rafael Nadal!
He defeated Roger Federer in five sets and the longest Wimbledon finals which lasted until after 9pm.
According to ESPN.com news services, the game breakdown…..
Nadal found the opening he needed after a second deuce at 7-7 in the fifth set, when Federer’s long forehand gave the Spaniard the first break of serve by either player since the third set.
Federer returned from the first break in play and served out the third-set tiebreak with an ace, continuing to put Nadal on the defensive with a booming first serve. Federer improved to 9-1 in Wimbledon finals tiebreaks and 24-3 in Grand Slams after the fourth set.
Roger Federer was broken four times after losing only two service games on grass in 2008.
But Nadal’s improved backhand has helped put him on equal footing with Federer. It played key roles in blunting Federer as the Spaniard took a two-set lead.
Nadal broke Federer once in the first set, twice in the second and once in the fifth — after Federer had lost only two games on serve in 12 previous grass matches in 2008. But both players’ serves consistently sizzled after Federer settled in the third.
When Nadal’s backhand finally faltered, Federer, 1-for-11 in break-point opportunities through the rain delay, was unable to capitalize on two more chances, putting him on the brink of his first loss in his last 41 matches at the All England Club.
Nadal wasted little time in his bid to knock off Federer, breaking the Swiss to gain a 2-1 edge in the first set and put the odds firmly in his favor. Nadal had never lost in the 17 matches in which he’d taken the opening set.
Even if Federer had said he was eager to put his worst Grand Slam loss behind him, a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 loss to Nadal in last month’s French Open final, both forces intend to give it their all to achieve the title and make history.
Reef
July 8th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Nadal played a great game and deserved to win. It was back and forth action the whole game. I don’t think this is the end of Federer’s dominance in tennis. Although Nadal may take over the #1 spot in Men’s Singles tennis, I still think Federer is better and on this day Nadal was just a little better than he was. Both are great players and I look forward to seeing their matchups again…