Rafael Nadal wins 5 set Wimbledon epic

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in one of the greatest Wimbledon finals since it started in 1877, 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7.

With rain expected and coming down earlier this afternoon, it wasn’t until 14.35 local time that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal started.  Rafael Nadal struck first blood, breaking Federer’s serve in only the 3rd game.  Nadal faced a break point in the ensuing game but held on and went into a 3-1 lead.  Some excellent serving in the 5th gave Federer the game to love.

Each player held serve up to 5-4 where a thrilling 10th game went to Rafael Nadal, taking his 3rd set point after having had to face 2 break points.  Nadal had constantly and cleverly served to Federer’s backhand and constantly beat Roger in rallies throughout the first set with immense forehands, taking the opening set 6-4.

Federer took a early break in the 2nd game of the 2nd set with a superb cross-cort winning and rallied into a 3-0 lead.  Nadal didn’t break back until the 7th game and held onto his own serve afterwards to tie the set 4-4.  Nadal then broke an edgy Federer and served out the set, 6-4 having taken 5 games straight.

The first 2 games went with serve and at 30-0 on Federer’s serve in the 3rd, Nadal slipped awkwardly.  After calling the trainer on after losing the game no medical treatment was given and Nadal was happy to continue.  Despite this and Nadal facing break point in the 4th game he held onto serve and tied the 3rd set 2-2.  Federer held onto his next service game and Nadal had to save 4 break points in the next to tie the set 3-3.  Roger Federer then took 5 points in a row from being 0-40 on his own service game.  Both players held onto serve up to 5-4 in the 3rd set before the 1st rain delay.

This may not have gone down too well Gwen Stefani in attendance!  Although maybe the tennis didn’t either, we only saw her smiling once or twice whenever and often looking bored and miserable when she was in camera shot!

The players came back onto centre court after the rain break and restarted the action at 18:10.  Federer was unable to return any of Nadal’s first 3 serves but fought back to deuce only to lose the game shortly after.

Both players won their next games comfortably and setup a 3rd set tie break.

 The first 5 points went with serve before Federer took an important 5-2 lead going into serve.  He took 1 of his service points that left him with 3 set points.  Nadal saved both on his serve before Federer aced him to win the tie break 7-5 and the 3rd set 7-6.

All 12 games in the 3rd set were held by the servers without any break points being face.  There were some great serves, shots and rallies.

Roger Federer broke Nadal in the opening tie break point with a fantastic rally.  Nadal then broke both of Federer’s serves for a 2-1 lead.  Nadal held his next 2 to take a 4-1 lead.  Rafael Nadal took 1 point from Federer’s serve to take a 5-2 lead and going into serve.  Rafael Nadal double faulted the first and netted the 2nd allowing Federer back into the match 4-5 down.  Nadal was unable to return either of Federer’s serves to give the Swiss champion a set point of his own.  After a long rally, Federer’s forehand-winning attempt sailed just wide: 6-6.  Nadal also held onto his 2nd serve to give him a Championship point on Federer’s serve.  Federer belted his serve and Nadal could only cushion the ball.  Nadal then broke Federer’s serve with a stunning forehand winner running across the baseline.  Federer saved it with a fantastic backhand up the line: 8-8.  Federer also broke Nadal’s 2nd serve to give himself a set point with his serve coming up.  Nadal’s return was too long from the serve and Federer won the tie break 10-8 to take the set and the match to a 5th set.

Games went with serve in the 5th set until the 2nd rain break of the day at 2-2 40-40 on Federer’s serve in the final set!
 

It was only a short rain break and when the players came back out, Roger Federer took the 5th game with 2 aces. Service games were a bit tight, but held by the server without break points, up to the 10th where Roger Federer was 15-40 but managed to win 4 points in a row and take a 6-5 lead in the final set.  Rafael Nadal held onto his serve to make it 6-6.  With no tie breaks in the final set the match had to continue until either player took a 2 game advantage.

Nadal had 0-30 lead in the 13th game of the 5th set but Federer held his nerve and held his serve.  Every point in this 5th set and most through the whole match were met with loud cheers.  Chants of “Roger” and “Rafa” were often heard during changeovers.  The fans were fantastic!

Nadal held his serve and then went 15-40 up in the 15th game.  An ace from Federer saved the first break point and an overhit shot from Nadal saved the 2nd.  When Federer faced a 3rd break point in this game, he saved it with an unreturned serve.  Unfortunately he couldn’t save the 4th break and left Nadal serving for the match…

Chants of “Rafa” were heard during the changeover as new balls were rolled out.  Nadal lost the 1st point but brought it to 15-15 with his first serve and volley of the match.  Nadal took the 3rd and Federer the 4th: 30-30.  A misshit backand during the 5th point gave Rafael Nadal his 3rd Championship point.  But a superb backhand return from Federer saved him again!  An unreturned serve setup Nadal for Championship point number 4 and a shot into the net by Federer gave Rafael Nadal his 1st Wimbledon Title.

With a huge roar from the crowd, he fell to the floor in celebration before walking over to shake Federer’s hand.  He then climbed up into the crowd to hug his parents, got a Spain flag thrown to him and then walked over a roof to the royal box for more hugs!  After coming up short the previous 2 ocassions, this one meant so much to him.  Congratulations to Rafael Nadal on his 2nd Grand Slam of the year.