Two Guys Sports
Bruce BostwickRafa Wins Wimbledon in Five Set Thriller
July 7th 2008 07:53
Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Finals - #1 Roger Federer vs. #2 Rafael Nadal
The rains delayed the start of the match by about 20 minutes. There were cheers when they started uncovering the court, and of course as he competitors walked out onto Centre Court. Rafa was beyond ready to get started, doing everything he could to warm up while containing his energy. As always, during the pre-match interviews Rafa was calm, cool and collected as if he were just heading out to play a match of tennis against an old neighborhood friend. Federer was essentially a mirror image of calmness in his interview.
Federer served to get the match started, and sent one into the net. After his second serve it looked like they were just warming up again, Nadal would send one into the corner that Fed couldn’t get to, 0-15 Nadal. Fed would storm back though to go up 40-15, and followed that with an ace. Fed takes the first game, 1-0. Nadal’s service opened with an ace that Fed just couldn’t get his racquet up to. Fed charged the net and won the next point. Next came another unreturnable serve that Fed put into the net, the next one he’d hit wide, 40-15. Rafa then double faulted, 40-30, but Fed went just wide again giving the game to Rafa, 1-1.
In the third game it became obvious that Fed was going to aggressively charge the net all day, as he came to net for the second time in three games. Nadal would win the second and third points as Fed hit a couple more wide, 15-30. Nadal sent one into the net to make it 30 all, but Fed sent the next one into the net, 30-40. Rafa would win the next point to break Fed’s serve, 1-2. It was just the third time in 12 grass court matches, plus this young match, that Federer’s serve had been broken all year. Rafa shot out to 40-0 lead in the fourth game. The next point Rafa challenged after it was called out, the review showed it was in and they had to replay the point. He would send Fed’s return back into the net, 40-15. Fed would get the next point also after a nice series of shots that sent Rafa way back and running all over the court, 40-30. The next point was just as exciting, with one Rafa shot hitting the net cording and bouncing to Fed’s side, Fed would win the point for Deuce. Rafa would send on long on the next point, Advantage – Federer, for break point. Fed would hit one just barely long to send it back to Deuce. Fed’s return of the next serve went wide, Advantage – Rafa. Back to Deuce 3 after Rafa sent one into the net, in a reversal on the next point Fed sent one into the net, Adv. – Rafa. Fed sent the next return into the net, giving the game to Nadal, 1-3 in favor of Nadal.
The next game Fed made it look easy, winning four straight points, and closing it out with an ace, 2-3 Rafa. The players switched sides before continuing. Rafa would go up 40-15 in the next game, before Fed hit one wide, 2-4 n favor of Rafa. Fed kept Rafa running to start the next game as he sent one he barely got to into the net, but Rafa then did nearly the exact same thing to Fed, 15-15. Fed came to net again on the next two serves, and Rafa had no chance to get to either return, 40-15. Rafa sent one out of Fed’s reach, 40-30. Rafa would then send one way wide making it 3-4 Rafa. Fed would go down 30-0 in the next game after charging the net unsuccessfully, he then sent the next one long to go to 40-0. The next point was fun to watch, it ended with Rafa hitting backwards between his legs that went wide and long, 40-15. Fed would sent the next one long, 3-5 Rafa. Fed made the next game look easy too, taking it on four straight points again, including an ace, 4-5. It was beginning to look like it was going to be a long day on Centre Court, but that is what we all expected this time around, isn’t it? The next game went to 30-30 after an unsuccessful challenge by Federer. Rafa got the next point to set up Set Point. He got another favorable bounce off the net cording, but it wasn’t enough as Fed returned it out of Rafas reach to send it to Deuce. Fed just kept coming to the net again and again, and it was working, Adv. Fed. He would come to the net again on the next point, but hit it long sending it to Deuce 2. Rafa then hit his first Ace of the day sending to Set Point for a second time. He would send a return long to send it to Deuce 3. The next one went into the net off of Rafa’s racquet, Ad. Fed. Roger returned the next serve into the net, Deuce 4. He hit the next one long setting up Set Point 3 for Rafa. Fed just couldn’t break the serve, and sent one into the net to give the set to Rafa, 6-4.
As they take their break I must point out that Nike is very well represented today. Every article of clothing both players are wearing are marked with their famous Swoosh. Yes, I said EVERY article, because I really do think their underwear probably had it on them too.
It was the first time Federer had dropped the first set of a match at Wimbledon since the 2004 finals against Andy Roddick. Of course, he did go on to defeat Roddick.
Fed took the first four points of the next set to go up 1-0. On Nadal’s first serve they both went to the net, and Fed got the better of it, 0-15. He then hit a nice forehand into the corner that Rafa couldn’t get to, making it 0-30. Fed sent the next one into the net though, 15-30. This time he came to the net, but Rafa sent it right by him to tie it up 30 all. Rafa sent one wide to set up break point, 30-40. Federer fired a forehand shot by Rafa to break his serve and go up 2-0. The next game went to 40-30, before Rafa’s service return went long, allowing Fed to go up 3-0 in the second set. Considering Fed’s serve has only been broken three times all year on grass this was going to be a hard road for Rafa if he was going to have a shot in the second set.
Rafa went up 30-0 in the next game but hit one wide, Fed hit the next one wide though to send it to 40-15. Fed would then return the next one long, 3-1 Federer. Fed turned on his serve, hitting three straight that were unreturnable, the next one got returned but Fed still won the point when Rafa sent one into the net, 4-1 Federer. Rafa’s service game would go to 40-30 before Fed sent one into the net making it 4-2 in favor of Federer. Rafa would go up on Fed’s serve 0-15, then 15-30, and then to break point at 30-40. Then on a man who had only had his serve broken twice on grass all year before today, Rafa broke him for the second time in two sets to give himself a shot at the second set afterall, 4-3 in favor of Federer.
Rafa then turned it on and went up 30-0. The next point will most likely make ESPN’s Plays of the Day, unless of course Rafa does something better later in the match. He was essentially standing at the net when Federer sent one to the baseline. Rafa made it back to the ball spun around and managed to accurately return the ball. Rafa would then send the ball into the net a few seconds later, 30-15. Rafa sent another one wide to tie it at 30 all. He followed it with an Ace, which was confirmed after a Federer challenge, 40-30. Rafa then sent another into the net to send it to Deuce. Rafa hit one that was called out, he challenged, and the computer confirmed it was out by about a quarter of an inch! Advantage – Federer. Then back to Deuce 2. Federer saw a chance to come to the net again, but he hti it a bit too hard and sent it long, Ad. Rafa. The next serve was returned wide sending the set to 4-4. You have to love the drama at this point. On Federer’s serve Rafa made it look easy, going up 0-40. He would only need two break points. On 15-40 he rifled one past Federer to go up, 5-4. The next game would go to 30-30. At this point Rafa got a time violation. He didn’t let that rattle him too much, his first serve was a fault, but he followed it with a nice one and would get the point 40-30, to set up Set Point. The next one Rafa would send a return into the net, Deuce. Rafa hit one wide, Ad. Federer. Fed hit one into the net, Deuce 2. He then sent the next one long, Ad. Rafa, and Set Point 2. Federer sent the next one into the net! Rafa wins the set 6-4 and is up two sets to none!
The last time Roger Federer was down two sets at Wimbled was when he lost to Mario Ancic in 2002. He has however comeback to win three sets after being two down three times in his career. The last time he did it was against an 18 year old up and comer in Miami in 2005, that up and comer’s name. . . Rafael Nadal.
Federer came out fast in the third set, winning the first game in four straight points again. Rafa’s service started 0-1, but quickly moved to 40-15. Fed would get another point, but then hit one wide to tie the set at 1-1. On Fed’s serve he would go up 15-0, on the next point Rafa tried changing directions and fell onto his knee, he stayed down briefly and got up limping. He called for a trainer, but didn’t want to take an injury timeout for fear of stopping his momentum. They finished out the second game while they waited for the trainer, Fed won it, he now lead the set 2-1. He seemed to be OK, but only time would tell. Rafa now serving went up 15-0, then Fed got a nice bounce off the net to tie it at 15 all. Federer had him running all over again, probably trying to test his knee, and went up 15-30, and then to break point 15-40. Rafa foght back though and hit an angled shot Fed couldn’t get to, 30-40 still break point. Rafa stopped play after he felt a Fed shot was long and out. He challenged, and was correct, it was out, this sent it to Deuce, then Ad. Nadal. Fed then hit the next one wide to give Rafa the game and tie the set at 2 all.
The dark clouds were rolling in as Federer started his serve. He went up 40-0, then barely charged the net and hit a light angled shot that Rafa had no chance at, 3-2 in favor of Fed. The tide started to change on Rafa’s serve, it seemed the bounces and close ones were going in Fed’s favor now. It went to 15-40, and break point. Now the clouds were so heavy that the grounds crew was preparing themselves. Rafa got the point, 30-40, still break point. Fed sent the next one back into the net sending it to Deuce. He got a nice shot into the corner, Ad. Federer. This time Rafa had Fed running all over, hitting one that he barely got to and put into the net, Deuce 2. Fed then laid another one in the corner and out of the reach of Rafa, Ad. Fed. Federer then hit one into the net, but challenged the call that the ball was in, it was in, back to Deuce 3. Rafa then laid in a nice overhead shot, Ad. – Rafa. Federer hit one long giving the game to Rafa to tie it up at 3 all. Federer serving, Rafa went up 0-30 after Fed charged the net and hit one long. The next service he charged the net again, but Rafa got up to and hit it right back, Fed could not hit it quite right, 0-40, break point. Rafa hit one into the net, then Fed served an unreturnable shot, 30-40, still break point. Rafa returned another one into the net, sending it to Deuce. He then hit one wide, Ad. Federer. Again Rafa couldn’t return the serve and Federer saved his serve, 4-3.
Rafa jumped out next game to 30-0, but then Fed got the bounce off the net cording again, and Rafa returned it wide, 30-15. Fed then hit the next two long to give Rafa the game, and tie it up again, 4-4. Fed jumped out to 30-0 after one ace, but then had his first double fault of the match, 30-15. Rafa would take a point to tie it at 30 all, but then hit the next two long to give Fed the game, 5-4.
Down came the rains. The players headed inside while the grounds crew covered Centre Court. The grounds crew should look into getting jobs in the off season as baseball grounds crews, man they are fast. They were expecting about an hour of rain before they could get back underway. One could only hope that the delay wouldn’t throw either competitors off their game. When the rains stopped and they got done warming up the delay was about 90 minutes.
Rafa serving from down 5-4. Fed returned the first serve wide, Rafa followed that with his third ace of the day, and then Fed sent a return into the net, 40-0. Rafa then sent one long, and another wide making it 40-30. He then double faulted to send it to Deuce. Rafa then hit one deep into the corner that Fed could hit, but it landed wide, Ad. Rafa. Fed then sent his own shot into the corner where Rafa had no chance at hiting it, Deuce 2. The next return went into the net back to Ad. Rafa. Fed hit another into the net, giving Rafa the game and sending to 5 all for the set.
Rafa hit one too hard and it fell long, but then Fed put one into the net to make it 15-15. He followed that with another unreturnable serve, but then double faulted again. Fed challenged and was correct, it indeed was in, so they had to replay the point. Federer won the point on an overhead smash, then got another ace to go up 6-5. Federer sent one wide one way, then another the other way, 30-0. He then had no chance on the next point as Rafa sent it sailing past him, 40-0. Rafa then served a 126MPH ace to send it to tie-break, 6-6.
Fed hit an ace to go up 1-0, then hit one long to make it 1-1, his next shot went into the net, 1-2. The next point Fed was called out, but he challenged and won again, it was in, replay the point. He then served another ace, followed by another making it 3-2. Rafa hit one into the net sending it to 4-2 as they switched sides. Fed sent the next one deep into the corner and Rafa had no chance to get it, 5-2. After a long volley Fed hit one wide but challenged, this time he lost, 5-3. Rafa couldn’t return the next serve which set Fed up with three set points, 6-3. Rafa got the next point with another overhand shot, 6-4. Rafa’s next serve was unreturnable, 6-5. On Set Point 3 Federer served his 14 ace of the day to win the third set 7-6.
Rafa served to start the fourth, his serve had gotten stronger it seemed, he won the game easily, 1-0. Federer started his service with another ace, a second one that was unreturnable, and the a shot into the corner that he won, 40-0. He then went to the net but hit it too hard again, 40-15. The next one went to the same corner, 1-1. Rafa’s service was filled with some nice long points where Fed had him down 15-30, but Rafa came back to win the game, sending it to 1-2 n favor of Rafa. Fed’s service game jumped out to 40-0 including another ace, but Rafa rifled one past him for 40-15. Rafa hit the next one long though to tie it at 2 games a piece. Rafa’s serve got to 40-15 before Rafa placed a drop shot to the right of Fed to take the game, 2-3 in favor of Rafa. Fed’s first serve ended with him hitting a shot into the net 0-15. After that Rafa couldn’t return the next two, and then hit one out, but actually challenged the call that the serve was in, it was in, 40-15. Rafa hit one out of fed’s reach then to send it to 40-30. Fed’s then hit another into the net to force Deuce. He then sent Rafa on the run again and made him hit one into the net, Ad. Fed. The next serve was unreturnable, 3-3.
Rafa kept him off balance the next game, taking it on four straight points, 3-4 Rafa. The next game was a hard fought one that got to 40-30, before Rafa hit one into the net to give it to Fed, and tie it up again at 4. The wind picked up and so did the unforced errors. Fed sent one into the net, then Rafa hit one that curved wide, 15-15. As Fed went to the net Rafa hit one across te court, Fed had no shot, then Fed hit one long, 40-15. Then another one long, game to Rafa, 4-5. Rafa won the first point on Fed’s serve with a beautiful drop shot, 0-15. He then hit one down the side right past Fed, 0-30. Rafa couldn’t return the next one, 15-30. Fed then drove one into the corner that Rafa couldn’t get to make it 30 all, and avoid double match point. Rafa then sent one long, 40-30. Fed then won his third straight second serve point to take the game, and tie it at 5 all.
On Rafa’s first serve he hit another nice drop shot, 15-0. Fed returned the next one into the net, 30-0. Rafa overpowered one that went out, 30-15, but the Fed went wide, 40-15. Fed couldn’t return the next one to give the game to Rafa. Rafa was now up 6-5 in the fourth. On Fed’s service he went down 0-15, then Rafa sent one that was called wide. He challenged it and lost the challenge, it was out, 15-15. The next serve was unreturnable, 30-15. He then made Rafa run again from one side to the other, 40-15. Fed then hit Rafa’s return into the net, 40-30. Rafa’s next return went long, giving the game to Federer and forcing a second tie-break.
Federer is 4-1 against Nadal in tie-breaks.
Rafa serving first, It was an incredible game with Rafa making a couple of incredible saves. By the way, one of these should also make it into ESPN’s Plays of the Day, I think he has at least two on there now, if not three. Can’t wait till I get done with this so I can watch Sportscenter and find out. Fed got the point though. Then Rafa got a quick one, 1-1. Fed hit the next one wide, 1-2 in favor of Rafa. Nadal’s next two serves was unreturnable, 1-4. It seemed Rafa might be just minutes away from that elusive victory on grass in England. Fed would drill one into the corner to make it 2-4. Fed’s next serve went on for a little bit, but he then hit one wide, 2-5. Rafa then double faulted, 3-5! He then hit the next one into the net, 4-5 in favor of Rafa. Fed serving now, he would eventually send one into the corner making it 5 all! The next serve was unreturnable, 6-5 in favor of Federer! WOW! Nadal serving for Fed set point. Fed sent a shot wide, 6-6 the tie-break is now tied! Fed hit one long, setting up Championship Point for Rafa. Fed’ serve was not returnable, back to a tie 7 all. Rafa poked one past the outstretched Fed to go back to Championship Point 2, 7-8. Rafa serving, Rafa charged the net and Fed sent one by him back to tie, 8-8. Fed made Rafa run again and got one past him setting up Set Point for Federer, 9-8. Fed’s serve, first one into the net, the next one Rafa returned long, set Federer! Onto a decisive fifth set.
Roger Federer 4 4 7() 7(10)
Rafael Nadal 6 6 6() 6 (8)
Federer serving to start the fifth. Fed took the first point after a wild attempt at a save by rAfa that went wide. Rafa then sent a corner shot past him to tie it up at 15 all. It then went 30 all, and then Rafa’s return landed wide 40-30. Fed then fooled Rafa and sent the shot in a direction opposite the one Rafa was headed, 1-0 Fed. Rafa sent one wide to start off his service, 0-15. Fed sent the next point long, 15 all. The next one was called long on Rafa, he challenged and it was in, 30-15. Fed hit one wide, 40-15. Then it was Rafa’s turn to go wide, 40-30. Fed would also hit the next return long, game to Rafa, 1-1 Federer hit an ace to start his serve, 15-0, but then Fed would swing and miss Rafa’s next return, 15 all. Then 30 all. Rafa’s return was long, 40-30. Fed would follow with a double fault, forcing it to Deuce. Rafa would go long again, Ad. Fed. Another nice drop shot from Rafa sent it to Deuce 2. Fed then hit a cross court shot that rafa couldn’t get to, Ad. Fed, again. Rafa returned the next one into the net giving the game to Fed, 2-1. Rafa’s serve, he would end up sending one wide, 0-15. Then he landed one just barely in that Fed couldn’t get, 15 all. Fed would charge the net and hit it too hard again, landing long, 30-15. Fed then returned the next two into the net to give the game to Rafa, and tied it at 2. Fed went up 15-0 on his serve, then he went to the net again, Rafa sent it right by him, but it landed long, 30-0. Rafa got the next two points, including one by winning a challenge to make it 30 all. Rafa had a shot called out, but challenged again for the second straight shot. Once again he was correct and it was in, they had to replay the point. Fed served an ace to still make it 40-30. They battled at the net for the next point, and Rafa pushed it past him to force Deuce.
They then had to stop due to the rains again. It was now about 8PM local time, meaning that there was little more than an hour of light before play would have to be suspended due to darkness. Unfortunately, since I set my DVR to record the match so I could watch it later in the day, this is where my DVR stopped! So, my highlights from here at 2-2 in the fifth set, with the scored of the fifth game at Deuce will be only from highlights I have read or seen on TV. I will be able to download the portions I missed shortly, even though I know the outcome. I really am dying to watch it! This rain delay lasted only about half an hour, but as expected when they got back on Centre Court the light was fading.
After it got to 4-3 in favor of Federer, Rafa saved a break point sending it to 4-4. It would move to 6 all, as Federer saved a couple of break points himself, 7-6 in favor of Fed. Rafa charged back and got it to 7-8 in his favor when Fed sent a shot long. Rafa was now serving for the Championship, he would move to a double Championship point. Federer would not go quietly though, he returned Rafa’s serve with what I hear was an outstanding backhand. Rafa was still serving for the Championship though, for the fourth time of the match, Federer would send a forehand into the net giving the Championship to Rafa!
Roger Federer 4, 4, 7(7), 7(10), 7
Rafael Nadal 6, 6, 6(5), 6 (8), 9
The match lasted six hours and forty minutes, elapsed time, and four hours and forty-eight minutes of on court action. It was certainly one of the best Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Finals in history, and I say this without having seen the end of the fifth set. Rafa became the first Spaniard since 1966, and just the second ever to win the Wimbledon Championship. He becomes the first since Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon Championships back to back.
Rafa now has his Grand Slam grass win, but can he somehow manage to win on the hard courts now? We’ll have to wait and see.
Largo vive a Rey Rafa! (For those non-spanish speaking/reading out there. . . Long Live King Rafa! )
Final Match Statistics:
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All three images in this post courtesy of C. Brunskill.
Rafael Nadal hoists his new trophy.
The rains delayed the start of the match by about 20 minutes. There were cheers when they started uncovering the court, and of course as he competitors walked out onto Centre Court. Rafa was beyond ready to get started, doing everything he could to warm up while containing his energy. As always, during the pre-match interviews Rafa was calm, cool and collected as if he were just heading out to play a match of tennis against an old neighborhood friend. Federer was essentially a mirror image of calmness in his interview.
Federer served to get the match started, and sent one into the net. After his second serve it looked like they were just warming up again, Nadal would send one into the corner that Fed couldn’t get to, 0-15 Nadal. Fed would storm back though to go up 40-15, and followed that with an ace. Fed takes the first game, 1-0. Nadal’s service opened with an ace that Fed just couldn’t get his racquet up to. Fed charged the net and won the next point. Next came another unreturnable serve that Fed put into the net, the next one he’d hit wide, 40-15. Rafa then double faulted, 40-30, but Fed went just wide again giving the game to Rafa, 1-1.
In the third game it became obvious that Fed was going to aggressively charge the net all day, as he came to net for the second time in three games. Nadal would win the second and third points as Fed hit a couple more wide, 15-30. Nadal sent one into the net to make it 30 all, but Fed sent the next one into the net, 30-40. Rafa would win the next point to break Fed’s serve, 1-2. It was just the third time in 12 grass court matches, plus this young match, that Federer’s serve had been broken all year. Rafa shot out to 40-0 lead in the fourth game. The next point Rafa challenged after it was called out, the review showed it was in and they had to replay the point. He would send Fed’s return back into the net, 40-15. Fed would get the next point also after a nice series of shots that sent Rafa way back and running all over the court, 40-30. The next point was just as exciting, with one Rafa shot hitting the net cording and bouncing to Fed’s side, Fed would win the point for Deuce. Rafa would send on long on the next point, Advantage – Federer, for break point. Fed would hit one just barely long to send it back to Deuce. Fed’s return of the next serve went wide, Advantage – Rafa. Back to Deuce 3 after Rafa sent one into the net, in a reversal on the next point Fed sent one into the net, Adv. – Rafa. Fed sent the next return into the net, giving the game to Nadal, 1-3 in favor of Nadal.
The next game Fed made it look easy, winning four straight points, and closing it out with an ace, 2-3 Rafa. The players switched sides before continuing. Rafa would go up 40-15 in the next game, before Fed hit one wide, 2-4 n favor of Rafa. Fed kept Rafa running to start the next game as he sent one he barely got to into the net, but Rafa then did nearly the exact same thing to Fed, 15-15. Fed came to net again on the next two serves, and Rafa had no chance to get to either return, 40-15. Rafa sent one out of Fed’s reach, 40-30. Rafa would then send one way wide making it 3-4 Rafa. Fed would go down 30-0 in the next game after charging the net unsuccessfully, he then sent the next one long to go to 40-0. The next point was fun to watch, it ended with Rafa hitting backwards between his legs that went wide and long, 40-15. Fed would sent the next one long, 3-5 Rafa. Fed made the next game look easy too, taking it on four straight points again, including an ace, 4-5. It was beginning to look like it was going to be a long day on Centre Court, but that is what we all expected this time around, isn’t it? The next game went to 30-30 after an unsuccessful challenge by Federer. Rafa got the next point to set up Set Point. He got another favorable bounce off the net cording, but it wasn’t enough as Fed returned it out of Rafas reach to send it to Deuce. Fed just kept coming to the net again and again, and it was working, Adv. Fed. He would come to the net again on the next point, but hit it long sending it to Deuce 2. Rafa then hit his first Ace of the day sending to Set Point for a second time. He would send a return long to send it to Deuce 3. The next one went into the net off of Rafa’s racquet, Ad. Fed. Roger returned the next serve into the net, Deuce 4. He hit the next one long setting up Set Point 3 for Rafa. Fed just couldn’t break the serve, and sent one into the net to give the set to Rafa, 6-4.
As they take their break I must point out that Nike is very well represented today. Every article of clothing both players are wearing are marked with their famous Swoosh. Yes, I said EVERY article, because I really do think their underwear probably had it on them too.
It was the first time Federer had dropped the first set of a match at Wimbledon since the 2004 finals against Andy Roddick. Of course, he did go on to defeat Roddick.
Fed took the first four points of the next set to go up 1-0. On Nadal’s first serve they both went to the net, and Fed got the better of it, 0-15. He then hit a nice forehand into the corner that Rafa couldn’t get to, making it 0-30. Fed sent the next one into the net though, 15-30. This time he came to the net, but Rafa sent it right by him to tie it up 30 all. Rafa sent one wide to set up break point, 30-40. Federer fired a forehand shot by Rafa to break his serve and go up 2-0. The next game went to 40-30, before Rafa’s service return went long, allowing Fed to go up 3-0 in the second set. Considering Fed’s serve has only been broken three times all year on grass this was going to be a hard road for Rafa if he was going to have a shot in the second set.
Rafa went up 30-0 in the next game but hit one wide, Fed hit the next one wide though to send it to 40-15. Fed would then return the next one long, 3-1 Federer. Fed turned on his serve, hitting three straight that were unreturnable, the next one got returned but Fed still won the point when Rafa sent one into the net, 4-1 Federer. Rafa’s service game would go to 40-30 before Fed sent one into the net making it 4-2 in favor of Federer. Rafa would go up on Fed’s serve 0-15, then 15-30, and then to break point at 30-40. Then on a man who had only had his serve broken twice on grass all year before today, Rafa broke him for the second time in two sets to give himself a shot at the second set afterall, 4-3 in favor of Federer.
Rafa then turned it on and went up 30-0. The next point will most likely make ESPN’s Plays of the Day, unless of course Rafa does something better later in the match. He was essentially standing at the net when Federer sent one to the baseline. Rafa made it back to the ball spun around and managed to accurately return the ball. Rafa would then send the ball into the net a few seconds later, 30-15. Rafa sent another one wide to tie it at 30 all. He followed it with an Ace, which was confirmed after a Federer challenge, 40-30. Rafa then sent another into the net to send it to Deuce. Rafa hit one that was called out, he challenged, and the computer confirmed it was out by about a quarter of an inch! Advantage – Federer. Then back to Deuce 2. Federer saw a chance to come to the net again, but he hti it a bit too hard and sent it long, Ad. Rafa. The next serve was returned wide sending the set to 4-4. You have to love the drama at this point. On Federer’s serve Rafa made it look easy, going up 0-40. He would only need two break points. On 15-40 he rifled one past Federer to go up, 5-4. The next game would go to 30-30. At this point Rafa got a time violation. He didn’t let that rattle him too much, his first serve was a fault, but he followed it with a nice one and would get the point 40-30, to set up Set Point. The next one Rafa would send a return into the net, Deuce. Rafa hit one wide, Ad. Federer. Fed hit one into the net, Deuce 2. He then sent the next one long, Ad. Rafa, and Set Point 2. Federer sent the next one into the net! Rafa wins the set 6-4 and is up two sets to none!
The last time Roger Federer was down two sets at Wimbled was when he lost to Mario Ancic in 2002. He has however comeback to win three sets after being two down three times in his career. The last time he did it was against an 18 year old up and comer in Miami in 2005, that up and comer’s name. . . Rafael Nadal.
Federer came out fast in the third set, winning the first game in four straight points again. Rafa’s service started 0-1, but quickly moved to 40-15. Fed would get another point, but then hit one wide to tie the set at 1-1. On Fed’s serve he would go up 15-0, on the next point Rafa tried changing directions and fell onto his knee, he stayed down briefly and got up limping. He called for a trainer, but didn’t want to take an injury timeout for fear of stopping his momentum. They finished out the second game while they waited for the trainer, Fed won it, he now lead the set 2-1. He seemed to be OK, but only time would tell. Rafa now serving went up 15-0, then Fed got a nice bounce off the net to tie it at 15 all. Federer had him running all over again, probably trying to test his knee, and went up 15-30, and then to break point 15-40. Rafa foght back though and hit an angled shot Fed couldn’t get to, 30-40 still break point. Rafa stopped play after he felt a Fed shot was long and out. He challenged, and was correct, it was out, this sent it to Deuce, then Ad. Nadal. Fed then hit the next one wide to give Rafa the game and tie the set at 2 all.
The dark clouds were rolling in as Federer started his serve. He went up 40-0, then barely charged the net and hit a light angled shot that Rafa had no chance at, 3-2 in favor of Fed. The tide started to change on Rafa’s serve, it seemed the bounces and close ones were going in Fed’s favor now. It went to 15-40, and break point. Now the clouds were so heavy that the grounds crew was preparing themselves. Rafa got the point, 30-40, still break point. Fed sent the next one back into the net sending it to Deuce. He got a nice shot into the corner, Ad. Federer. This time Rafa had Fed running all over, hitting one that he barely got to and put into the net, Deuce 2. Fed then laid another one in the corner and out of the reach of Rafa, Ad. Fed. Federer then hit one into the net, but challenged the call that the ball was in, it was in, back to Deuce 3. Rafa then laid in a nice overhead shot, Ad. – Rafa. Federer hit one long giving the game to Rafa to tie it up at 3 all. Federer serving, Rafa went up 0-30 after Fed charged the net and hit one long. The next service he charged the net again, but Rafa got up to and hit it right back, Fed could not hit it quite right, 0-40, break point. Rafa hit one into the net, then Fed served an unreturnable shot, 30-40, still break point. Rafa returned another one into the net, sending it to Deuce. He then hit one wide, Ad. Federer. Again Rafa couldn’t return the serve and Federer saved his serve, 4-3.
Rafa jumped out next game to 30-0, but then Fed got the bounce off the net cording again, and Rafa returned it wide, 30-15. Fed then hit the next two long to give Rafa the game, and tie it up again, 4-4. Fed jumped out to 30-0 after one ace, but then had his first double fault of the match, 30-15. Rafa would take a point to tie it at 30 all, but then hit the next two long to give Fed the game, 5-4.
Down came the rains. The players headed inside while the grounds crew covered Centre Court. The grounds crew should look into getting jobs in the off season as baseball grounds crews, man they are fast. They were expecting about an hour of rain before they could get back underway. One could only hope that the delay wouldn’t throw either competitors off their game. When the rains stopped and they got done warming up the delay was about 90 minutes.
Rafa serving from down 5-4. Fed returned the first serve wide, Rafa followed that with his third ace of the day, and then Fed sent a return into the net, 40-0. Rafa then sent one long, and another wide making it 40-30. He then double faulted to send it to Deuce. Rafa then hit one deep into the corner that Fed could hit, but it landed wide, Ad. Rafa. Fed then sent his own shot into the corner where Rafa had no chance at hiting it, Deuce 2. The next return went into the net back to Ad. Rafa. Fed hit another into the net, giving Rafa the game and sending to 5 all for the set.
Rafa hit one too hard and it fell long, but then Fed put one into the net to make it 15-15. He followed that with another unreturnable serve, but then double faulted again. Fed challenged and was correct, it indeed was in, so they had to replay the point. Federer won the point on an overhead smash, then got another ace to go up 6-5. Federer sent one wide one way, then another the other way, 30-0. He then had no chance on the next point as Rafa sent it sailing past him, 40-0. Rafa then served a 126MPH ace to send it to tie-break, 6-6.
Fed hit an ace to go up 1-0, then hit one long to make it 1-1, his next shot went into the net, 1-2. The next point Fed was called out, but he challenged and won again, it was in, replay the point. He then served another ace, followed by another making it 3-2. Rafa hit one into the net sending it to 4-2 as they switched sides. Fed sent the next one deep into the corner and Rafa had no chance to get it, 5-2. After a long volley Fed hit one wide but challenged, this time he lost, 5-3. Rafa couldn’t return the next serve which set Fed up with three set points, 6-3. Rafa got the next point with another overhand shot, 6-4. Rafa’s next serve was unreturnable, 6-5. On Set Point 3 Federer served his 14 ace of the day to win the third set 7-6.
Rafa served to start the fourth, his serve had gotten stronger it seemed, he won the game easily, 1-0. Federer started his service with another ace, a second one that was unreturnable, and the a shot into the corner that he won, 40-0. He then went to the net but hit it too hard again, 40-15. The next one went to the same corner, 1-1. Rafa’s service was filled with some nice long points where Fed had him down 15-30, but Rafa came back to win the game, sending it to 1-2 n favor of Rafa. Fed’s service game jumped out to 40-0 including another ace, but Rafa rifled one past him for 40-15. Rafa hit the next one long though to tie it at 2 games a piece. Rafa’s serve got to 40-15 before Rafa placed a drop shot to the right of Fed to take the game, 2-3 in favor of Rafa. Fed’s first serve ended with him hitting a shot into the net 0-15. After that Rafa couldn’t return the next two, and then hit one out, but actually challenged the call that the serve was in, it was in, 40-15. Rafa hit one out of fed’s reach then to send it to 40-30. Fed’s then hit another into the net to force Deuce. He then sent Rafa on the run again and made him hit one into the net, Ad. Fed. The next serve was unreturnable, 3-3.
Rafa kept him off balance the next game, taking it on four straight points, 3-4 Rafa. The next game was a hard fought one that got to 40-30, before Rafa hit one into the net to give it to Fed, and tie it up again at 4. The wind picked up and so did the unforced errors. Fed sent one into the net, then Rafa hit one that curved wide, 15-15. As Fed went to the net Rafa hit one across te court, Fed had no shot, then Fed hit one long, 40-15. Then another one long, game to Rafa, 4-5. Rafa won the first point on Fed’s serve with a beautiful drop shot, 0-15. He then hit one down the side right past Fed, 0-30. Rafa couldn’t return the next one, 15-30. Fed then drove one into the corner that Rafa couldn’t get to make it 30 all, and avoid double match point. Rafa then sent one long, 40-30. Fed then won his third straight second serve point to take the game, and tie it at 5 all.
On Rafa’s first serve he hit another nice drop shot, 15-0. Fed returned the next one into the net, 30-0. Rafa overpowered one that went out, 30-15, but the Fed went wide, 40-15. Fed couldn’t return the next one to give the game to Rafa. Rafa was now up 6-5 in the fourth. On Fed’s service he went down 0-15, then Rafa sent one that was called wide. He challenged it and lost the challenge, it was out, 15-15. The next serve was unreturnable, 30-15. He then made Rafa run again from one side to the other, 40-15. Fed then hit Rafa’s return into the net, 40-30. Rafa’s next return went long, giving the game to Federer and forcing a second tie-break.
Federer is 4-1 against Nadal in tie-breaks.
Rafa serving first, It was an incredible game with Rafa making a couple of incredible saves. By the way, one of these should also make it into ESPN’s Plays of the Day, I think he has at least two on there now, if not three. Can’t wait till I get done with this so I can watch Sportscenter and find out. Fed got the point though. Then Rafa got a quick one, 1-1. Fed hit the next one wide, 1-2 in favor of Rafa. Nadal’s next two serves was unreturnable, 1-4. It seemed Rafa might be just minutes away from that elusive victory on grass in England. Fed would drill one into the corner to make it 2-4. Fed’s next serve went on for a little bit, but he then hit one wide, 2-5. Rafa then double faulted, 3-5! He then hit the next one into the net, 4-5 in favor of Rafa. Fed serving now, he would eventually send one into the corner making it 5 all! The next serve was unreturnable, 6-5 in favor of Federer! WOW! Nadal serving for Fed set point. Fed sent a shot wide, 6-6 the tie-break is now tied! Fed hit one long, setting up Championship Point for Rafa. Fed’ serve was not returnable, back to a tie 7 all. Rafa poked one past the outstretched Fed to go back to Championship Point 2, 7-8. Rafa serving, Rafa charged the net and Fed sent one by him back to tie, 8-8. Fed made Rafa run again and got one past him setting up Set Point for Federer, 9-8. Fed’s serve, first one into the net, the next one Rafa returned long, set Federer! Onto a decisive fifth set.
Roger Federer 4 4 7() 7(10)
Rafael Nadal 6 6 6() 6 (8)
Federer serving to start the fifth. Fed took the first point after a wild attempt at a save by rAfa that went wide. Rafa then sent a corner shot past him to tie it up at 15 all. It then went 30 all, and then Rafa’s return landed wide 40-30. Fed then fooled Rafa and sent the shot in a direction opposite the one Rafa was headed, 1-0 Fed. Rafa sent one wide to start off his service, 0-15. Fed sent the next point long, 15 all. The next one was called long on Rafa, he challenged and it was in, 30-15. Fed hit one wide, 40-15. Then it was Rafa’s turn to go wide, 40-30. Fed would also hit the next return long, game to Rafa, 1-1 Federer hit an ace to start his serve, 15-0, but then Fed would swing and miss Rafa’s next return, 15 all. Then 30 all. Rafa’s return was long, 40-30. Fed would follow with a double fault, forcing it to Deuce. Rafa would go long again, Ad. Fed. Another nice drop shot from Rafa sent it to Deuce 2. Fed then hit a cross court shot that rafa couldn’t get to, Ad. Fed, again. Rafa returned the next one into the net giving the game to Fed, 2-1. Rafa’s serve, he would end up sending one wide, 0-15. Then he landed one just barely in that Fed couldn’t get, 15 all. Fed would charge the net and hit it too hard again, landing long, 30-15. Fed then returned the next two into the net to give the game to Rafa, and tied it at 2. Fed went up 15-0 on his serve, then he went to the net again, Rafa sent it right by him, but it landed long, 30-0. Rafa got the next two points, including one by winning a challenge to make it 30 all. Rafa had a shot called out, but challenged again for the second straight shot. Once again he was correct and it was in, they had to replay the point. Fed served an ace to still make it 40-30. They battled at the net for the next point, and Rafa pushed it past him to force Deuce.
They then had to stop due to the rains again. It was now about 8PM local time, meaning that there was little more than an hour of light before play would have to be suspended due to darkness. Unfortunately, since I set my DVR to record the match so I could watch it later in the day, this is where my DVR stopped! So, my highlights from here at 2-2 in the fifth set, with the scored of the fifth game at Deuce will be only from highlights I have read or seen on TV. I will be able to download the portions I missed shortly, even though I know the outcome. I really am dying to watch it! This rain delay lasted only about half an hour, but as expected when they got back on Centre Court the light was fading.
After it got to 4-3 in favor of Federer, Rafa saved a break point sending it to 4-4. It would move to 6 all, as Federer saved a couple of break points himself, 7-6 in favor of Fed. Rafa charged back and got it to 7-8 in his favor when Fed sent a shot long. Rafa was now serving for the Championship, he would move to a double Championship point. Federer would not go quietly though, he returned Rafa’s serve with what I hear was an outstanding backhand. Rafa was still serving for the Championship though, for the fourth time of the match, Federer would send a forehand into the net giving the Championship to Rafa!
Rafa celebrates after the winning shot hit the net.
Roger Federer 4, 4, 7(7), 7(10), 7
Rafael Nadal 6, 6, 6(5), 6 (8), 9
Roger Federer did not look happy to be the runner-up on this side of the English Channel.
The match lasted six hours and forty minutes, elapsed time, and four hours and forty-eight minutes of on court action. It was certainly one of the best Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Finals in history, and I say this without having seen the end of the fifth set. Rafa became the first Spaniard since 1966, and just the second ever to win the Wimbledon Championship. He becomes the first since Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon Championships back to back.
Rafa now has his Grand Slam grass win, but can he somehow manage to win on the hard courts now? We’ll have to wait and see.
Largo vive a Rey Rafa! (For those non-spanish speaking/reading out there. . . Long Live King Rafa! )
Final Match Statistics:
| Federer | Nadal | |
| Aces | 25 | 6 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 3 |
| Unforced Errors | 52 | 27 |
| Break Points | 1 / 13 | 1/ 13 |
| Total Points Won | 204 | 209 |
| Fastest Serve | 129 MPH | 126 MPH |
All three images in this post courtesy of C. Brunskill.
| 64 |
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