Wow! It was some match. Had to get through his rival Rafael Nadal. It was also the first time since knocking out Pete Sampras in 2001 that Federer had to play five sets in a match at Wimbledon. The final tally was 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2.
Totally exciting match from start to finish. Great shots by both. Federer’s serve was his biggest weapon, having over 20 aces. Nadal however was using great ground strokes, even some best reserved for his favorite surface of clay. It helped since Rafa isn’t the best server on the circuit (and he only had one ace the whole match).
Federer equaled the great feat of Bjorn Borg by winning five Wimbledon titles in a row, and the great Swede was on hand to witness history. During the on-court interviews after the match, Federer thanked Borg for attending and said he was honored to play in front of him and other tennis dignitaries and past greats today.
I was rooting for either play today, though leaning more towards Federer. He is a class act, and it was great to see him match another class acts’ amazing feat. Nadal though had a chance to do something that no player has done since Borg as well. Borg was the last player to win both the French Open and Wimbledon titles in the same year. Quite a feat since both are just weeks apart. Borg did it three times.
I think Nadal will someday win Wimbledon. And like this year, I am hoping that Federer beat Nadal in the French Final next year, and then Nadal beats Federer in the Wimbledon Final.
July 9th, 2007 at 12:41 am
I think had Nadal not played so many games thgis Wimbledon that he would have beaten Federer, but I’m happy that RFed got his 5 in a row!