Wimbledon Mens Singles Final 2007
8th July 2007 14:00 pm
Venue - Centre Court, Wimbledon
Nadal (Spa) (seeded 2) Vs Federer (Sui) (Seeded 1)
This final turned out to be a great one. Federer, unbeaten in 34 matches and 4 years at Wimbledon, was aiming to equal Bjorn Borg's record of five consecutive titles. Nadal, who lost to Federer in last years final, was aiming to become the first Spanish Men champion since Manuel Sanana in 1966.
With Borg and Santana sat next to each other in the Royal box, the finalists traded a first set that went all the way to a tie break. Federer was mixng his serves well while Nadal had a clear strategy of trying to hit deep to Federe's backhand and then switching direction. In the tie break however Federer's abilty to get quick points won out while Nadal began to rush and could not set the points up as well. Federer therfore took the first set 7-6
The second set was more of the same. Nadal lead 5-4 on serve, then Hawkeye intervened. At 30 all Nadal challenged a line call that would have given Federer game point, the challenge overruled the call. The point had to be re-played, Nadal won it then then went on to break to take the 2nd set 6-4.
The third set went once again all the way to the tie break. Federer prevailed again to take a 2 sets to 1 lead. Then early in the fourth Hawkeye struck again. Nadal challenged another call successfully, this seemed to upset Federer who had a row with the umpire and quickly went 3-0 down in the fourth set. He lost this 6-2 to take the match all the way.
Unfortunately Nadal sustained a knee injusry that appeared to hamper his serving in the fifth set, but he managed to get to 2-2. Federer then held serve and then broke the next game, with Nadal clearly slowing down as he was struggling. This allowed Federer to take a 4-2 lead. Federer then saw out the next two games, finishing it with an overhead smash to seal his fifth title.
Federer's abilty to gain cheap points (24 aces to 1) espeically when Nadal was struggling and therefore had to work harder on his own serve than normal, was the key to victory today. The injury also meant Nadal was not able to go to Federer's backhand as much in the final set. having to change his tactics and playing into Federer's hands as he was able to set up more forehand winners.
So Federer deservedly in the end equals Borg's record, next year it will be all about if he can beat it.
RESULT Federer (Sui) defeats Nadal (Spa) by 3 sets to 2 - 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2
