Preamble Borg v McEnroe, Ali v Frazier, Bird v Johnson, Prost v Senna, Nicklaus v Palmer, Adamson v Mr Petrol ... Federer v Nadal? Last year the Swiss and the Spaniard became the first men's duo to contest the French Open and Wimbledon finals in the same year, and this season they've achieved the same feat. From recent evidence there seems little reason why they cannot continue in this vein for the next four or five years and build one of sport's all-time great rivalries.
Federer is, of course, dominant on grass - he is gunning for his fifth successive title today; Bjorn Borg, on Centre Court at the moment, is the only other player to have managed this in the past 100 hundred years - but Nadal has stated that holding aloft the Wimbledon trophy is his ultimate ambition, and he's a man who usually gets what he wants. Will he get what he wants today? You know what, I have a feeling he just might.
Warm-up The pair walk out onto court - Nadal, short and stocky, dressed in his customary sleeveless t-shirt and three-quarter length shorts; Federer, long and languid, decked out in his white trousers and jacket. In fact, Federer is so revered in these parts that he even has some lackey to carry his rackets to his chair for him.
The toss Is conducted in the presence of the UK's youngest blind-dog owner and, rather embarrassingly, the coin hits the dog on the head on its way to the ground. Federer calls correctly - would you expect anything else? - and will have a bat. Sorry, will serve.
My girlfriend was highly amused this morning when she commented that Nadal must get really "fed" up losing to Roger all the time, and demanded that I include this comment in my "blog thing". So there you have it. Laugh away.
The weather As the Americans like to say, there is some weather around. At the moment, the sky is half cottony clouds, half bright and blue; but rain is expected at approximately five o'clock, when the match could be approaching its climax.
First set: *Federer 1-0 Nadal Polite applause greets Federer's winning of the first point as Nadal's return clips the top of the net. Indeed Federer only has to make one shot that isn't a serve as he easily wins the opening game.
First set: Federer 2-0 Nadal* After impressively going 40-0 up with an emphatic serve-and-forehand volley, Nadal nervously lets Federer back into the game with a double fault and a sloppy backhand into the net. And then, when he has a chance to come into the net, Nadal declines and plays a ropey slice instead - Federer slams the ball back past him with his textbook backhand. And then Federer gives himself a break-point after a fantastic rally which ends when Nadal is unable to pass Federer at the net ... but Nadal maintains his form throughout a 13-shot rally and forces Federer into a mistake. Second deuce. One unforced error each. Third deuce. Another break-point after Federer makes contact with the ball a millimetre off the ground and somehow flicks it down the line and out of Nadal's reach ... but Nadal saves again as Federer, on the stretch, can't keep his forehand down. Fourth deuce. Wow! What a crushing return of Nadal's limp second serve into the corner from Federer. Third break-point ... what a miss from Nadal! With the court at his mercy, Nadal runs around the ball to work it onto his forehand but then wallops it into the tape.
A hugely entertaining game, with both players probing the other for weaknesses (unsuccessfully, of course), covering inch of grass from the baseline to the net, from tramline to tramline, realising that every point in this match is crucial.
First set: *Federer 3-0 Nadal I've already let off more expiratory exclamations in the opening three games of this match than I have in the whole of any other game this tournament. Federer wins his service game to 15 with an exquisite cross-court backhand that was not only beautiful, but travelled at the speed of light as it zipped by Nadal.
First set: Federer 3-1 Nadal* Like a professional squash player teasing an amateur, Nadal stands in the middle of the court as he works Federer from side to side before dinking a gorgeous drop-shot out of reach of his breathless and demoralised opponent. That was better from Nadal, who looked rather anxious in his opening service game.
First set: *Federer 3-2 Nadal Nearly all great sporting rivalries involve jealousy between the sportsmen - a feeling that one would be completely dominant if it weren't for the other. But there is no such acrimony with these two: while realising that without the other they would be remembered as all-time greats, there is a sense that they are pushing each other into legendary status with the beauty and intrigue of their clashes. In future years, when you say Federer you will think of his matches with Nadal; and when you say Nadal, you will think of his matches with Federer. After dropping down 30-0 thanks to two unplayable serves from Federer, Nadal makes breaking the world No1 look easy with four successive breathtaking groundstrokes that give Federer no chance whatsoever. Game on.
First set: Federer 3-3 Nadal* Nadal is playing with the variety of a great baseball pitcher: when his curve-ball, sinker and change-ups don't finish off Federer, he uses his fast-ball to fire the small, yellow sphere right by him. He is playing superbly.
First set: *Federer 4-3 Nadal I don't know what the ratio of winners to unforced errors is, but it must be pretty high. Federer gets his first serve back in working order in this game, killing off the points that his serve doesn't win for him with easy put-aways brought about by the serve.
First set: Federer 4-4 Nadal* It's almost as if these two actually play their best when they are stretched to the very limit. Already it takes two hands to count the number of times they've hit exceptional winners when on the run and with the ball falling to within a few inches of the turf. Federer does exactly that on the first point of the game, but Nadal responds with a forehand that clips the bit of white paint where the baseline and tramline collide - the only way Federer was going to be beaten. Three points later, Nadal is crouching, waiting for Federer to start serving again.
First set: *Federer 5-4 Nadal An easy hold for Federer.
First set: Federer 5-5 Nadal* It must be great to have such confidence in your ability that when facing defeat, you play your most agressive shots. 0-15 down, Nadal plays a daring, but perfectly-executed drop-shot; 15-30 down, Nadal fires down his quickest second-serve of the match. 30-30, Nadal wins the rally of the match, nay, the tournament with a ferocious forehand passing shot after setting a trap for Federer by luring him to the net.
First set: *Federer 6-5 Nadal Considering how competitive this match is and the number of times the ball is clipping the lines, it's incredible that thus far neither player has questioned a line judge's call. Perhaps the players think it goes against the spirit of a private duel that needs no outside influence to decide it. Federer again holds serve easily - despite the joy Nadal is bringing to this match, Federer looks the likely winner if the set goes to a tie-break.
First set: Federer 6-6 Nadal* Any half-hearted, floated shot - and there haven't been many - is pounced upon by a crushing forehand. Nadal produces one here to set up the tie-break.
First set tie-break: Federer 1-1 Nadal* Nadal lets off a Sharapova-esque squeal as plays his trademark squash-style wrist-flick shot by Federer from a seemingly hopeless position.
First set tie-break: *Federer 4-1 Nadal An unusual and ill-timed unforced error from Nadal gives Federer a mini-break, and then the world No1 serves and volleys twice to seize the advantage.
First set tie-break: Federer 5-2 Nadal* Another crucial error from Nadal, this time with the forehand. He has only made six unforced errors in this set (Federer has made seven) and two of them have come in the tie-break.
First set tie-break: *Federer 6-3 Nadal Nadal claws back one of the mini-breaks as his volley trips over the net-cord, but Federer gives himself three set-points with a top-spin heavy forehand.
First set tie-break: Federer 6-5 Nadal* Federer will have to win the set on his own serve after Nadal saves two of the set-points.
First set tie-break: *Federer 6-6 Nadal Federer is absolutely seething as Hawk-Eye intervenes to save Nadal. The line-judge called Nadal's backhand out and Federer was celebrating winning the first set, but Hawk-Eye said the ball had dropped IN. The point was replayed, and Federer smashed a forehand into the net.
First set tie-break: Federer 7-7 Nadal* Nadal saves a FOURTH set-point as Federer loses his patience and tries to force a winner ... but only finds the net.
FEDERER WINS THE FIRST SET 7-6 (9-7) It took 57 minutes, but Federer wrestles control of the match on his fifth match-point, finally shrugging off Nadal with a smooth backhand volley. There were more unforced errors in the tie-break than in the first 12 games of the set: first-class play followed by unbelievably tense drama.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 0-1 Nadal should take heart from the fact he lost the first set of the final 6-0 last year and still came back to take a set off Federer. Federer, who occasionally lets his standards slip immediately after winning a set, shakes his head in disbelief as his challenge to Hawk-Eye to overturn the line judge is unheard. An impressive start to the set by Nadal, who needed to hold here after losing the tie-break.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 1-1 After Nadal is the unlikely winner of an incredible rally that includes five volleys in a row, Federer is the winner of another to-and-fro at the back of the court ... and then the winner of his first service game of the set. After the staccato disjointedness of the tie-break, the players are back in rythmical harmony with winner after winner flowing off their rackets.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 1-2 BBC commentator Jimmy Connors says that if either player drops their level by as little as two percent, they will be totally overrun. And I agree. Neither has done so yet, which is why the tennis is so wonderful. I hope the reason nobody is emailing is because you're all glued to your TV screens.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 2-2 Miguel Angel Nadal covers his mouth with his hands - as he did when he missed that decisive penalty in the Euro 96 shoot-out between England and Spain - as Federer plays another blistering backhand winner. Neither player's serve has been threatened yet in this set.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 2-3 I don't know when they brought in the rule about changing the balls every seven games, but they might have to shorten that period the way these two are bludgeoning the balls at each other. At 40-30, Nadal wins another exhaustive rally that works every muscle in their bodies to ensure the set continues to go with serve.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 3-3 Federer is growing increasingly frustrated with Hawk-Eye. 15-30 down, Federer walks to the back of the court in the belief he had won a crucial point; but that omnipotent ruler, Hawk-Eye, overturns another of the line judge's decisions, and Nadal wins the replayed point to set up two break-points. Federer's response? THREE ACES IN A ROW. He is a true champion.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 3-4 Nadal holds to 30. He may not send his second serve down at great speed, but Federer is struggling to cope with the excessive swerve and slice it carries on it. For the fourth time in four, Hawk-Eye goes against Federer by the smallest of margins. He only has one challenge remaining in this set.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 4-4 Great rivalries generally have one man portrayed as the hero, another as the (often pantomime) villain. That's not the case here as both seem such likeable fellows. If one of them was to be favoured it would probably be the perfect gentleman Federer, but Nadal has that Zorro-esque infectious cheekiness around the court that is endearing to the crowd - they're certainly getting behind him here in the hope he can win this set and lengthen the match. There's little in this service game to suggest a break anytime soon though, as Federer holds routinely to 15.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 4-5 What a delicious shot from Nadal, who, after being backed into a corner by Federer, takes his protractor out of his pencil-case and measures the angle required on his low backhand slice to elude the racket of the great man. A couple of polished forehands later from Federer, the game is at deuce ... but Nadal's violent forehand triumphs against Federer's elegant backhand as the set continues to go with serve.
NADAL WINS THE SECOND SET 6-4 I do apologise, but I'm struggling to put into words how phenomenal this match is. It has everything - a standard of play that has rarely, if ever, been seen before; terrific tension and drama; and controversy. The latter element arrives as the line judge rules a serve from Federer in when it was out, and Nadal proceeds to win the point with a backhand played while he was on his backside at the back of the court. "He had the best seat in the house to watch that one glide over the net," quips Jimmy Connors. And then Nadal wins the first of his two set-points with a peerless two-handed backhand past Federer at the net. "Does anyone else hate the way that Hawk-Eye allows balls to be called in by margins of millimetres where they would not actually have touched the line given that the ball is spherical?" asks Jonathan Marchant. Yes, Jonathan, though I have to say I haven't given it too much thought in this match.
Third set (one set all): Federer 0-1 Nadal* Federer misses the chance to stamp his authority on this pivotal third set as he thunders a forehand into the net when a little more precision would have given him the break. That takes the game to deuce, from where Nadal surges away with one forehand winner across court and one unforced error from Federer.
Third set (one set all): *Federer 1-1 Nadal For the first time in the match, lady luck is in Federer's camp as Nadal's attempt to pass the Swiss at the net deflects off the net-cord and drops just wide of the inner tramline. How will the hugely differing amount of time these two have spent on court in the past week affect the match as we go into a fourth andpossibly fifth set? Will Nadal tire having already played two five-set matches? Or will Federer's lack of march hardness play a part? Probably neither - I'd imagine they'll keep the standard sky-high as long as they remain on court.
Third set (one set all): Federer 1-2 Nadal* Federer puts some pressure on with a remarkable forehand half-volley from the baseline which Nadal can only watch loop over the net and into the open court. But Nadal's serve is not to be undone and he charges back into the game with his relentless energy. "I'm definitely glued to this very competitive final," writes James Houston. "I'm seem to be enjoying it nearly as much as Jimmy Connors in the BBC commentary box. He can often be heard releasing the same sort of appreciative moans as a gourmand enjoying a yummy chocolate pudding."
Third set (one set all): *Federer 2-2 Nadal Blimey, despite Nadal's superstitious pulling up of his socks and drying down with his towel, it takes Federer only 60 seconds to win the fourth game of the set.
Third set (one set all): Federer 2-3 Nadal* Anything Federer can do, Nadal can do just as well. Another service game to love in minimal time. Nadal's forehand is the star of this particular game, two successive winners wrongfooting Federer. But it's not all about incessant power from Nadal, he has a gorgeous touch too, as he demonstrates when he plays another squash-style drop-shot which skims the top of the net before landing a foot or two inside Federer's half of the court. You'd expect such a shot to be followed by a fist-pump or two, but there have been very few celebrations from either player in the match - they both realise there is still so much hard work to be done by the eventual winner that it's almost discourteous to start cheering yet.
Third set (one set all): *Federer 3-3 Nadal It's not often you see Spaniards diving about on grass a la Boris Becker 1985, but Nadal does so here to enable his backhand volley to creep over the net. But even that doesn't win another thrilling rally as Federer anticipates where Nadal would put the ball and brushes it back past his stricken opponent.
Third set (one set all): Federer 3-4 Nadal* AN UNFORCED ERROR! FEDERER JUST PLAYED AN UNFORCED ERROR! With the standard of play having reached a new peak with a quite staggering "get" by Nadal, Federer drops a backhand wide at a critical moment at 30-30. The Beeb show a stat which says both players have played more than twice the number of winners to unforced errors.
Third set (one set all): *Federer 4-4 Nadal Federer wastes no time in evening up the score, winning the tone-setting first point of the game by reading Nadal's attempt to go across him at the net and planting a volley into the corner.
Third set (one set all): Federer 4-5 Nadal* The Beeb's tennis version of Channel 4 cricket analyst Simon Hughes (or ITV's tactics truck driver Andy Townsend) notes that Nadal is standing four metres closer to Federer when he the Swiss is serving than he did a month ago in Paris. That's an enormous adjustment and goes to show just how impressive it is that Nadal has been able to tinker with his game to make himself competitive here. Meanwhile, back on court Federer, normally as neutral as the rest of his countrymen, can't help but emit a yelp as his forehand is impeded by the net at 30-30. Nadal wins the next point too and this set is now entering crunch-time. "Whilst the ball, at rest and unpressed, is spherical, the patch of ground it touches when it is travelling at high speed and impacts with a hard and somewhat slippery surface, is not," writes John Pyle, who sounds like the sort of intelligent chap whom we can trust. "This explains the sort of oval or elliptical shapes Hawk-Eye shows. (I imagine)."
Third set (one set all): *Federer 5-5 Nadal Federer is back to his expressionless best as ace after winner after ace moves him 40-0 up. But wait! Another delectable drop-shot from Nadal kickstarts a rally from the Spaniard which takes the game to deuce thanks to two errors by Federer. Oh my goodness! Nadal plays what I believe is the first lob of the match, but Federer reaches as high as he can and slams the ball into the ground with an astounding backhand smash ... and then wins the game with another astonishing volley after Nadal had fizzed a backhand down the line which most players wouldn't even have bothered to try to reach.
Third set (one set all): Federer 5-6 Nadal* We may only be in the third set, but at two hours and 20 minutes this is already the longest match Federer has played in these championships. Every time one of the players makes an unforced error, gasps resound around the stands - mind-boggling winners have become so commonplace in this match that the few-and-far between mistakes are far more surprising. Nadal makes such an error to let Federer in at 40-30, but recovers with a solid first serve in the next point.
Third set (one set all): *Federer 6-6 Nadal Nadal plays an inch-perfect backhand into the small space Federer had granted him at the net to go 15-30 up, but throws away his advantage by rushing an almost identical chance. And then Nadal angers Federer with a piece of gamesmanship, challenging an ace from the great man that was clearly in - Federer turns away in disgust, awaits the ruling in his favour, and then fires down another unreturnable first serve to take them into a second tie-break.
Third set tie-break: *Federer 2-1 Nadal Federer wins the first point on Nadal's serve - as he did in the first set tie-break - with a cracking forehand down the line. But Nadal retrieves the mini-break by latching onto a second serve that sits up perfectly for a return back past Federer.
Third set tie-break: Federer 3-2 Nadal* Nadal wrongfoots Federer twice with big forehands; but whereas the second one lands on the baseline, the first bounces just the wrong side of that same line to hand Federer another mini-break.
Third set tie-break: *Federer 5-2 Nadal Nadal fails to return either of Federer's first serves, and is now up against it.
Third set tie-break: Federer 6-3 Nadal* Federer has the luxury of two set-points on his serve...
FEDERER WINS THE THIRD SET 7-6 (7-3) Federer allows himself a small fist-pump and a glance up to his entourage in the stands, where Mrs Federer remains as icy cool as Ivan Drago's wife in Rocky IV. How she can stay so unmoved when all around her are applauding wildly is a mystery. Judging by the stats, Federer deserved to win the set - he won more points, he had a marginally better first-serve percentage, he won 10 points at the net to Nadal's one, and he returned 80% of Nadal's serves to Nadal's 50%.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-1 "Afternoon Mike, I'm not really into this tennis malarkey, so at what time do I need to shout 'COME ON TIM?'" asks Andy Bradshaw. "As I believe that is the done thing at these occasions?" I don't know about "come on Tim", but I just let slip an involuntary "come on" as Nadal wins four points in a row to break Federer in the first game of the fourth set. There are plenty of "come on Rafa"s emanating from the crowd. This match deserves a fifth set.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-2 Federer is successfully returning Nadal's serve four-fifths of the time, which makes it incredible that the Spaniard has only been broken once in 18 games.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-3 Two woeful errors from Federer - he hits the ball so hard that when he mistimes a shot by just a fraction, it flies off his racket at a bizarre angle - give Nadal a 0-30 lead. Federer hits back with two aces, but then Hawk-Eye rears its ugly head again. Nadal hit a shot that Federer was happy to leave, it looked like the ball was a centimetre or two out even on slow replays, but Hawk-Eye ruled it in by a millimetre. When Nadal then won the break-point, Federer let loose an uncharacteristic rant including the dreaded "s" word: "This system is killing me today. How was that in? Can we not turn it off?" he asked. The umpire can't do much in this situation - the ball did look out, but how can he overrule the machine? Anyway, Nadal has now broken Federer four times in this match - Federer was broken only three times in his first six matches in this tournament.
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 0-4 Another exemplary service game from Nadal. When was the last time Federer lost a set 6-0?
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-4 Federer is getting very testy. Every now and then he's whispering a snide remark ("not going to challenge that one?"), when it might be best if he let rip a McEnroe-esque tirade to rid himself of this simmering agression. Nadal prolongs Federer's agony by stretching the game out to deuce, but the world No1 channels his anger well enough to win the two points required to register a score in this set. "The really big difference between Federer and Nadal and which explains why the odds on grass will always favour Federer is that his serve is better," wrote Chris Uregian at the beginning of this set. "All the stats you mention relating to the third set hinge critically on Federer getting more aces or setting up easy points on his serve. Nadal it seems has to work more in his service games. Leaving aces aside, who has won more points in 'open play'? Nadal's serve doesn't allow opponents to attack him but is less effective in gaining the initial advantage. This has to be the area where he must develop if he is to beat Federer on grass." It seems Nadal developed that area pretty well between the third and fourth sets, Chris!
Federer leads Nadal* 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 1-5 There is concern on Centre Court as Nadal summons the doctor/physio/trainer to inspect his knee. The diagnosis in the commentary box is a patella tendon problem - it would be a sporting tragedy if injury was to interrupt this budding classic. After the three-minute medical time-out, Federer opts to test out Nadal's mobility by merely keeping the ball in play rather than looking for quick winners. Nadal looks uneasy when serving a double-fault, but he still continues to whizz around the court chasing down ball after ball. Because Federer has won so much by means of talent, he hasn't had to channel frustration and aggression positively in order to win, at least not for a few years," writes Gary Naylor. "That's a special skill that sports true greats possess - Federer is a great, but the next hour might show how great." Spot on, Gary. This match is going to define both of these players. Federer has never been taken to five sets in a Wimbledon final before - indeed, it is difficult to recall the details of any of his finals because he has been so superior to his opponents. Now he has to prove that he is a great match-player.
*Federer leads Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-5 Federer holds to 15, but he needs to break Nadal twice if he's to avoid being taken the distance. Incidentally, Martin Scheffer has been doing my job for me and has written in to inform us all that Federer has not lost a set 6-0 since 1999. Well, that record is still intact. "So, when is Hawk-Eye coming to the Premiership so we don't have anymore Roy Carroll incidents?" asks Rob Hisnay. Well, pretty soon it seems, Rob. "And here in America, the Gillette Shaving company has begun airing ads featuring Federer, Woods, and Thierry Henry." The best a man can get.
NADAL WINS THE FOURTH SET 6-2 Nadal saunters off court for a comfort break/some treatment to his knee after wrapping up the fourth set with a relatively straightforward service game. Now then, Nadal has won his last seven five-setters, while Federer hasn't played a single one this year (he romped to the Australian Open title without dropping a set). Can we read anything into that?
Fifth set: *Federer 1-0 Nadal The crowd give the players a standing ovation as they leave their seats, as if they are two slugging heavyweights emerging for the 12th round after a bruising battle. Federer has the advantage of serving first, and makes good use of that advantage by holding to 15. There were, of course, an assortment of beautiful shots played, but it's becoming a little repetitive relaying stories of them all.
Fifth set: Federer 1-1 Nadal* For the first time, a doubt enters my mind that Nadal might be tiring as he plays a loose forehand a foot or so too long. But that doubt is quickly erased as the Spaniard rounds off a 20-stroke rally with a postage-stamp backhand into the corner of Federer's half of the court. "Can they use Hawkeye on Rafa's knee to check how much his patella is displaced?" asks Gary Naylor. "Roger might even approve."
Fifth set: *Federer 2-1 Nadal Here's a great piece of trivia - the only other time Federer has played a five-set match at Wimbledon was in 2001 ... against Pete Sampras ... when Sampras was going for his FIFTH title in a row. HOLD ON! 15-40! Nadal's return is long. 30-40! Nadal has Federer on the back foot, but the Swiss struggles on until Nadal's attempted knockout blow lands this ................. far wide. DEUCE! And in an instant, "GAME FEDERER". This is thrilling.
Fifth set: Federer 2-2 Nadal* All of a sudden, Nadal is volleying like a tanned Steffan Edberg. The more points he can win on his service game inside two or three shots, the more energy he will save to attack Federer's serve. "This is Federer's equivalent of the the Rumble in the Jungle's eighth round," reckons Gary Naylor. "A younger, physically more imposing man must be defeated with guile and self-belief. We are watching tennis's equivalent of Ali define himself. It is that big." It is without doubt the best tennis match I have ever seen - the 2001 Rafter-Ivanisevic final was terrific entertainment, but not nearly as aesthetically pleasing. The great thing about these players is they are BOTH so multi-dimensional, meaning that every point is different and offers something new.
Fifth set: *Federer 3-2 Nadal 15-40 AGAIN! Pushed out wide onto his backhand, Nadal is unable to return. 30-40 ... again Nadal can't return a fierce Federer serve to his backhand. Deuce. And a loud cheer goes up around the arena as Federer's forehand bails him out again; even Mrs Federer puts her hands together in appreciation. That's four break-points saved by Federer in this set - so rarely does his serve come under such a rigorous examination. Indeed Federer is becoming so increasingly desperate that he even turned to his arch-nemesis, Hawk-Eye, for aid in this game - none was forthcoming though.
Fifth set: Federer 4-2 Nadal* Three forehand winners give Federer three break-points ... Nadal saves the first with a fearless and fearsome forehand of his own ... but he can do nothing about the second as both players produce shot after shot of the highest quality, the ball emerging from it white after landing on the line so frequently, which is ended so magnificently by a Federer forehand which even the dashing Nadal could not reach.
Fifth set: *Federer 5-2 Nadal While I'm still writing about that amazing point in the previous game, Federer races through this one to put himself one game away from history. Anyone fancy arguing that Venus Williams and Marion Bartoli deserve equal pay for yesterday's shortlived women's final.
Fifth set: Federer 5-2 Nadal* Second deuce. Federer is two points from the title. And now MATCH POINT! Federer's return is powerfully struck but Nadal digs deep to take blow after blow until Federer's adrenaline gets the better of him and he hits a forehand long. But now there's another MATCH POINT! And as a fitting microcosm of the entire match, the players contest a wonderful point that has Federer dominating and Nadal scrambling, the latter finally teeing up the former for an emphatic overhead putaway. Federer falls to his knees, understandably overcome with emotion as Bjorn Borg in the royal box rises to applaud the greatest of champions. Nadal advances to the net and embraces his opponent. A heartfelt bond is developing between these two, and it is a joy for anyone who has the privilege of witnessing it.
ROGER FEDERER WINS THE BEST MATCH FOR YEARS 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 and with it, he matches Bjorn Borg's record of five successive Wimbledon titles. The past four hours are why we all love sport so. Thanks for your emails, Mike.