Roger Federer today claimed his fifth straight Wimbledon title with a stunning five-set victory over Rafael Nadal, equalling the modern-day record of Bjorn Borg.
With Borg watching from the Royal Box on Centre Court, Federer was tested to the limit in an epic contest before sealing a 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 victory in three hours and 45 minutes. It was the Swiss star's 54th consecutive victory on grass, 34 of those coming at the All England Club, and a fitting way to etch his name into the record books. Federer slumped to the grass in relief after putting away a smash on his second match point, and the 25-year-old wiped away tears as the capacity crowd rose to acclaim a brilliant performance.
The top seed took the opening set on a tie-break, but Nadal hit back to level the match and was often playing the better tennis, particularly from the back of the court. After losing only his second set of the championships, Federer was looking increasingly frustrated at being unable to shake off Nadal, frustration which magnified when he failed to convert a break-point in the opening game of the third set.
By the time Nadal served at 5-5, the contest had been going longer (two hours and 17 minutes) than any of Federer's previous matches in the fortnight, and was probably the toughest since last year's final between the pair. Another tie-break was required to decide the outcome of the set and again it was Federer who came out on top, his 16th ace giving him a 4-2 lead and he took it 7-3 with the first of his three set-points.
Federer looked to have seized control of the match, only to lose his serve in the opening game of the fourth set as Nadal whipped a forehand return winner past him. To make matters worse, the world No1 was then broken again in controversial circumstances in the third game. Nadal successfully challenged a call on the baseline to create a break-point, but Federer remained convinced the ball had been out despite the evidence of Hawk-Eye on the big screen.
He appealed to umpire Carlos Ramos to have the system turned off, complaining: "It's just killing me today. How in the world was that ball in?" Ramos was unmoved but some hope for Federer came after he held serve to make it 4-1, Nadal taking a medical time-out at the change of ends to receive treatment on his right knee. The 21-year-old appeared unaffected as he held serve on the resumption, and by holding serve again he took the set 6-2 to set up a thrilling decider.
Federer had the advantage of serving first in the decider, but Nadal had won his last seven five-set matches in a row, including back-to-back victories at Wimbledon this year. The only five-set match Federer has played at Wimbledon came when he beat Pete Sampras in 2001, ironically ending the American's own bid for a fifth straight title, but there was to be no denying the Swiss star.
Federer saved two break points in consecutive service games, and then broke Nadal with some inspired passing shots, three forehand winners giving him a 4-2 lead. And another break of serve then sealed a thrilling victory.