Day of destiny but Nadal proves he is catching up fast

Roger Federer threw his arms around Bjorn Borg and apologised. The world No1 had just beaten Rafael Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 to equal the Swede's modern record of five successive Wimbledon titles. It was typical of the Swiss. All champions must have a sliver of ice running through their hearts, but Federer still manages to be the most likeable of sportsmen and is always gracious in victory, even though on this occasion he was something less than complimentary or polite towards Hawk-Eye, the electronic line-calling system.

In the third game of the fourth set Nadal appealed against a call of out, and it was shown to be in. "How in the world was that ball in?" Federer asked the umpire, Carlos Ramos of Portugal. "Shit. I mean it's just killing me today." He asked for Hawk-Eye to be switched off, but to no avail. Many of the players know the system is not foolproof, but they have bought into it in preference to always relying on the line judges.

Federer was rattled, and understandably so. Not really by Hawk-Eye but by the 21-year-old Spaniard who has twice denied him the chance of holding all four grand slam titles at the same time by beating him in the last two French Open finals and is closing the gap on grass at a rapid rate. In last year's final Nadal pushed Federer hard. This time he was within a couple of shots in the fifth and final set of becoming only the second Spaniard to win the Wimbledon title. And surely one day he will.

There is something elemental about Nadal, although this should not disguise his huge ability to produce the most fantastic shots. There were times when Federer looked back across Centre Court, thankfully bathed in sunlight for the final, and shook his head.

The rivalry between them is intense, the respect enormous. For the time being Nadal cannot beat the Swiss on grass, while the reverse is true on the clay of Roland Garros. But Nadal gave Federer a much, much tougher time yesterday than Federer has ever managed on the Court Philippe Chatrier. That is the measure of Nadal.

It was a wonderful final and a fitting end to what had been a generally disappointing stop-go 121st championships which, because of the poor weather, was generally bereft of rhythm. No matter. Federer and Nadal brought it to a fabulous conclusion.

Nadal was all sustained muscular attack and expressive urgency, and managed to set aside the disappointment of losing both the tie-breaks to hit back with withering winners. For the first time in his 13 slam finals, which have now included 11 wins, Federer was taken to a fifth set, and it was so nearly his undoing.

The three-times French Open champion pushed harder and harder, driving Federer back on numerous occasions with the power of both his forehands and backhands.

In both the third and fifth games of that final set Nadal was desperately close to breaking Federer, but when it most mattered he narrowly missed shots that normally he would routinely strike inside the lines. This was pressure of the sort Federer always feels on clay against the Spaniard, where it has had a similar effect on him.

Nadal had received treatment to his right knee in the fourth set, although it did not appear to worry him unduly as the match reached its denouement. Indeed, as the final set unfolded, it appeared the youngster had seized the initiative. It was Federer who was straining to hold together the diverse strands of his game. Indisputably he had the greater variety of shots but Nadal's power and spin frequently knocked him out of his usual immaculate rhythm, with numerous shots shanked.

Yet when it most mattered Federer found his best, hitting a cluster of forehands that were simply too good for Nadal, breaking his serve for the first time since the opening set to go 4-2 up. He then followed this with a brilliant service game, including three aces.

Throughout this final it was the Federer serve which so often pulled things around in his favour. It is not the world's biggest but one of the most imaginative, being phenomenally accurate and deep.

Obviously it meant a massive amount to Federer to win his fifth title before the eyes of Borg, who sat in the front row of the Royal box, having strolled around Centre Court before the final began, in the company of John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.

After losing to Nadal in Paris, Federer altered his normal routine by missing the grass-court event in Halle for the first time since his debut SW19 victory in 2003. Doubts were raised. Was he too tired? Was he emotionally and mentally drained by his failure to win the French Open, the one slam to have eluded him to date? Yesterday he answered all the questions, but it was a damn close-run thing, and he knew it.

So Federer not only equalled Borg's record but also won his 11th slam title in total, drawing him level with Borg and his other all-time hero, Rod Laver. Only Roy Emerson (12) and Pete Sampras (14) remain ahead of him now, and the chances are he will overtake them both, for he is still only approaching his 26th birthday. But on this occasion he knew, more than any other time in a slam final, that he had been a touch fortunate. "I was the lucky one today, and I told Rafa at the net that he deserved it as well."