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 | Record performances Take a look at players who have won and put themselves in the record books at the U.S. Open. NBCSports.com |
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“Tired? No, no. Not tired,” said Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni. “He played the first four sets completely even. Even.”
Federer has won 34 matches in a row at Wimbledon, and this was the first to go five sets. He’s played in 13 Grand Slam finals, and this was the first to go five sets.
And he was growing frustrated, both by Nadal’s relentless play and by what appeared, to Federer, to be questionable rulings by the instant replay system making its Wimbledon debut. After one call in Nadal’s favor, Federer cursed in disbelief.
“It’s killing me today,” Federer told the chair umpire.
Nadal had his chances in the final set. At 1-1, 15-40, he held two break points, but pushed a return long, then missed a forehand wide. At 2-2, 15-40, Nadal sent a return long, then Federer produced a 127 mph service winner.
“It was a tough moment to be in,” Federer said. “I was nervous.”
Those dangers averted, ahead 3-2 in the fifth, Federer grabbed hold of the match, getting to love-40 on Nadal’s serve. Finally, more than three full sets after the last time he had broken, Federer came through, ending a 14-stroke exchange with a forehand winner that kicked up a cloud of chalk.
Federer hit three aces in the next game to hold, then broke Nadal again. When he converted his second match point with an overhead winner, Federer dropped to his knees — the way Borg used to celebrate.
Waiting for the trophy ceremony, Nadal slumped forward in his chair, hanging his head.
“Losing in the fifth set,” Nadal said later. “It’s not easy, no?”
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