Rafael Nadal beat Roger federer 6-4,6-4,7-6,7-6,9-7 in the longest Mens singles final ever.In this installment of what is fast becoming, one of the greatest rivalries of all time. Both Roger Federer a.k.a 'Fedex' and Rafael Nadal 'Muscles from Mallorca' stood on the verge of history. But it was who Nadal became first man since Borg to hold both the french open and wimbeldon title's. In epic and enthralling final Nadal was clearly the better player.
The match lived up to its hype and promise not before the weather teased the spectators with some rain. The match got underway after the rain delay and Nadal seemed to have found his feet much faster than Federer, breaking early to take a 2-1 lead. The champion showed his mettle and pushed Nadal to brink in the 10th game of the first set but Nadal held his nerve to win the first set.
Federer came out fighting at the start of the second set to win the first two games and seemed to have the fight of cornered Tiger as he went on to take a 3-0 lead. Nadal suddenly of the blue came back from dead in the second set to make it equal at 4-4. The Nadal juggenaut could not be stopped, he went on to take the second set 6-4. The championship was just inches from Nadal.
The third set was a battle royale between the two. This set was a see-saw affair, Federer had a chance to break serve but could not convert 4 break points, Nadal too could not convert his oppurtunities also. At 5-4 federer leading and set going with serve the weather decided to tease again, the rain came down causing another delay. After which the set went to a tie break where Roger was on a roll and took the set to finally put himself on the board.
If the third was a battle royal, then the fourth was an epic which will go down in annals of time as one of the best sets of tennis ever played . The set went a tie break with both players holding serve. The tie break was played at level, which in was another universe. The spectators got their money worth just watch the tie break. It had everything volleys, drop shots, passing shots, absurd angles and anything that you thought was not possible. Federerfought back from 5-2 to make 5-5 and 6-5. My point of the match was at 7-7 Nadal hit a passing shot that was in my opinion simply absurd after being on the backfoot the whole rally. Unfortunately Nadal could not capitailse on 2 championship points. Roger played an unbelievable point at 8-8 to take a 9-8 lead and went on to win the set.
It just seemed destined to go to a fifth set from the outset and it did. Federer had comeback from the dead to even it out . The fifth set continued from where the fourth ended. The games went with serve to reach 2-2 and 40-40 on federer serve the heaven's opened again. It just seemed appropraite as there was nothing to choose between the 2 players. Returning after a short rain interuption, Federer went on to close the game. The 8th game of the set on Nadal serve was very tight as Federer pushed Nadal to the wall but this he kept his cool to recover well. Surely Nadal must have been thinking have I lost my chance after bein up 2 sets up? The game goes on 5-5 with both players wondering what they have to do to win this match? 11th game of the 5th set Nadal has two break points 15-40 up but is unable to capitalize. 15th game 15-40 Nadal up and he finally capitalise's. But Federer will not let it happen pushes the game to duece. And finally Nadal wins it on the 2nd duece of the 16th game.
What a few weeks it has been a amazing few weeks for spain. But it has been definately long time coming for Rafael Nadal and very much deserved. Honestly, It was the best final's I have ever seen in my short life time, Thank you Federer and Nadal.
I am sure I am going to be late to work tomorrow.
1 comment:
I'm going to be later :)
Watched all the after show stuff as well. Wasn't the match brilliant? I'd stay up everyday if something like this was on TV.
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