Rafael Nadal: 'Roger Federer beat me at Wimbledon 2007 and I thought it was..'

Seeking the fifth consecutive Wimbledon trophy, Roger Federer went all the way in 2007 to match Bjorn Borg's record! In the title match 12 months earlier, Federer took down his closest rival Rafael Nadal in four sets, with the world's leading players setting another clash in July 2007 that went down to the wire. Nadal defeated Federer in the Roland Garros final a few weeks earlier, chasing the "Channel Slam" in London but having to settle with the runner-up spot for the second straight year despite giving his everything. After three hours and 45 minutes, Federer clinched a 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 triumph to write the record books and extend his winning streak at the All England Club. Roger fended off seven out of 11 break chances, prevailing in the closing stages of sets one and three and producing his best tennis when it mattered the most in the decider to cross the finish line first and defend the title.

Nadal had a slim advantage in the more advanced exchanges, which wasn't enough to keep him safe in the final set despite early chances that could have sent him in front. Speaking about the final, Nadal said it was a crushing defeat at that moment, giving his best and still finishing empty-handed. From 40-0 in the second game, Rafa suffered a break on Federer's third break chance, pulling it back at 1-3 to get back on the positive side of the scoreboard.

At Wimbledon 2007, Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nada in five sets.

The returners took only six points by the end of the set and they reached a tie break that Federer claimed 9-7 for a massive boost. The Swiss saved break chances in the second set's sixth game before Rafa grabbed a break at 5-4 with a backhand down the line winner, leveling the overall score and improving his chances.

The Spaniard fended off a break opportunity at the beginning of the third set, with both players serving well until another tie break. Roger won it 7-3 to forge two sets to one advantage, hoping to seal the deal in set number four. Instead of that, Nadal started all over and raced into a 4-0 advantage, playing on a high level to force a decider after dropping seven points in four service games! Federer had to dig deep on serve early on, repelling four break chances and drawing momentum that carried him home. The Swiss rattled off the final four games with breaks in games six and eight to seal the deal in style and join Bjorn Borg on five consecutive Wimbledon crowns. 

"It hurt a lot to lose the 2007 Wimbledon final; I was ready to win it that year, and I thought that could have been my last chance to lift the Wimbledon trophy," Rafael Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WuPXGK