Wimbledon history: Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal - 2007
The third longest gentlemen’s singles final of all times prolonged for almost three hours and thirty minutes in the 2007 edition of the Wimbledon championships. The mega tournament began on the 25th June and ended on the 8th of July. Roger Federer outperformed ‘the king of clay’ Rafael Nadal by winning the final match for the fifth consecutive time to tie Bjorn Borg’s record of winning the highest number of Wimbledon Championships. The Women’s title was claimed by Venus Williams by defeating French Marion Bartoli.
Roger Federer, who went into the Wimbledon 2007 final with a hope of equalling Bjorn Borg's open-era record, achieved the feat by winning his 5th consecutive title at Wimbledon. Rafael Nadal who amazingly made his way into the final match was defeated by Roger Federer with a final score of 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6 and 6-2.
Federer started off the match in a rather quick manner and took a lead of 3-0 by breaking Nadal in the 2nd game. However, Nadal did not give up all through the match and worked really hard to tie the break. It seemed as if Nadal had won the breaker at 6-3 when he got an over turned call through the electronic line-calling system. Although, Federer lost a couple of set points, but later on, he did end up well by winning the set at 9-7.
The second set of the game was a close affair which portrayed as if it was a serve competition. However, Federer once again served at 4-5 towards the end through his inspiring tennis. The third set of the final match similarly showed a superb display of tennis from both ends. Both the men had opportunities that were not availed and eventually it was decided through a tie break which was won by tennis master Roger Federer.
Federer played a rather pathetic opening service in the final match of Wimbledon 2007 contrary to the expectations of many fans all around the world. Nadal got an overturned call at this stage of the match through the electronic line-calling system. Although the ball dropped across the line, replays showed another angle. As a result, everyone had to believe that Hawkeye cannot be simply flawless at all times. By the time, Federer was clearly shattered as he asked in a rather hopeless manner to turn off the system. He ultimately lost the serve once again at 3-0.
Nadal at that point was leading 4-1 in the set however he called his trainer due to his knee injury. From there onwards, Federer attempted to stretch the rallies where as Nadal on the other hand looked in a hurry to finish off the points swiftly. However, Federer’s trick did not prove beneficial as Nadal was moving perfectly fine and kept on striking well.
The players held the serve of the fifth set to 1-1; however Federer went down to 15-40 in the third game of the match. It was a show of impressive serves. Towards the end of the fifth set, tennis master Roger Federer went down 15-40. However, Federer still managed to save it with a wonderful display of tennis.
Federer came back at 2-3, and jumped his score up by breaking Nadal. He then held the player at 5-2 and played like a true champion. Federer went on to win the match when he broke Nadal again.
The match was exceptionally electrifying from start to end. The first three sets displayed high quality tennis. However, much of the drama was shown in the last two sets of the final.
It has to be said that while the match had a fair number of fabulous points as well as winners, experts argued that the game was upsetting on certain occasions where the players could have performed in a better manner. Nonetheless, it was a truly thrilling Wimbledon final.
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