Wimbledon 2008 final

Image from wimbledon.org

And what a classic and epic final it turned out to be.

In the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final, the inconceivable looked like to be happening after 1 1/2 hours of play. Roger Federer went 2 sets down 4-6 4-6 to Rafael Nadal. It really looked like it was going to be a straight forward straight sets loss for Roger Federer. This was after having a lot of break point chances against the Nadal serve. It is very apparent that Roger just didn't play well on the big points. Nadal's second serve was scuffed carelessly.... It just seems that he was nervous.

Then the first rain delay came.

When play resumed, Federer looked like a different player. He believed more in his shots especially the forehand. After the games going on serve, Federer took the 3rd set on tiebreak. The fourth set was even more exciting tho. Nadal had 2 Championship points during another tiebreak, one on Roger's serve and another on his serve. Federer saved the 2nd with a glorious down-the-line backhand. He then took the 4th set tiebreak and final was to be decided in a 5th set.

After holding serve for 2-2 and 40-40, the 2nd rain delay came.

Federer again held serve and games went on serve until the 15th game in the final set which Nadal broke to go 8-7 up. Then he held his nerve to hold serve and won the match and effectively became the new Wimbledon champion.

For me and Federer fans everywhere, it was a disappointing and agonizing day. It would have been a beautiful and epic story. To come back 2 sets down and winning his 6th straight Wimbledon title. I think he was even 2 points away from doing it.

BUT, you have to tip your hat off to Nadal. After losing the last 2 Wimbledon finals and losing 2 champion points in the 4th set of this final, he was very tough mentally to stay focussed and going for it. For that, and a wonderful and epic final, we must say congratulations and well done. He deserved the title for playing so well.

It does look like a changing of guard is on the making for men's tennis. But this is Roger Federer we're talking about. A once-in-a-lifetime talent and such a great champion for tennis. Hope he'll bounce back from what has been a difficult year and achieve more greatness and record-breaking moments.