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 Federer ties Borg with 5th straight Wimbledon crownNadal just misses chance in five-set classic
Holding his second break point with Federer serving at 1-1 in the fifth set, Nadal sped to his right into the doubles alley, quickly planted his feet and let a huge forehand fly down the line. For a split second, it looked like it would find the line, but it hooked just wide. Nadal would have another two break points in the fifth game, but Federer came up with a high-hopping kick serve and service winner down the tee. It was Nadal's favored forehand that might have won him his first Wimbledon crown, but, for once on a big point in the final of a major, he couldn't contain it. He had Federer's back so firmly planted against the wall that it seemed like the Swiss was about to mentally implode on grass for the first time in his career. But Nadal couldn't pull off the shot and later admitted that was his best chance. "It was tough for me because I have two 15-40s in the fifth," Nadal said. "One was big chance to have the break. I know if I have the break in the fifth, I have very good chances for have the title. Well, he saved some points with the serve. And later when he has to win, he has to break me. He played very good. So, well, just congratulate him. Good win for him." A newly confident Federer flew away after that game, easily breaking the Spaniard to 4-2 with a seeing-eye forehand down the line and then winning the contest with ultra-aggressive and sure-handed play. On match point with a full sniff of Nadal's depression in his nose, Federer crushed an inside-out forehand return, followed it up with a brutish forehand down the line and then climbed into the sky and nailed an overhead for the victory. It tied him with Bjorn Borg's Open era record of five consecutive Wimbledon crowns. In another first for the Swiss, he wept not just in joy, but also in relief. © TennisReporters.net 2007
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