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As it happenedended

Wimbledon 2019: Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal result, Novak Djokovic through to final

Federer and Nadal served up a classic on Centre Court after Novak Djokovic secured his place in Sunday's showpiece

Kieran Jackson
Wimbledon
Friday 12 July 2019 14:54 EDT
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Wimbledon Championships in numbers

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A vintage display from Roger Federer took him past Rafael Nadal into the Wimbledon 2019 final in an eagerly-anticipated first grass court match between the great rivals for 11 years on Friday.

The 40th career meeting between the golden duo with 38 Grand Slam titles between them, swung this way and that before Federer seized control to claim a 7-61-6 6-3 6-4 victory.

World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic now stands between the 37-year-old Federer, the oldest finalist here since Ken Rosewall in 1974, and a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon title in Sunday's showpiece


Preview:

Wimbledon order of play

1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] 1 vs Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [23] 56

2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) [3] 96 vs Roger Federer (SUI) [2] 128

Last five Fedal meetings

2019 Nadal d Federer 6-3 6-4 6-2 (French Open, clay)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-4 6-3 (Shanghai, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-3 6-4 (Miami, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-2 6-3 (Indian Wells, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 (Australian Open, hard)

*Nadal 2-3 Federer

Very productive efficiency on serve by both players. 

Federer's first serves are effectively giving him free points. Comfortable. Hold to 15. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 16:57

Nadal 3-3 Federer*

A hold to love for Nadal - Federer barely hit a ball that game. 

18 minutes, six games done with absolute ease. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 16:59

*Nadal 3-4 Federer

Another hold to love, Federer heads to the chair after a clinical smash. 

Federer has only dropped three points on serve, Nadal two points. 

Tiebreak anyone?!

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:01

*Nadal 3-4 Federer (15-30)

OK, here we go. Long(ish) point at 15-15 - a net cord gives Federer the initiative, and Nadal nets a backhand with Federer at the net. 

15-30. Tense. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:04

*Nadal 3-4 Federer (30-30)

Nadal with a strong second serve and follow-up forehand. The Spaniard eventually approaches the net, with Federer stretching and hitting well wide on the backhand side. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:05

*Nadal 3-4 Federer (30-40)

Well, well, well. First BREAK POINT of the match coming up, as Nadal gets a backhand all wrong, going way beyond the baseline. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:06

*Nadal 3-4 Federer (40-40)

BREAK POINT SAVED!

Longest point of the match so far - Federer eventually netting a backhand. The Swiss didn't really have an opportunity to take control of the rally. 

Deuce.

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:08

Nadal 4-4 Federer*

Three nerveless points from Nadal, and he holds!

Federer goes long, and then Rafa hits a trademark looping forehand, inside-in, for a winner. 

A first scare on serve, and a first escape. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:09

Nadal 4-4 Federer* (30-30)

Fed goes an inch long with the forehand. 30-30. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:11

*Nadal 4-5 Federer

A "COME ON!" from Federer as he serves an ace down the T.

He does the same on 40-30. Game won. 

When it gets tight, both men seem to have the answers on serve so far. 

Nadal will now serve to stay in the first set. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 17:12

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