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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
Comments
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)

In control. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:05

41 winners, wow. We've only played three sets and three games!

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:06

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 1-3 Federer

Federer holds to love, and this match does, slowly but surely, look like it's creeping away from Rafael Nadal...

He can't quite connect with his forehand at the moment, while Federer simply isn't missing a thing, off either wing.

If there's one thing Nadal is though, it's a fighter.

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:07

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 2-3 Federer*

Nadal holds to 15, and finally connects with a whipped inside-out forehand in the corner!

He stays on Federer's tail. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:10

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 2-3 Federer* (30-30)

Joke tennis, absoute joke!

15-15, both players striking and moving from side to side, and Federer eventually cracks... slicing into the net. 

Next point, Rafa does the same, and is livid at himself for it! Big couple of points coming up...

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:14

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 2-3 Federer* (40-30)

Serve down the T, overhit Nadal return. 

Game point.

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:14

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 2-4 Federer

And that's why he has 20 Grand Slams. Nadal unable to return in play two points running, and Federer holds. 

Nerveless. Two more holds will do it...

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:15

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 2-4 Federer (30-30)

Strange shot choice from Rafa at 30-15. He's in control of the point, but instead of hitting a normal forehand, he drop shots (it's a poor one) and Federer hits a backhand winner!

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:17

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 3-4 Federer*

Nadal holds, with two big serves.

But that won't be enough if he wants to stay in this match. He has two opportunities to break Federer, otherwise it's curtains for the Spaniard. 

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:19

Can the eight-time champion hold his nerve?

Kieran Jackson12 July 2019 19:21

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