Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended
7 years ago

Jamie Murray/Martina Hingis vs Heather Watson/Henri Kontinen, Wimbledon 2017 mixed doubles final live

Follow live coverage of the 2017 final between Federer and Cilic

Liam Corless
Sunday 16 July 2017 10:20 EDT
0Comments
Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen are the defending champions
Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen are the defending champions (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Roger Federer enters the final as Wimbledon the clear favourite, having not dropped a set in entire the tournament.

Should he triumph, Federer, who turns 36 next month, will become the oldest winner of the Challenge Cup since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Marin Cilic is the man tasked with stopping Federer from winning a record eighth Wimbledon men's singles crown when the pair meet in Sunday's title showdown on Centre Court. But the history books are stacked against him.

In seven meetings against the tall Croatian, Federer has lost just once, a 2014 U.S. Open semi-final defeat as Cilic went on to claim his maiden grand slam title.

In last year's quarter-finals at the All England Club, Federer saved three match points before edging out Cilic in five sets and the closeness of that match is comforting for the Croat.

Follow live coverage of Sunday's final below...

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

What time is it?

The men’s singles final will start at 2pm on Centre Court.

Where will I be able to watch it?

BBC One will screen live coverage of the final.

Alternatively, check back from around 1pm onwards for game by game analysis and reaction.

Federer is chasing a record title
Federer is chasing a record title (Getty)

What’s the head to head record like?

It doesn’t look good for Cilic fans. The pair have played each other seven times before, with Federer winning six of those clashes.

Federer won their only match on grass – a gruelling five-setter in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year – but Cilic did famously knock Federer out in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open, which he went on to win.

What are their Wimbledon records like?

Roger Federer: 90-11

Marin Cilic: 27-9

Cilic is the underdog
Cilic is the underdog (Getty)

What have they been saying?

Roger Federer: “Thank God I've played also guys who were not called Rafa, Andy or Novak (in finals) in the past.

“From that standpoint I don't want to say it's more relaxed going into it because I have a good head-to-head record against Marin, even though the matches were extremely close.

“But it's not like we've played against each other 30 times. You feel like you have to reinvent the wheel. It's more straightforward, in my opinion. I think that's nice in some ways. It's a nice change, but it doesn't make things easier.”

Marin Cilic: “I was one point away from winning a match over here against him. Definitely, I believe in my own abilities to get through and to win it

“But I still know that it's a big mountain to climb. Roger is playing maybe some of the best tennis of his career at the moment, having a great season. So I know it's going to be a huge challenge. But I believe I'm ready.”

What are the odds?

Roger Federer to win: 1/4

​Marin Cilic to win: 4/1

7 years ago

Federer 6-3 6-1 3-3 Cilic* (*denotes next server)

An ace, a netted Cilic forehand and two unreturnable serves seal a love hold for Federer.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 15:40
7 years ago

Federer* 6-3 6-1 4-3 Cilic (*denotes next server)

Cilic starts the game with an unreturnable serve but back-to-back missed backhands see him fall 15-30 behind. The Croat then nets two consecutive inside-out forehands to give Federer the first break of this third set.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 15:42
7 years ago

Federer reacts

Here is what Roger Federer had to say in his post-match interview:

On Cilic's struggles: "It is cruel sometimes but he fought well and he's a hero so congratulations on a wonderful tournament and he should be really proud. This is such a special occasion to play in the finals and you did as good as you could. You had a wonderful tournament and sometimes you just don't feel great in the finals. But be proud of yourself and I hope we can play some better matches down the road."

On how well he's come back after a long break in 2016: "I've got to take more time off. I'll be gone again for the next six months. I'm not sure it's going to work out this well every time. It feels great and it means the world to me. We worked so hard last year so to be back here it just feels great. Holding the trophy now after the tournament that I've played, not dropping a set, it's magical. I can't believe it yet. It's too much really."

On his record eighth Wimbledon title: "I guess it's disbelief that i can achieve such heights. I wasn't sure that I was ever going to be here in another finals after last year. I've had some tough losses, losing to Novak in '14 and '15. If you believe you can go far in your life and I think I did that. I'm happy and i kept on believing and dreaming."

On the Centre Court crowd: "It's such a special court, so many legends have marked this court. To be here today and celebrating tennis is very special. From day one to finals day, Centre Court is always packed. It's a dream to play here and I hope this isn't my last match and I hope I can be back next year to try to defend the title."

On the presence of his wife and four children in the crowd: "It's very special. They (twin daughters) enjoy to watch a little bit, they come for the finals I guess. It's a wonderful moment for us as a family and I'd like to thank my team. Everyone is amazing on my team. This one's for us, thank you to everybody, thanks to the family, thanks to the team, thank you to Switzerland and thanks to everybody."

Quotes from BBC

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 16:12
7 years ago

Rog takes to Twitter

A simple message from the Swiss supremo:

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 16:48
7 years ago

Murray*/Hingis 0-1 Kontinen/Watson (*denotes next server)

Kontinen starts with an ace before Watson puts away an easy volley to put the defending champions 30-0 up. Murray then dispatches a backhand volley before a Kontinen ace and an unreturnable serve seals a hold for the unseeded pair.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 16:59
7 years ago

Murray*/Hingis 2-3 Kontinen/Watson (*denotes next server)

Kontinen holds to 15.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 17:11
7 years ago

Murray/Hingis 3-3 Kontinen/Watson* (*denotes next server)

Murray and Hingis go 40-0 up courtesy of a couple of unreturnable Murray serves and a forehand volley winner by the Scot. Hingis seals the love hold with a well-watched overhead.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 17:13
7 years ago

Murray*/Hingis 5-4 Kontinen/Watson (*denotes next server)

A couple of unreturnable Kontinen serves and an ace contribute as the defending champions hold to 15. 

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 17:24
7 years ago

Murray/Hingis 6-4 2-2 Kontinen*/Watson (*denotes next server)

Hingis loses the first point on serve but the next three points go the way of the top seeds as she and Murray bring up two game points. They can't take either though as a double fault and a missed Hingis backhand see the game hauled back to deuce. Hingis wins the next two points with unreturnable serves to hold.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 17:42
7 years ago

Murray*/Hingis 6-4 2-3 Kontinen/Watson (*denotes next server)

A love hold in double-quick time for Kontinen.

Ed Malyon16 July 2017 17:44

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

0Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in