London: Rafael Nadal struck back to level the men's singles final at Wimbledon on Sunday, taking the second set 6-4 against champion Roger Federer after the first had gone to the Swiss on a tiebreak.
Federer is looking to match Bjorn Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles and he looked to be on his way after taking the lead in front of the great Swede who was sitting in the royal box.
The World No. 1 started on a gloriously sunny day with an ace that whistled down the middle of Centre Court, the cue for a riveting opener in the showpiece.
Nadal, bidding to become the first man since Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back, immediately came under fire from the Swiss, dropping his opening service game when he swatted a forehand into the net.
From 3-0 down, however, the Spaniard caught fire, rocking Federer with a series of fizzing topspin winners. Playing with real aggression he boldly broke back with a searing backhand down the line and suddenly it was 3-3.
The quality of the rallies reached new intensity with Nadal serving at 4-5 down. The players traded exquisite shots at 30-30 before Nadal whipped a forehand past the net-rushing Federer.
There was drama in the tiebreak when Federer served on his third set point at 6-5. A Nadal backhand was called out but he challenged the decision and Hawkeye revealed it had clipped the line. Federer then netted a forehand.
Federer's fourth set point was squandered when he hit a backhand into the tape at 7-6 but he finally got his nose in front when he carved away a sublime backhand volley at 8-7.
Nadal quickly shrugged off the disappointment with a solid start to the second set. He looked the more dangerous player and had the champion in trouble at 15-40 after successfully challenging a first serve that was not called out in the sixth game.
Federer showed nerves of ice to get out of trouble. Federer found himself 15-40 down again at 4-5 and this time there was no escape when the 21-tear-old Nadal ripped a backhand past his despairing lunge.
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