Roger Federer left the door tantalizingly ajar for local hero Andy Murray in the Wimbledon men’s singles final on Sunday, then slammed it shut to win a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title and in so doing return to the top of the world rankings.
The Swiss great, contesting his eighth final at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, flirted with danger in the second set after losing the first, but just when Murray looked like ending 76 years of plucky British failure Federer gave a stunning reminder of his genius to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court.
When a Murray forehand looped narrowly wide after 3 hours, 24 minutes of enthralling action, Federer dropped to the turf in joy, just as he did in 2003 when he beat Australia’s Mark Philippoussis to begin a Grand Slam collection that now stands at 17.
Photo: Reuters
For the second time in three Grand Slam finals against Murray he reduced the Scot to tears, although this match, unlike the others, was a contest to savor.
It was only after Centre Court’s translucent lid was slid across after heavy rain began to fall in the heart of the final that Federer took charge, striding to the win that puts him level with Pete Sampras’ record of seven Wimbledon crowns.
At 30 years, 335 days he also became the oldest men’s champion since Arthur Ashe in 1975 and, to put the icing on the cake, yesterday’s rankings showed him back at No. 1 for the first time in two years, equaling Sampras’ record of 286 weeks at the summit.
Photo: AFP
“I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of matches,” Federer said after raising the trophy with his wife, Mirka, and giggling twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, watching on from the players’ box.
“I’ve missed playing in the finals and it feels like a great moment. I’ve gone through some struggles, so this one comes at the right time,” added Federer, whose last Grand Slam title was at the 2010 Australian Open.
For Murray, his girlfriend Kim Sears and many of the thousands watching the huge screen on Henman Hill under a forest of umbrellas, there was just despair.
“I’m getting closer,” Murray, whose valiant efforts were watched by Royal Box guests British Prime Minister David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton, choked as applause rang out.
“I was told after my semi-final that this was my best chance, Roger’s 30 now, but he’s not bad for a 30-year-old, he played a great tournament. Congratulations, you deserve it,” Murray said.
While Federer basked in the glow of another major title, Murray was left to contemplate equaling coach Ivan Lendl’s unwanted record of losing his first four Grand Slam finals.
A gracious Federer had words of encouragement.
“I think he’s giving himself so many looks at big titles. I really do believe deep down in me he will win Grand Slams, not just one,” Federer told reporters.
By defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday, Murray had become the first British man to reach the final since Bunny Austin in 1938 and as the players set foot on a sunlit Centre Court, there was an electric buzz of anticipation that he would emulate the 1936 title of Fred Perry.
Having failed to win a set in two Australian Open finals and one US Open final, Murray would have been excused early match nerves, but he came out firing to break Federer in the opening game of the match.
Federer quickly restored parity and wasted break points when leading 4-3 as Murray’s first serve started to misfire.
The Swiss was made to pay in the following game, sloppily dropping serve and Murray closed out the opening set with ease to a deafening roar from the 15,000 crowd.
Murray was the more threatening player in the second and upped the ante at 4-4, only to squander two break points that would have given him the chance to serve for a two-set lead and leave Federer facing a daunting task.
“The second set I had some chances and didn’t quite get them,” Murray said. “Often what happens is matches change over a couple of points here and there.”
That was the case as Federer seized his chance. A tiebreak loomed but, out of nowhere, Federer conjured a set point with an exquisite drop-shot and grabbed it with another stunning volley after a mesmerizing rally.
The crowd sighed and then the rain began to fall, a prelude to the British tears that were to flow later.
After a 40-minute break while the roof was rolled into position, the players returned, only this time Federer looked a different player — dominating rallies with a dazzling mixture of power, spin and clever angles.
Had Murray survived a marathon service game at 2-3 in the third, things may have been different, but when Federer struck on his sixth break point it proved to be the beginning of the end for the fourth seed, who took several tumbles.
Federer hammered another nail in the coffin with a backhand winner to break midway through the fourth set and despite chants of “Murray, Murray,” echoing around the court, kept his cool to close out the match on his second match point.
“It was crazy how it all happened under the circumstances,” said Federer, of the first Wimbledon singles final to be partly played under the roof. “I’m happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today.”
The roof stayed closed as Americans Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond won the mixed doubles title with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Indian-Russian duo Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care