Federer beats Nadal to set up Wimbledon final with Novak Djokovic

 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s match  on Friday was not just a contender for the greatest match of all time but it had its moments and it also had a different finish even though eleven years passed between the last “Fedal” meeting at Wimbledon – in the legendary 2008 title match.

Nadal won the 2008 final at Wimbledon, prevailing by 9-7 in the fifth set in something much closer to darkness than daylight.

 It took more than three tense, nerve-shredding hours of the highest quality tennis for both to wrap up the game with Federer  edging Nadal 7-6 1-6 6-3 6-4 . Federer will now face Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final after the Serb beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 earlier Friday.

The victory earned Federer, 37, a chance to renew another great rivalry: this one with Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1, in Sunday’s final.

 Djokovic, the defending champion, has won four Wimbledon singles titles. Federer has won eight, the men’s record. He is the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon final since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall lost to Jimmy Connors in 1974.

The Swiss  remains on course for a ninth Wimbledon title after beating Rafael Nadal in an enthralling encounter to reach his 12th final at the All England Club.