The final installment of the Nadal Federer final trilogy at Wimbledon was contested at the 2008 Wimbledon Championship. Federer had completed his 5 consecutive Championship run at Wimbledon the previous year in a tightly contested battle with Nadal. The scales shifted from 2006 to 2008. Federer dominated the game in 2006 & 2007, but Nadal was catching up. Federer's attempts to win Roland Garros seemed to slip further away as Nadal's dominance there flourished. Federer suffered a career worst beating by Nadal in the 2008 French final, winning only four games in 3 sets. The sense going into this Wimbledon final match was that Nadal had at least an even chance to win. The players display a high level of play from the beginning, hitting mighty winners from all over the court and covering the court during play in sublime fashion. Nadal was able to take advantage of his chances in the first; Federer failed to convert his chances. In the second set, Federer moved out to a quick lead which he could not hold and Nadal stormed back to go up 2 sets to love. At this point, it looked certain that Nadal would win. The question was, would Federer fade? He didn't. He hung in tenaciously. This match has moments of excruciating tension and a lot of them are in the 3rd & 4th sets. Nadal is at the precipice and in the 4th set tiebreaker, he freezes a bit. A few points later, he sets up match point by hitting one of the best shots I've ever seen. Then, Federer saves the match point with a no look backhand drive up the line that is also one of the best shots I've ever seen. Federer takes the 4th and then it seems the scales are in his favor. But, Nadal does not break or crumble. He solidifies his commitment to winning the match and outlasts Federer 9-7 in the fifth in the near dark at Wimbledon. 

Ironically, Federer gained his long sought and only Roland Garros title the following year after Nadal suffered an early round exit in Paris. But, Federer's days of dominance were over. The Wimbledon final loss was followed by a 5 set loss to Nadal in the 2009 Australian Open final. Federer did reclaim the Wimbledon title and year end number 1 in 2009. But, Nadal dominated 2010 and Djokovic emerged in 2011. Since the 2009 Australian, Federer and Nadal have only contested 2 Grand Slam finals, the 2011 French and the 2017 Australian.

Trophy presentation is included with the match. American commentary. This is the original NBC broadcast.

This match is on 3 DVD-r discs.

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