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Federer wins Wimbledon men's title
Published on Sun, Jul 09, 2006 at 21:33, Updated on Sun, Jul 09, 2006 at 22:27 in 
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London: Roger Federer wrapped up his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title on Sunday, finally subduing Spain's Rafael Nadal 6-0 7-6 6-7 6-3.
It looked as though the world No 1 would run away with an eighth grand slam title after rampaging through the first set in 24 minutes before double French Open champion Nadal recovered to make the Swiss maestro sweat on a breezy Center Court.
Federer dropped a set for the first time at this year's tournament as the 20-year-old Nadal refused to surrender, but in the end he had enough grasscourt craft to become only the third man to win four straight titles here in the professional era.
"It's fantastic, I never thought it was possible but I made it," Federer, clad in his cream blazer, said in his acceptance speech after an enthralling two hour 50 minute contest.
"It was awfully tight and I was getting awfully nervous in the end."
Federer had been on the receiving end against Nadal four times already this year, and he came out mean, moody and looking for revenge after his French Open final defeat last month.
His opening set demolition was the first 6-0 first set in a Wimbledon men's final since Boris Becker achieved the feat against Stefan Edberg in 1989.
Nadal had won 80 consecutive service games at Wimbledon en route to the final, but that sequence ended when Federer crunched a forehand to break serve at the first time of asking.
For once Nadal, the first Spanish finalist for 40 years, looked overawed as he struggled for rhythm and Federer broke again to lead 4-0.
Nadal saved a set point with a brilliant lob volley at 0-5 and another with his first ace, but Federer made sure at the third attempt with an exquisite backhand pass.
Youngest finalist
Thoughts of a Center Court humiliation for Nadal, the youngest men's finalist since Becker in 1986, soon disappeared though as he finally exploded into life.
A pummeled backhand winner gave him a break point at the start of the second set and Federer then miss-hit a forehand wide, prompting a trademark bicep-bulging fist pump and roar of "Vamos" from Nadal.
Federer responded by carving out a break point in the fourth game, only to send a backhand over the baseline. Nadal consolidated his two-game lead with an ace.
Nadal, who lost the first set of the French Open final 6-1, began to dominate the rallies from the baseline and it was Federer's turn to look anxious as Nadal moved 5-3 ahead.
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