Federer beats Nadal to reach Wimbledon final against Djokovic – as it happened

Right, that’s it from me for today. Thanks for reading/emailing/tweeting. Federer v Nadal 2019 was never going to trump the classic of 2008 but it was still some sequel, especially that gripping finale in which Nadal saved four match points. Do join me again tomorrow when another 37-year-old great will be looking to write her own piece of history. Bye!

Kevin Mitchell’s match report:

So Federer’s prize – or perhaps punishment – for victory is a final with Novak Djokovic. It will be the first time they’ve met in a grand slam final since the 2015 US Open and their first meeting here since the final also four years ago, which Djokovic won in four sets. Djokovic, as the defending champion and world No 1, will be the favourite, no doubt, on Sunday but if Federer can reproduce the form he showed against Nadal, then he’ll have a superb chance.

Federer is interviewed. And he’s actually sweating!

I’m exhausted. It was tough at the end. Rafa played some unbelievable shots to stay in the match. I enjoyed it. The crowd were amazing. I had spells where I was serving very well and probably the biggest points in the match went my way. That first set was huge as well, to get the lead.

Novak played great against Bautista Agut. He’s supreme again. He’s not No 1 just by chance. He’s been so good for the last year. I’m very excited to say the least.

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Nadal decides to take off his shoe at the changeover and fiddle with a blister. No sign of the trainer though. It would take some nerve to call them on at this stage of the match. So Federer steps up to serve for a place in the final. Will he come to regret those two missed match points? It doesn’t look like it at 30-15, but a Federer error follows and it’s 30-all. He uses up his final Hawk-Eye challenge with an unsuccessful appeal. Federer makes an absolute hash of the smash! 30-40, break point. An enthralling rally ensues ... but Nadal bludgeons a backhand into the net!

Deuce. Advantage Federer, a third match point, as Federer holds firm at the net. Time stands still as the pair play out a gripping point, and Nadal eventually pummels away a forehand winner! Mirka has her head in her hands. But she’s celebrating when Federer soon brings up another match point. Again Nadal pulls off the winner! Here’s a fifth match point, and this time Federer takes it when Nadal biffs a backhand long! The 40^th instalment of their rivalry comes to an end with a warm embrace at the net. Federer is into his 12^th Wimbledon final and one win away from a record-extending ninth title at the ripe old age of 37! The King of Wimbledon holds court in front of his adoring subjects while Nadal, ever the gentleman, still signs a few autographs despite his second consecutive semi-final defeat here.

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Fourth set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 4-5 Federer* (*denotes next server)

I haven’t seen this level of intensity from Federer in quite some time. He can get edgier than he did earlier in his career, but there’s absolutely no indication that’s going to happen here. Nadal seems comfortable at 40-15. Federer fights back to deuce. And he’s two points from victory! Some Hawk-Eye drama as Federer stops the point to challenge. He’s wrong. If he hadn’t challenged it would be match point! Instead it’s Nadal’s advantage. But Federer puts that Hawk-Eye moment out of his mind to get back to deuce. And here’s a match point! Federer’s return is well long. Deuce. Ace, advantage Nadal. A fourth deuce. Advantage Federer, a second match point. Deuce. Advantage Nadal, after a quite wonderful rally. Game Nadal. There were two match points in the fourth set of their 2008 final before it went the distance. Could history be repeating itself?

Fourth set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 3-5 Federer (*denotes next server)

“I think that 2008 final was indeed the greatest match of all time,” emails Mark Pulfer, “but I really liked the 1992 final between Ivanisevic and Agassi; that was a five setter that swung back and forth and was only decided by a hairline margin at the end of the fifth. It was Agassi’s first major against a gut wrenching performance by Ivanisevic. I felt so bad for Ivanisevic that day (although I was supporting Agassi) and was glad to see him win Wimbledon years later.” Federer is showing no sign of blinking near the finish line, and another fuss-free hold has Nadal needing to hold serve to stay in this semi-final.

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Fourth set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 3-4 Federer* (*denotes next server)

“Safin v Federer, Aus Open, SF 2005 without a doubt,” declares David Hindle. Federer defies physics with a ridiculous angled cross-court winner on the run, which causes thousands of jaws to fall on to the floor on Centre Court. 30-all. But it doesn’t cause Nadal’s shoulders to drop. He takes the next two points for the game.

Fourth set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 2-4 Federer (*denotes next server)

A punishing rally on the third point, in fact the most punishing of the day at 26 shots, and this time it’s Nadal who takes it. 15-30. But Nadal is furious with himself when he can’t take advantage of an inviting second serve. 30-all. 40-30. Game Federer, who swats the balls straight back to Nadal for the Spaniard to serve.

Fourth set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 2-3 Federer* (*denotes next server)

I must admit I didn’t think Federer would be able to dominate Nadal like this, especially given the way Nadal surged to the semi-finals. Usually it’s Nadal who has his opponents on a piece of string, lassoing those viciously spun forehands and catching them in his noose. But Nadal is the one struggling to breathe here and, despite a hold to 15, has so much to do to turn this around.

Fourth set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 1-3 Federer (*denotes next server)

“I think Halep v Kerber Australia semi in 2018 deserves a shout here as one of the best tennis matches,” emails Gordon Hunt. “In terms of finals, the Wozniaki v Halep match two days later is up there. Nadal v Djokovic Australia 2012, also. Obviously. I’m not an Aussie, which I feel I should note after tipping three from that event! But Fed v Nadal 07, 08 were total gems.” Federer is showing no signs of letting up here and holds to love.

Fourth set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 1-2 Federer* (*denotes next server)

Federer is on the charge at 0-30 but is checked by a net cord. 15-30. Nadal apologises. But given the severity of the situation, I doubt he’s too sorry. A rocket of an inside-out forehand from Federer and here are two break points. His level of aggression today has been staggering. He’s gliding around Centre Court like a 27-year-old rather than a 37-year-old. But Nadal then crunches a winner of his own. 30-40. Nadal appeals to Hawk-Eye when his serve is called out by the umpire on an overrule. The umpire was right. Nadal gets his second serve in, but Federer blows him away with his return, and Nadal overhits his backhand!

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Fourth set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 1-1 Federer (*denotes next server)

Another superb volley to add to the Federer showreel on the fourth point. You wouldn’t know he’s 37 looking at his lightning reflexes today. Federer also holds to 30.

Fourth set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 Federer* (*denotes next server)

This match has a completely different complexion to that 2008 final, in which Federer was always chasing, having been two sets to love down. And he’s such a formidable frontrunner. Federer gives Nadal a does of his own medicine at the start of this fourth set as he makes the Spaniard wait to serve. Federer is the king here, after all. He can do what he likes. It doesn’t put off Nadal, who holds to 30.

So Federer is serving for the set. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, when Nadal races forward and Federer picks him off with the pass. Three set points. And Nadal nets on the first! Federer serves out nervelessly to love and the eight-times champion is a set away from yet another Wimbledon final!

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Third set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 3-5 Federer* (*denotes next server)

Federer looks as if he quite fancies breaking Nadal here, perhaps so he can serve first at the start of the fourth. 0-30. Nadal steadies himself for 15-30, before storming back to 30-all with an ace out wide. The camera pans to Uncle Toni, who’s no longer Nadal’s full-time coach but is watching today from the players’ box. Nadal holds from there, to at least ask the question of Federer.

Third set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 2-5 Federer (*denotes next server)

Some more reminiscing, this time courtesy of Kenneth Ross. “1) Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe 2) Federer v Nadal 3) Goran Ivanisevic v Pat Rafter 4) Venus Williams v Lindsay Davenport. There’s a reason why the All England Club recently did a theatrical recreation of the 1980 Borg, McEnroe final before this year’s tournament. It was classic to watch then and remains a classic nearly four decades later. Best tennis match I’ve ever seen on television. (Best live one I’ve ever seen - 1984 US Open women’s final, Evert v Navratilova, along with Lendl v Cash and McEnroe v Connors the same Super Saturday.)” Federer holds to 15, and could be only a game away from taking a two sets to one lead that would leave this humble game-by-game reporter eating my words, given I predicted a Nadal win in four.

Third set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 2-4 Federer* (*denotes next server)

“Nadal v Federer 2007 is the second best final,” says Steve Holt. Meanwhile this from Antony Powell: “Ashe v Connors without a doubt! Never forget the lone voice from the crowd, “Come on, Jimmy!” Connors: “I’m trying, dammit!”” And look here, Federer has 0-30 on Nadal’s serve. Could this third set be as one-sided as the second? These are wild swings in momentum. 0-30 becomes 15-40. Nadal neutralises Federer on the first break point with an unreturned serve out wide. Another strong first serve sets up the second break point too. Deuce. Advantage Nadal. Game Nadal, but he’s living extremely dangerously.

Third set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 1-4 Federer (*denotes next server)

But Federer just can’t shake Nadal off. Every time he thinks he’s put some daylight between them, Nadal comes back at him, much like Nadal did after the first set. 15-30 turns into 15-40 when Federer double faults for the first time. Federer fends off the first break point. The pair trade blow after blow on the second, and Nadal knocks himself out when he goes long! That was the longest rally of the match at 23 shots. Deuce. Advantage Nadal. Deuce. Advantage Federer. Game Federer. That’s a huge hold.

Third set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 1-3 Federer* (*denotes next server)

With this third set yet to really get going, a question for you: apart from Nadal v Federer in 2008, what’s your favourite Wimbledon final? Goran Ivanisevic v Pat Rafter? Venus Williams v Lindsay Davenport? Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe and that 18-16 tie-break? Any others? But just as my thoughts drift away from today’s action, Federer drills a backhand down the line for 30-all and then flicks away a forehand cross-court winner for 30-40, break point. Can Federer break Nadal for the first time in this match? A wonderful game of cat and mouse plays out at the net, Nadal appears to be in the ascendancy, but Federer emerges victorious with a backhand volley on the line!

Third set: *Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 1-2 Federer (*denotes next server)

James Keothavong, the umpire and brother of Britain’s Fed Cup captain, Anne, is almost taken out by an errant ball, but that’s about as much drama as there is in this game. Federer whizzes through to love again.

Third set: Nadal 6-7, 6-1, 1-1 Federer* (*denotes next server)

So can Federer regroup at the start of this third set? A love hold suggests he can. “I wonder who would Novak want to play against,” muses Abhinav Bhadula. “For obvious reasons, Federer seems like lesser of the two evils... older, strength waning out.... But playing a Wimbledon final against Fedrer would be like playing against the complete stadium and almost whole of the world. How do you play when everyone in the stadium wants you to lose?” Nadal responds with a speedy hold of his own.

Federer is a shadow of the player he was in the first-set tie-break and is again broken when a framed forehand flies into the stands. With Nadal serving for the second set, desperate times call for desperate measures, as Federer launches a SABR – sudden attack by Roger – charging in off his return. It doesn’t pay off. Nadal has three set points at 40-0 and needs only one. After an absorbing first set, an all-too-quick second. We’re all square.

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Second set: Nadal 6-7, 4-1 Federer* (*denotes next server)

Having missed the chance to break in that previous game, Federer finds himself having to fight off three break points on his own serve at 0-40. As the shadows start to drift across Centre Court, Federer flaps into the net. His level has suddenly dipped and he may live to regret not being able to make the most of those break points at 1-1. Nadal consolidates the break with the minimum of fuss and the momentum of this match has quickly changed, just as it ebbed and flowed in that 2008 final.

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Second set: Nadal 6-7, 2-1 Federer* (*denotes next server)

The 37-year-old Federer has a little break before commencing the next game. Usually it’s Nadal keeping his opponent waiting with this tics and tricks. Speaking of which, have you noticed his eccentricities are so exact that he touches his shorts twice, shirt twice, nose twice and hair twice before every first serve? It’s quite draining to watch when you focus on it. I wonder what would happen if he cut loose once in a while. Perhaps Centre Court would spin off its axis. But then perhaps it already has, because Federer has two break points at 15-40. Both come and go. Federer will feel he should have done better on the second, when he nets a second-serve return. And Nadal doesn’t give him another chance. Two points later it’s game.