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Live Wimbledon Blog: Federer v Nadal by Sean Calvert

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Live scoring and betting updates from the hotly anticipated men's final with Sean Calvert

A wonderful final then that more than lived up to the expectations and the hype and it must be said that Nadal deserved it on the balance of play.

Fed couldn't break him and what now for the former champ - mastered on his favourite surface after being humbled on Nadal's favoured clay court at the French Open.

If he learns how to play on hard courts it could well be Nadal breaking Sampras' record, not Federer.

Anyway, that's it from the blog for this year. I'm off for a well deserved Beef Cannelloni! Hope you enjoyed our coverage from SW19. See you next time..

21.17: He does and at the fourth time of asking, Rafa Nadal sees his opponent net a forehand and we have a new Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion.

Nadal collapses to the floor and does a 'Pat Cash' by legging it into the crowd to be with his family and friends.

Congratulations to Nadal and in a very un-Wimbledon-like moment he walks over the roof of the commentary boxes to get to the Royal Box.

He's enjoying this one and why not?

21.10: Nadal out-rallies Federer again to earn himself another two break points in the 16th game of the set, but Fed refuses to buckle and sees both off.

Nadal threatens again to earn yet another two and finally breaks when Fed hits a forehand long!!

Can he serve it out for victory?? He's [1.2] to do so.

21.05: A brilliant rally to end the 15th game of this final set saw Federer make the most remarkable return of a smash, but Nadal held firm to take it.

21.00: Federer misses a sitter of a volley at 6-6 40-30, to put himself under pressure at deuce, but it doesn't cost him in the end as he holds to go ahead once more at 7-6 in the fifth.

Fed is [1.54] to Nadal's [2.54] and we could be coming back tomorrow at this rate!

20.50: Nadal sees two break point chances go begging, as Federer responds by playing his best tennis when threatened.

The crowd, who are now back to cheering for who they actually want to win, are loving it.

It's 6-5 Federer with Nadal to serve to stay in it.

20.36: A stunning forehand down the line gives Roger Federer a break point on the Nadal serve, but Nadal sees it off with one of the hardest hit smashes I've seen in some time. I think the ball ended up behind the Royal Box. Let's hope it didn't hit Michael Winner in the chops!

The muscular Spaniard averted the danger and it's 4-4.

20.30: Fed averts the possibility of a crisis with some ease, before Nadal comes through his first service game after the break to 15. It's 3-3.

Federer hasn't really looked like breaking the Nadal serve all day and he's going to have to if he wants to retain his crown for another year.

We're just coming up to the four hour mark here and we're up to the £42 million mark now.

20.20: Perfect timing! Russell Square Tesco's and back in less than ten minutes including the queuing and the players are out on court again for the climax of this thrilling final.

It's a tricky resumption for Fed - serving at 2-2 and deuce.

The prices now are [1.81] Fed and [2.22] Nadal.

19.55: Just as I thought.. it's started raining again and I'm off to Tesco's for some much needed sustenance!

19.50: I don't want to worry anyone but it's getting very dark here in London again. I can barely see the emptying peanut packet in front of my face.

Nadal holds for 2-2, as the money traded goes over the £40 million mark!

19.47: A very rare occurrence.. no not the sign of any food in my fridge, but a Federer double fault at an important time means he was extended to deuce in his second service game of the set.

He redeemed himself though and goes 2-1 ahead.

19.40: They both hold at the start of the fifth set and there's now been an astonishing £38.7 million traded on this event!!

It's [1.78] the champ and [2.3] the challenger, which is pretty much the same as when we started.

19.36: It's Fed to serve first in the deciding set and he's gone favourite again at [1.76] to do the unthinkable and come from two sets down in a Wimbledon Final.

Nadal is out to [2.25] from [1.08] at match point.

19.32: Forget that Borg v McEnroe nonsense, the Beeb have a new piece of VT to use for the next god knows how many years during rain intervals.

Too much to say in a short space of time, but the gist is that Nadal put one long and gave Fed the breaker and my bet has come in again - just.

The two backhands down the line were unreal and this has more than lived up to expectations.

What next??

19.30: Fed staves off a match point, but Nadal sets up another with a simply unbelievable backhand pass down the line which will no doubt be repeated for years to come.

Not to be outdone, Federer comes out with one of his own over the high part of the net from behind the baseline and this is incredible stuff.

19.26: This is tense now. Fed went for a forehand after a long rally at 6-5, but put it into the tramlines and we're at 6-6 on the changeover.

Nadal was as low as [1.08] when 5-2 up.

19.25: The Spaniard went 5-2 up with two serves to come, but lost them both and Federer closed to 5-5 before going 6-5 ahead and within a point of taking us to a fifth.

19.20: Nadal took the next four points in a row though and is 4-2 up at the change.

19.15: He holds again.. just and we have another breaker!

A great first point of the breaker is won by Federer against the serve.

19.13: Don't panic.. I've managed to delay my impending starvation by finding half a packet of dry roasted peanuts on top of the microwave, so hopefully that will suffice for the foreseeable future.

Back to the small matter of the tennis and Nadal is 6-5 up. Here we go again Roger.

19.10: Federer went out to [5.8] for the title there as he went 0-30 down, but he clawed his way back into the game and took the next four points to stave off the threat of Nadal temporarily.

It's now [1.46] Nadal and [3.05] the Fed-ex.

19.05: A blistering backhand pass from Nadal sets up his next service game and Fed must now serve to stay in the tournament again at 4-5.

The Swiss has looked a little shaky on his last two serves, so could we be about to witness a bit of history?

19.00: I've just realised I've got nothing in the fridge barring some butter, tomatoes, cat food, an aubergine and some carrots.

Any recipe ideas (that can be made whilst watching tennis and typing) would be greatly appreciated at sw19betfairblogger@hotmail.co.uk

Nadal is 4-3 up in the fourth.

18.55: It's getting a bit like a Henman match on Centre at the moment with the crowd clearly in the Federer camp and raising the decibel level each time Fed wins a point.

I feel a bit sorry for Rafa, who is playing some great stuff for very little applause.

Nadal extended Fed to deuce in that service game, but the number one seed holds to go 3-3 and he is [2.72]

18.45: Federer is starting to play somewhere near his best again and a few sublime efforts in the last Nadal service game brought the crowd to life, but he still couldn't break the Nadal service.

The Swiss eases through another service game and levels at 2-2 in the fourth.

The renewed vigour from Fed has seen him close to [2.54] to the Mallorcan's [1.62].

18.35: Winning that set has brought Federer back in to [2.68] in the betting, with Nadal out to [1.62] as it stands.

The crowd are audibly letting out groans whenever Nadal wins a point now. I guess they've paid enough for the privilege and they want their five sets. So do I as it happens for the sake of my wager!

18.31: Nadal holds his two service points and Federer's first two set points go a begging, but an ace hands Fed the set at 7-5 in the breaker, much to the joy of the crowd who want to get their money's worth this evening!

18.28: Another forehand winner means Fed goes 5-2 up, but Nadal claws one back for 5-3.

18.27: Hawkeye comes to Federer's aid again as he holds his serves comfortably, then he gains the momentum with a forehand service return to go 4-2 up at the changeover.

18.25: Federer holds with the aid of hawkeye and a further hold by Nadal means we're into a breaker to decide the third set.

Fed must win to stay in the tournament. Can he do it?

18.20: Nadal cruises into a 40-0 lead in the first game back, but some loose play allows Fed back in it at deuce.

Nadal finds an amazing angle with that forehand though and he closes out the game to level at 5-5 in the third.

It's [2.22] now for a straight sets Nadal win.

18.05: They're back.. Fed resplendent in that cardigan that he may as well get some use out of before he becomes a former champ and Nadal arranging his water bottles in customary style.

Can Federer come back or are we looking at a new champion in Rafa Nadal?

The sun's shining and the stage is set for a thrilling climax to the tournament.

17.45: Still no play and the covers are still on. Showers are forecast for the immediate future, so it looks like another 20 minute delay.

17.18: The covers are still on, so there won't be any more play for the next 15 minutes or so by the looks of things.

Meanwhile, £24.6 million has been traded on this match so far and Nadal is currently [1.38] for the title, with Federer at [3.6] for a sixth successive success.

17.00: The BBC weatherman reckons play will return fairly soon, but the odds on the match being completed today have extended to [1.3].

Anybody know the identity of the chap who came back from two sets down to win the title in 1927? No? well, it was one Henri Cochet of France who beat compatriot Jean Borota 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

So, now you know.

16.52: Nadal was just two points away from serving for the match there, but Roger managed to squeeze through and take the lead once more at 5-4.

It's raining though and there will be a short delay here.

16.45: I thought that earlier price of [3.8] about a Federer comeback was a bit on the tight side.

You have to go back to 1927 for the last time anyone came from two sets down to win the mens singles title and yes I have just looked that up!

It seems highly unlikely at the moment, but Federer has just turned the tables a bit by saving three break points to nudge ahead again at 4-3.

It's still pretty dark out there, but they're still playing.

Incredibly it's [3.45] now for a 3-2 Federer victory!

16.40: Federer creates two break points at 2-2 and receives two second serves from Nadal that he is unable to get back into play.

Very disappointing effort from the five times champion, who failed to capitalise on any of his four break points in total.

Nadal is now [1.35] after getting through the game to take a 3-2 lead.

16.32: Perhaps the weather will save Federer. It's gone so dark here that I can barely see my keyboard and a rain break looks certain imminently.

16.30: A tale of two challenges in the Nadal service game.

Federer successfully challenges to set up two break points and then Nadal stops playing to challenge a call of 'in' on his own baseline.

had he lost the challenge he would have been broken, but he was spot on to the millimetre and as a result, holds and levels at 2-2. Can he do no wrong?

16.25: Nadal's gone over on his right knee and that caused a temporary moment of panic amongst Nadal backers!

He went out to [1.66] and had the trainer out to treat the knock, but he's back in to [1.43] now and serving at 1-2.

16.15: Some punters out there believe in the Fed. He's as low as [3.85] for a sensational comeback victory! Surely that's a bit on the low side for what would be some performance.

16.10: The umpire gives Nadal a time violation for taking an age over his serve and it seems to have sent Nadal a bit strange in the head as he goes for a Murray-style drop shot at 5-4 and deuce.

It gave Fed a break back point, but he couldn't take it and another iffy backhand gives Nadal the second set and he's in to [1.29] for the title.

Has Fed gone? Does he have it in him for a comeback? Email your views at sw19betfairblogger@hotmail.co.uk

16.00: Nadal's turned this set around in some style!

Federer has been broken to 15 and Nadal will now serve for the a two set lead at 5-4, after winning four games in a row.

Fed's starting to get irritated by this now and will see the unheralded sight of a strop??

15.55: I stand corrected on the star-spotting front. The Beeb have helpfully focused on Michael Winner in the crowd. Not sure if that's an improvement on Stefani or not?!

Nadal's just played a shot that I've never seen before from right on his own baseline. It was some sort of improvised hack and it almost came off.

15.52: Thought that [2.44] was a bit on the generous side. Nadal breaks back and he's gone favourite again at [1.87] now for the title.

It's 3-4 Nadal to serve.

15.50: Not much excitement in the field of celeb-spotting in the crowd today. One Gwen Stefani is surely a not a great return.

Where are the Tiger Woods's of this world? That's what I want to know.

The rain has held off so far and it's currently [1.08] that the match will be completed today. Any takers?

15.45: We're up to £14.7 million traded on this clash now as Federer's price comes in again to it's lowest mark so far of [1.67].

The Swiss has upped his game in this set admittedly, but there's more life in Nadal yet surely at [2.44].

It's Nadal serving at 1-4.

15.40: Fed is as low as [2.7] now for a three sets to one victory as he goes 3-0 up in the second set.

Surely that price is a touch low!

15.35: So, first blood to Mallorca's finest and will the loss of the first set play on Federer's mind after his thrashing in Paris?

It doesn't appear so, as he breezes his opening service game of the second set and earns a break point in the next.

Nadal takes a rare sojourn into the net and Fed passes him with a cross court forehand to take a 2-0 lead.

Fed is back at favouritism at [1.8].

15.25: Nadal takes the first set!

Great tennis from the pair of them when it mattered in that game.

Nadal with a near-100 mph forehand to give him set point and Fed was so close to breaking back on a couple of occasions, largely thanks to some accurate hitting on the forehand side, but his backhand went awry when it mattered most and the Spaniard is now [1.72] in a complete reversal of the opening prices.

15.10: Just as Henman comments upon Fed's lack of serve and volleying in the match so far, the Swiss maestro delivers a beautiful example of the play.

Timing is everything Tim!

Fed holds for 3-4 and Nadal is now [1.92] with Fed [2.08].

15.05: An easy hold to love from Federer precedes another lengthy service game from Nadal.

It seems that Federer's comments about the amount of time Nadal takes between serves haven't inspired the world number two to quicken up his serve at all.

Was Fed right to criticise Nadal's delaying tactics? sw19betfairblogger@hotmail.co.uk is the place for comments.

15.00: Nadal is serving entirely to Fed's backhand and he's having success with the tactic so far, but from 40-0 up in his service game, the Spaniard was forced to save a break point before eventually holding.

Will Nadal continue with the tactic or will Fed counteract it with a response of his own?

Fascinating stuff and it's [1.84] Nadal.

14.50: Nadal breaks! And to be honest he didn't have to do a great deal either.

A poor service game from Fed combined with a couple of dodgy backhands gives Nadal the game and the favourites have flip-flopped.

It's now [1.88] Nadal and [2.12] Federer.

14.45: For the record, I've gone for the match to go to five sets at [3.0] and my record has been 100 percent whilst writing the blog, so hopefully that will continue.

All sorts of stats are available for this one, the strongest of which would have to be Federer's attempt to become the first man to win six Wimbledon titles in a row for 122 years and Nadal's quest to become the first Spaniard to win here in 42 years.

The opening two games have been shared, but Federer has come in to [1.7] with over £7 million traded on the final so far.

14.35: The waiting is over and now that the rain has abated, we're ready to go with Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal for the third consecutive time in the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final.

Nadal has been on the drift over the last 24 hours and can be backed at [2.3] to become the first player since Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

Which way will this one go? Email your views to sw19betfairblogger@hotmail.co.uk