Federer wins 8th Wimbledon title
Originally published on 16/07/17 00:00
The Swiss maestro defeated Marin Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 to win an unprecedented 8th Wimbledon title
Federer is the third man in the Open era to win multiple Grand Slams without conceding a single set and he is the oldest victor at the All England Club in the modern era.
It was another swashbuckling display from the tip-toed Swiss and he secured a 19th major triumph with unerring ease. His Croatian opponent was hampered by a blister on his left foot and he failed to trouble the ‘King of Centre Court’.
“Better than winning the trophy today, is just being healthy,” said the 35-year-old. “It feels great and it means the world to me, I worked so hard last year. To be back here, feeling great and holding the trophy after not dropping a set, is magical. I can’t believe it.
“It’s disbelief that I can achieve such heights,” remarked Federer when asked about his record-breaking achievement in SW19. "I was not sure if I was ever going to be here again in another final after last year and I’ve had some tough ones here losing to Novak in 2014 and 2015, but I always believed I could maybe come back and do it again.”
An emotional Cilic, said: ‘Since the start of my career, I never give up when I start a match. I gave my best and that’s all I could do. I’ve had an amazing journey here and played the best tennis of my life."
A heavyweight contest between two attack-minded players was anticipated and the early stages were intriguing. Cilic was primarily the aggressor and Federer looked nervous as he attempted to deal with his opponent’s considerable firepower.
The Croatian carved open the first break-point opportunity in the fourth game but he netted a return and the match quickly spiralled out of his control. Federer made his move in the following game and he took advantage of his rival’s lowly first-serve percentage and wayward groundstrokes.
Federer had the momentum and he is perhaps the greatest front-runner the sport has ever seen. He bagged the first set by six games to three and he was firmly in the ascendancy.
Cilic’s woes continued in the second set and he lost the first three games. The 28-year-old was in tears at the sit-down and it became clear that he was struggling with an injury.
The crowd tried to lift the former US Open champion however his ruthless opponent showed no mercy. Federer was an unstoppable force and he soon pocketed his 20th consecutive set at the All England Club.
Cilic had a medical timeout after the completion of the second set but it did little to help his cause. The Croatian was more energised in the third set however the Swiss made his move in the eighth game and his first Wimbledon triumph in five years was just moment away.
The Swiss will now turn his attention to the US Open, and he will be the man to beat in the city that never sleeps.
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