How The 2017 Wimbledon Final Was Won

Roger Federer won a record eighth title at The Championships, Wimbledon on Sunday, when he claimed his 19th Grand Slam championship trophy – now four clear of second-placed Rafael Nadal (15) in the all-time major titles list.

The third-seeded Swiss superstar moved clear of seven-time Wimbledon titlists William Renshaw and Pete Sampras when he defeated seventh seed Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in the final, watched by a capacity Centre Court crowd of 15,000 spectators. Federer is 9-0 this year against players in the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

With Federer’s fifth crown of the year, the Swiss rises to No. 3 – his highest rankings position since August 2016. He also joins Rafael Nadal as the second singles qualifier for the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 12-19 November. Buy Tickets

ATPWorldTour.com breaks down how the 2017 Wimbledon final was won.

First Set
Federer won the coin toss and elected to receive, perhaps out to ambush and capitalise on the early nerves of Cilic. But it was the Croatian who was unable to convert the first break point opportunity at 2-1, with Federer serving at 30/40, when he struck a backhand return into the net. Federer began to slow the pace of each rally down mid-set and won 11 of 13 points for a 4-2 lead. Cilic continued to struggle with his first delivery and at 3-5 hit his second double fault to hand Federer the 37-minute opener.

Second Set
Federer, one of the sport’s great frontrunners, won five straight games from a 4-3 lead in the first set to a 3-0 advantage in the second set, when Cilic called for on-court treatment and appeared to be distressed. Three straight groundstroke errors from Cilic at 0-1, when leading 30/15 – including one forehand and two backhand errors – saw Federer seize total control of his 11th Wimbledon final. When Federer forced Cilic into the net for a volley error to gain a 5-1 lead, fellow multiple Wimbledon champions Rod Laver and Stefan Edberg – both watching from the Royal Box – nodded approvingly at how the Swiss had dismantled Cilic’s power-dominated game. Federer hit his third ace, in a love hold, for a two sets lead.

Third Set
Federer showcased his full repertoire in the third set, with his confidence shining through in several serve and volley points – 16 years on from the last all-serve and volley Wimbledon final between Cilic’s compatriot Goran Ivanisevic and Australia’s Patrick Rafter. Cilic, who had had his feet freshly strapped at the end of the second set, remained aggressive and continued to work hard, but he made little inroads in Federer’s service games. The pressure proved to be too much, with Federer breaking to 15 for a 4-3 lead when Cilic hit a forehand into the net. Barely 10 minutes later, Federer closed out in the style of a champion, with an ace, to complete only his second Grand Slam championship title run without dropping a set (2007 Australian Open). On his courtside chair, tears flowed.