Federer holds nerve to win third set in final

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) Roger Federer moved within touching distance of a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title today when he won a third-set tiebreak against Rafael Nadal to lead 7-6 4-6 7-6.

Spaniard Nadal, who lost to Federer in the final last year, had struck back to level the showpiece and looked menacing throughout the third set before the world number one clinched the crucial breaker.

Federer is looking to match Bjorn Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles and the great Swede looked on with 14,000 other enthralled spectators as the battle between the world's two best players raged.

The top seed started with an ace that whistled down the middle of Centre Court, the cue for a riveting opener in the showpiece.

Nadal, bidding to become the first man since Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back, immediately came under fire from the Swiss, dropping his opening service game when he swatted a forehand into the net.

From 3-0 down, however, the Spaniard caught fire, rocking Federer with a series of fizzing topspin winners. Playing with real aggression he broke back with a searing backhand down the line and suddenly it was 3-3.

The quality of the rallies reached new intensity with Nadal serving at 4-5 down. The players traded exquisite shots at 30-30 before Nadal whipped a forehand past the net-rushing Federer.

There was drama in the tiebreak when Federer served on his third set point at 6-5. A Nadal backhand was called out but he challenged the decision and Hawkeye revealed it had clipped the line. Federer then netted a forehand.

Federer's fourth set point was squandered when he hit a backhand into the tape at 7-6 but he finally got his nose in front when he carved away a sublime backhand volley at 8-7.

SOLID START Nadal quickly shrugged off the disappointment with a solid start to the second set.

He looked the more dangerous player and had the champion in trouble at 15-40 after successfully challenging a first serve that was not called out in the sixth game. Federer showed nerves of ice to get out of trouble.

Federer found himself 15-40 down again at 4-5 and this time there was no escape when the 21-tear-old Nadal ripped a backhand past his despairing lunge.

The pattern continued in the third set. Federer tried to force the pace but Nadal frequently launched counter-attacks from improbable angles.

Both players looked comfortable on serve although Federer did have a scare at 2-3, 40-30 when Nadal hurled himself through the air to reach a volley and Federer sent a forehand pass to the very edge of the sideline. It was called out but the umpire overruled in his favour.

Federer carelessly let a 40-0 lead slip at 4-5 but showed true class with a high backhand overhead and then dug two volleys off his shoelaces to reach 5-5.

The atmosphere on Centre Court was crackling as the third set moved into a tiebreak and there were even a few signs of needle, Federer shaking his head when Nadal queried a call.

It was Federer who showed all the experience of a five-year winning sequence on grass, moving 6-2 ahead when Nadal ballooned a backhand over the baseline. Nadal saved one set point but Federer made no mistake on the next.

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