The two best tennis players in the world put in a longer shift this weekend than most anyone at Wimbledon, racking five hours’ playing time over eight hours. Skipping between the raindrops and peering through the nigh-darkness (as the match ended after 9 pm local time) could not stop these two behemoths from a mythical battle that ended with Rafael Nadal cradling the silver Championship cup like a treasured teddy bear.

The final score rattles on like the match: 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. Nadal had Roger Federer pinned numerous times, down two sets to none and down repeatedly in set tiebreaks. However, Federer served up furious blows and Nadal contorted himself to return every crushing chin shot with one of his own.
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