Again, It’s Nadal/Federer Final

05.07.2008

Rafael Nadal will meet world number one Roger Federer in tomorrow’s Wimbledon final after seeing off Rainer Schuettler 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.

A humiliation seemed on the cards when Nadal wrapped up the first set against the unseeded German in just 23 minutes. But Schuettler hit back impressively, breaking the formidable Spaniard's serve in game three of the second set.

Nadal stepped up a gear to break back at 5-3 before taking it on a tie-break and one break was enough in the third. The 32-year-old German went into his first semi-final at Wimbledon just a day after completing an epic five-hour win over Arnaud Clement.

It was hardly the best preparation for facing the world number two and not surprisingly he made a slow start, a huge mistake against Nadal.

Schuettler served first and was quickly 0-40 down and though he delivered an ace on the first break point, there was no stopping Nadal. The second seed held to love and in Schuettler's next service game showed exactly why he is currently the world's most feared player.

Schuettler rifled a fabulous forehand into the corner but Nadal scampered across and effortlessly whipped a backhand winner cross-court - leaving the German stunned.