Federer forges ahead in Wimbledon final

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) Defending champion Roger Federer won a first set tiebreak to draw first blood in the Wimbledon men's singles final against Rafael Nadal today.

Federer started on a gloriously sunny day 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 Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back, immediately came under fire from the smooth-swinging 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 high quality exchanges reached new intensity with Nadal serving at 4-5 down. A sublime rally at 30-30 ended with a whipped forehand winner from Nadal and the trademark fist pump.

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 decison 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 backhand volley at 8-7.

REUTERS BJR PM2035