Wimbledon 2019: Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal result, Novak Djokovic through to final

Federer and Nadal served up a classic on Centre Court after Novak Djokovic secured his place in Sunday's showpiece

Wimbledon Championships in numbers

A vintage display from Roger Federer took him past Rafael Nadal into the Wimbledon 2019 final in an eagerly-anticipated first grass court match between the great rivals for 11 years on Friday.

The 40th career meeting between the golden duo with 38 Grand Slam titles between them, swung this way and that before Federer seized control to claim a 7-61-6 6-3 6-4 victory.

World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic now stands between the 37-year-old Federer, the oldest finalist here since Ken Rosewall in 1974, and a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon title in Sunday's showpiece

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Preview:

Wimbledon order of play

1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] 1 vs Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [23] 56

2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) [3] 96 vs Roger Federer (SUI) [2] 128

Last five Fedal meetings

2019 Nadal d Federer 6-3 6-4 6-2 (French Open, clay)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-4 6-3 (Shanghai, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-3 6-4 (Miami, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-2 6-3 (Indian Wells, hard)

2017 Federer d Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 (Australian Open, hard)

Key Points

• Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal in four sets to reach Wimbledon final
• Federer takes first set 7-3 in a tiebreak
• Nadal roars back with two breaks to win second 6-1
• Federer wins third set 6-3 to retake the lead
• Swiss breaks in the fourth to win 6-4 and reach 12th final
• Novak Djokovic beats Roberto Bautista Agut in first semi-final

[12 July 2019 19:30 · Kieran Jackson]

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 3-5 Federer (ad Federer)

Nadal nets a forehand down the line... 2ND MATCH POINT!

[12 July 2019 19:31 · Kieran Jackson]

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 3-5 Federer (40-40)

MATCH POINT SAVED! Another big Nadal serve, this time out wide... Federer's return way long. 

Deuce once more. 

[12 July 2019 19:32 · Kieran Jackson]

*Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 3-5 Federer (ad Nadal)

Majestic. Nadal goes for broke, and finishes it at the net with a drop volley to perfection.

Can he see out this mammoth game?!

[12 July 2019 19:33 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer*

He can! Nadal holds, with an ace out wide, and sprints to his chair...he's asked the question.

Two match points come and go for Federer - will that play on his mind, as he serves for the match?

On we go on Centre!

[12 July 2019 19:35 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (15-15)

Federer aces out wide... shown to clip the line on review. 

Nadal perseveres though, Federer mistimes a slice into the net. 15-15.

[12 July 2019 19:37 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (30-30)

Federer peppers Nadal's backhand, with the Spaniard eventually slicing wide.

However, Federer hits a forehand long... hawkeye shows it long. Fed out of challenges... will he need them?

30-30.

[12 July 2019 19:38 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (30-40)

OH MY GOD!

The point looks to be Federer's, but Nadal's defensive lob is 'smash-shanked' by Federer.

BREAK POINT!

[12 July 2019 19:38 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (40-40)

BREAK POINT SAVED!

It was close! Both players flirting with the lines, but Nadal nets a backhand. 

It is so, so loud in Centre Court right now!

[12 July 2019 19:39 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (ad Federer)

And with a backhand angled volley, Federer has his THIRD MATCH POINT!

[12 July 2019 19:40 · Kieran Jackson]

Nadal 6-7(3) 6-1 3-6 4-5 Federer* (40-40)

MATCH POINT SAVED! INCREDIBLE POINT!

Huge rally, Nadal gets lucky with a net cord, but eventually he smashes a forehand winner down the line. 

It's back to deuce, what next?!