Federer vs Nadal: Top 5 Grand Slam matches between the LEGENDS

1. 2008 Wimbledon final

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Nadal def. Federer: 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7

Match Stats:

Time Duration: 4 hrs 48 minutes

Points Won: 209-204 (Nadal)

Aces: 20-5 (Federer)

Winners: 98-65 (Federer)

Unforced errors: 41-65 (Nadal)

Background:

Federer had already won 5 Wimbledon titles in a row, and Nadal was the runner-up in the previous two. Though Federer had won the last two finals on this ground, everyone could sense that the Spaniard was getting closer to ending Federer's dominance on the grass of the All England Club.

It had just been a few weeks since Nadal had thrashed Federer in a one-sided final at Roland Garros. And legends like Bjorn Borg predicted Nadal to be that year's Wimbledon Champion.

Both the top 2 seeds reached the final fairly easily - Roger without dropping a set and Nadal losing just one.

The Match:

Federer served first to start the proceedings but got broken in his second service game. Nadal held all of his service games to clinch the first set 6-4.

The second set started exactly opposite to the first, with Roger breaking immediately after holding his own serve. After three more games the Swiss Maestro was up 4-1 in the set, but Nadal fought back as always - winning 5 straight games to win the set 6-4.

The third set went the distance, with both of the players holding their serves and saving a few break points in the process. Federer dominated the tiebreak and clinched it with an ace in the end.

The fourth set saw the players hold serve without facing a single break point in the process. The tiebreak started with Roger gaining an early mini-break, but he soon gave it back. Nadal was up 5-2 on his serve, but the pressure of a big point started to build and Nadal double-faulted.

The Swiss went on to win the next four points to get a set point at 6-5. This was Federer's turn to panic, as he mistimed a forehand and the score was level.

The game of gaining and losing of match points and set points went on until finally, Roger converted one of the set points to level the match.

The final set was no exception to the rest of the match - numerous service games held and break points erased from both ends. Finally in the 15th game, Nadal broke Roger's serve and seemingly his spirit too.

But the five time champion was yet to give up. He saved another championship point in the final game of the tournament, but this was Nadal's moment to shine and he did so by holding his serve and then he falling to the ground in joy.