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Roger Federer has become the only men’s singles player to win the Wimbledon Championships for a record eighth time as the Swiss player saw off Marin Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 in the final. The Croat seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and struggled with an injury but overall Federer was in serene form and mercilessly swept his opponent aside to claim victory.
Both players made a steady start to the contest but after Cilic failed to capitalise on the first break point of the match, Federer took advantage in the following game to go 3-2 up. The Swiss player was more assured of the two as he consolidated his advantage before eventually breaking Cilic once more to clinch the opener.
The Croat though was unable to stabilise himself in the second set and seemed overwhelmed as Federer ruthlessly raced into a 5-1 lead. At one point Cilic was left visibly emotional during a changeover but his opponent showed no mercy and swiftly wrapped up a two set lead, as the Croat received a medical time-out for his foot.
In the third set, Cilic managed to find some form and at times dug deep to hold serve, but the unrelenting pressure from his opponent was too much as Federer seized the crucial break en route to moving 5-3 ahead. Despite his opponent carrying an injury, the Swiss player had been too strong throughout and he held his nerve, closing out the match emphatically with an ace.
With his incredible march to the Wimbledon title without even dropping a set, Federer has gained his 19th major crown and can add his SW19 triumph to a stellar 2017 season in which he has captured titles at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and in Halle.
In the women’s final, Garbine Muguruza claimed her second grand slam title as she defeated Johanna Konta’s conqueror Venus Williams 7-5 6-0. The Spaniard was forced to save set points at 5-4 down in the opener but took control from that point, dominating the remainder of the final to seal her first Wimbledon trophy.
