Sun Jul 6 11:17:17 2008

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Nadal captures first two sets of Wimbledon final

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London, England (Sports Network) - Rafael Nadal has captured the first two sets of the men's final at Wimbledon, taking both by 6-4 scores against Roger Federer.

Rain delayed the start of play for about 30 minutes.

Nadal gained a quick break of serve in the third game when Federer managed to put only one first serve into play. Federer, though, nearly broke right back. After falling behind 0-40, he rallied for a break point and hit a forehand long. Nadal eventually held serve to validate the break.

Each player held serve the rest of the way, although Nadal had trouble closing it out.

Federer had a couple of break chances in the 10th game, but failed to convert. After a perfect volley set up the first, he missed a backhand volley long. A backhand into the net on a second serve cost him another chance before Nadal finally held to win the set.

A sensational passing shot in the second game of the second set finally gave Federer a break of serve on the way to a 4-1 lead, but Nadal reeled off the next five games.

The momentum change came in the seventh game when Federer hit a forehand wide to set up a break point for Nadal, who converted when Federer rushed to the net and couldn't handle a Nadal passing shot.

Federer then had a chance to break right back in the next game, but sent a return of serve into the net and Nadal held to square the set at 4-4. Nadal then won the first three points of the ninth game and soon after hit a forehand winner to break serve again for 5-4.

Nadal blew a set point in the 10th game and a wind-forced error set up a break point for Federer, who netted a backhand. Nadal then gained another set point and Federer drilled another backhand into the net to give the Spaniard the commanding advantage.

Federer is trying for his sixth straight Wimbledon crown, while Nadal is trying for his first. Federer beat Nadal in each of the last two Wimbledon title matches.