Cabeza del Demonio
Professional
Coming in at lucky #13 is one of tennis's most iconic, rousing comeback wins in the sport's history. It was a battle of David and Goliath. Despite reaching the US Open final a year earlier, the tall but unassuming South African still seemed no match before the greatest player in modern history with Roger Federer looking to continue his vintage season and defend his Wimbledon crown. If the unusual setting of Court 1 troubled the great man, he showed no sign of it. The odds seemed overwhelmingly stacked in the Maestro's favor by the time he had earned himself a 2-set lead. A match point in the 3rd set put Federer within striking distance of the finish line - but then the underdog came roaring back from the shadows.
Anderson held his nerve, staving off defeat by the narrowest of margins to break Federer and close out the 3rd set 7-5. The momentum now swung towards him as he remained unbreakable on serve to force a 5th. Meanwhile Nadal and Del Potro took to Centre Court to begin their battle, but the eyes of the tennis world remained on this unfolding classic. The sheer length of the match with some of its grueling rallies began to take their toll on the aging World No.2, and his movement began to slow ever so subtly. Sensing the urgency, Federer began to up the intensity again, creating break point chances at 4-3 for a chance to crush Anderson's inspired fightback for good. But the South African would not yield. He raised his own intensity to dig himself out of trouble and continued to match the 8-time Wimbledon champion step for step.
Sunset approached on Court 1 as Federer and Anderson battled past 6-6. A high-quality match was unfolding on Centre Court as well, but it paled into background noise in comparison to this unexpected epic. Federer seemingly had everything in his favor - the odds, the experience, the record, the 15,000 faithful gathered on Court 1 and the millions more watching around the world anxiously pulling for their hero. But his challenger had come armed with a big serve and an indestructible will to win - just enough to bring about a miracle. It would be Anderson who clinched the break at 11-11, and blasted down one last unreturned serve to seal the victory of his career, 2-6 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4 13-11.
For Federer, it would be his 3rd loss at a Grand Slam from 2 sets up, and his earliest Wimbledon defeat since 2013. Anderson would build on his victory with another marathon win over John Isner, finishing with his 2nd runner-up trophy at the Slam level.
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Enjoy!
Anderson held his nerve, staving off defeat by the narrowest of margins to break Federer and close out the 3rd set 7-5. The momentum now swung towards him as he remained unbreakable on serve to force a 5th. Meanwhile Nadal and Del Potro took to Centre Court to begin their battle, but the eyes of the tennis world remained on this unfolding classic. The sheer length of the match with some of its grueling rallies began to take their toll on the aging World No.2, and his movement began to slow ever so subtly. Sensing the urgency, Federer began to up the intensity again, creating break point chances at 4-3 for a chance to crush Anderson's inspired fightback for good. But the South African would not yield. He raised his own intensity to dig himself out of trouble and continued to match the 8-time Wimbledon champion step for step.
Sunset approached on Court 1 as Federer and Anderson battled past 6-6. A high-quality match was unfolding on Centre Court as well, but it paled into background noise in comparison to this unexpected epic. Federer seemingly had everything in his favor - the odds, the experience, the record, the 15,000 faithful gathered on Court 1 and the millions more watching around the world anxiously pulling for their hero. But his challenger had come armed with a big serve and an indestructible will to win - just enough to bring about a miracle. It would be Anderson who clinched the break at 11-11, and blasted down one last unreturned serve to seal the victory of his career, 2-6 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4 13-11.
For Federer, it would be his 3rd loss at a Grand Slam from 2 sets up, and his earliest Wimbledon defeat since 2013. Anderson would build on his victory with another marathon win over John Isner, finishing with his 2nd runner-up trophy at the Slam level.
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Enjoy!
