Rafael Nadal swatted the challenge of Tomas Berdych to claim his second Wimbledon singles title on Centre Court and rip away Roger Federer's standing as the world's dominant force.
Rafael Nadal swatted the challenge of Tomas Berdych to claim his second Wimbledon singles title on Centre Court and rip away Roger Federer's standing as the world's dominant force.
In doing so he became the first man to do the difficult French Open and Wimbledon double on more than one occasion since Bjorn Borg.
Swedish great Borg watched in admiration from the Royal Box, 30 years on from his fifth and last Wimbledon triumph, as the irresistible Nadal took just over two hours to add to his 2008 title.
A 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory emphatically underlined Nadal's position as the number one player in the world and suggested he has every chance of emulating the Swede's achievement in claiming those coveted twin titles in consecutive years.
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"It didn't happen since Borg but now it has happened for the last three years (as Federer achieved the feat last year).
"I know how important the grass-court season is and that is why after winning at Roland Garros I go straight to practise at Queen's. Having the experience can help a lot."
Nadal looked for all the world like he had grown up playing on the grass rather than the heavy red clay of Majorca as he steamrollered an opponent who had so impressively dispatched top seed Federer in the quarter-finals.
That win had denied the Centre Court crowd a possible repeat of Nadal's all-time classic 2008 final against Federer, but instead they were left to marvel at the sheer power and precision of a player who is gradually making this tournament his own.
Berdych admitted: "The biggest difference between us was when he got the chance he took it.
" He gave me chances in the second and third sets and I couldn't make the break. It just shows how strong he is.
"I'm climbing higher and higher but I can still go a little bit more. I just need more tournaments and more matches. I need to grow up a little, get a bit more experienced and be more patient on court."
Now seemingly injury-free after fighting through much of last season hampered by a knee complaint, there is no reason to suggest the Spaniard will not be back to chase down Borg's five titles and even perhaps the six earned by Federer.
"I don't expect anything," shrugged Nadal.
"I expect to play my best on every point and fight for every point like it is the last one. I don't think about if the match is going to be difficult. I just go on court and fight point by point."
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