AAP Tennis
Nadal gracious after Wimbledon defeat
Rafael Nadal - AAP
Insisting their epic rivalry is far from over, a vanquished Rafael Nadal could only salute Roger Federer after falling to the Swiss's grasscourt mastery in a Wimbledon semi-final for the ages.
Federer denied Nadal 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in a showdown that lived up to all the hype in the legendary duo's first battle at the All England Club since their so-called greatest match of all time in 2008.
Amid incredible tension and pressure, Federer needed five match points to finally put Nadal away after a tick over three hours of breathtaking tennis but the Spaniard said, in truth, he always felt second best.
"I had my chances," Nadal said.
"He played little bit better than me, I think. Probably I didn't play as good as I did in the previous rounds, and he played well. So he deserve it. Congrats to him."
Federer's serve was in particular was supreme, but that wasn't all.
"His return was better than my one this afternoon. I didn't receive well today," Nadal said.
"When that happens, he's in advantage, he's in the control of the match generally because you feel little bit more under pressure than him.
"Even like this, I had the early break in the third. I had a couple of mistakes in that moment. That have been a tough moment I needed to resist.
"The beginning of the third probably was one of the keys of the match.
"Then I think at the end of the match I started to play much better, but it was late.
"He played aggressive, he played a great match, and just well done for him."
The match was the 40th instalment of their career series, but Nadal is adamant world sport's most enduring individual rivalry will continue despite it already stretching more than 15 years and both players well into their 30s.
"Is great to be part of this rivalry, (to) be in the middle of these three players (including Novak Djokovic) that achieved that much in this sport in the same era," Nadal said.
"It's something that is going to be difficult to see it again (but) we are not done, so things continue.
"(It) just has been another episode this afternoon.
"Of course, as I said the other day, we know that every time is less chances to play against each other in this high quality, high important matches.
"Was another chance this afternoon. Sad for the loss because for me was another opportunity.
"But at the same time I created another opportunity to be in another final of a grand slam.
"Just accept that was not my day. I played a great event. I take this in a positive way."
Gavrilova through to last 16 in Lausanne
Australia's Daria Gavrilova has beaten Switzerland's Ylena In-Albon in a tought three-set tie to advance to the last 16 of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Halep up to No.4, Serena No.9 after slam
Simona Halep has jumped three places to world No.4 in the WTA rankings following her Wimbledon championship win, while Serena Williams moved up a spot to No.9.
Strycova, Hseih win Wimbledon doubles
The curtain came down on Wimbledon with the women's doubles title going to Barbora Strycova and Su-Wei Hsieh and mixed doubles to Latisha Chan and Ivan Dodig.
Federer stoic after gut-wrenching loss
Roger Federer insists "it's all good" despite blowing two match points against Novak Djokovic in a gripping Wimbledon final at the All England Club.
Men's Wimbledon semi-final match-ups
How the men's Wimbledon semi-finalists match up.
Serena keeps calm in pursuit of number 24
Serena Williams is one win away from matching Australian Margaret Court's 24 grand slams singles titles after reaching her 11th Wimbledon final.
Snapshot from day nine at Wimbledon
Snapshot from day nine of Wimbledon at the All England Club.