Gold standard

by Matt Cronin, Special to FOXSports.com Updated: July 6, 2008, 7:35 PM EST 5 comments WIMBLEDON, England - Rafael Nadal's first Grand Slam title off clay was never going to be easy, but this was ridiculous. Who knew the Spaniard would have to come through arguably the greatest men's final ever in his phenomenal 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 victory over five-time defending champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon? Rafael Nadal made good on his third crack at the Wimbledon title. (Anja Niedringhaus / Associated Press) Maybe the only one who knew was the 22-year-old Spaniard, who defined heroic in an epic 4-hour, 48-minute contest in which Federer proved equally deserving of the title. "Probably my hardest loss, by far," a despondent Federer said later. Had he lost the match — where he was in control in every set — Nadal may have... [read full story]