Nadal takes first set in Wimbledon final

Enlarge Photo Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their finals... Slideshow: Day in Pictures: 6th July 2008

Sun, Jul 6 08:14 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal dominated the early exchanges of the Wimbledon men's singles final against Roger Federer on Sunday, taking the first set 6-4 in 48 minutes.

The second seed, bidding to become the first Spaniard to win the title since Manuel Santana in 1966, broke Federer's second service game when the Swiss completely missed a backhand.

Federer, aiming for a modern era record sixth consecutive Wimbledon title, had the chance to break back immediately but wafted a forehand over the baseline.

Nadal peppered Federer's backhand throughout the set to keep the Swiss world number one on the back foot.

Federer had another two break points when Nadal served for the set at 5-4 but failed to convert them and then netted a backhand to hand the Majorcan the lead.

In the 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon finals between the pair Federer took the first set.

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