Roger Federer wins record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title with comfortable victory over Marin Cilic

Roger Federer trounced a tearful Marin Cilic to become the first man ever to win eight singles titles at Wimbledon.

It took the 35-year-old just an hour and 41 minutes to clinch by far his most one-sided Wimbledon final triumph and extend his overall record with a 19th grand slam singles title.

The 6-3 6-1 6-4 victory continues Federer’s magnificent season in what should be his tennis dotage but even the most ardent of the Swiss’ fans – and there were many packed into Centre Court – did not want the final to play out like this.

Federer took a big step towards a record eighth Wimbledon title by winning the opening set of the final 6-3.

This was an 11th Wimbledon final for Federer and a first for Cilic but the Croatian began well, rushing his opponent with powerful, flat hitting.

Cilic had a chance to get the first break on the board in the third game but netted a backhand and it was to prove very costly.

Federer reeled off six points in a row to get to 0-40 on the Cilic serve and another poor backhand gave the third seed the break.

Federer now looked totally relaxed and a double fault from Cilic on set point settled the opener after only 35 minutes.

When Federer broke serve again at the start of the second set, it looked like he might totally run away with the match.

Cilic called for the doctor and sat sobbing uncontrollably into his towel during the change of ends at 3-0.

When umpire Damien Dumusois called ‘time’, Cilic continued to sit with a towel over his head but eventually roused himself and walked back on court.

The crowd, who as expected had been squarely behind Federer, now roared for his opponent – they wanted their man to win but they also wanted a match.

Cilic steadied himself to hold serve, halting the run of games against him, but he was playing nowhere near his best and Federer eased to the second set 6-1.

Cilic took a medical time-out at the start of the third set to have treatment for what appeared to be blisters on his left foot.

The crowd were now cheering his every point and Cilic dug in admirably at the start of the third set.

But once Federer broke for 4-3 the contest was all but over, and he took his second match point with an ace.

PA

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