Roger Federer's five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the 2007 Wimbledon finals might be on this list were it not for their rematch in the 2008 finals. Events coalesced on July 6, 2008, to create, in many minds, the greatest match ever played anywhere. Nadal and Federer had already developed an appealing rivalry, and Federer had dominated Wimbledon, having won the previous five Wimbledon titles in a row, His five-set victory over Nadal in the 2007 final heightened the anticipation for their 2008 meeting. They responded with four hours and 48 minutes of classic tennis, the longest final in Wimbledon history. Adding to the splendor of Nadal's 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (6-8), 9-7 victory was that it ended at 9:16 p.m., in a shroud of darkness.