Wimbledon 2017: Relive our blog on Roger Federer v Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon men's singles final

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Federer wins Wimbledon for record eighth time
Fourth title for Whiley and Kamiji
Muguruza: I put it all together

By Andy Schooler (Twitter: @NetTalkTennis; Email: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com)

1615: Thanks for joining us today for what was frankly, another disappointing match. Cilic actually started fairly well and forced the first break point early in the first set. But he didn't get another. The occasion appeared to get to him and he certainly had a foot problem, although how much difference it made, only he will truly know. Federer was ruthless, as he was throughout the fortnight, and an eighth title simply cements his place among the all-time greats of this sport. The way he's playing, even at close to 36, suggests there's still much more to come. He has 19 Grand Slams now - every chance he gets to 20 by the turn of the year. I'm off to write a betting preview of next week's ATP events - real tennis if you like. They head to Newport, Bastad and Umag tomorrow - check out my tips a little bit later. I'll also tweet them out on @NetTalkTennis.

1606: The Big Four first became the top four in the world rankings on September 8 2008. Following Federer's success, tomorrow they will be the ATP’s top four once again.

1603: On his latest record, winning eight times: "It's disbelief I can reach such heights. I always believed I could maybe come back and win it again."

1602: Federer up next - he won't be quitting today.

"This wasn't my last match. I hope I can come back next year and defend the title."

1559: Cilic at the presentation fights back the tears: "I never gave up throughout my whole career.

"I gave my best that's all I could do.

"I had an amazing joruney here. I played the best tennis of my life.

"I'm hoping I'm going to come back here and try it one more time."

1557: To great applause, Federer gets his hands back on the trophy - it's his first triumph in SW19 since 2012.

1554: Federer looking tearful. Is this it for him? His four kids are up in the players' box now.

1553: Some great stats relate to Federer's achievement:

Federer (35 years 342 days) becomes the oldest man in the Open era to win the Wimbledon title.

Federer is only the second man to win the same Grand Slam title eight times (after Rafael Nadal, 10 French Opens)

45 of the last 50 Grand Slam titles have now been won by members of the Big Four of Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray

1551: GAME SET MATCH FEDERER 6-3 6-1 6-4 A nervy error on the first point is quickly followed by an ace. Another big first serve wide is retunred long by Cilic. And another - unreturned. Two championship points. The first is missed as Federer strikes a forehand down the line long. But an ace to finish! An eighth title for Federer at Wimbledon. A new record!

1547: Cilic 3-6 1-6 4-5* Federer At least Cilic makes Federer serve for the title. He gets to 40-0 before double faulting but then Federer returns long. Now is his time to deliver - he'll serve for the title.

1545: Cilic 3-6 1-6 3*-5 Federer Cilic has really sturggled to do much with the Federer serve today but there's a bright moment for him - a lovely backhand sliced drop shot which leaves Federer rooted to the baseline. It's the only bright spot though - Federer holds comfortably to 15 and is a game away from a record eighth Wimbledon title.

1542: Cilic 3-6 1-6 3-4* Federer That comment did the trick. Cilic falls down 15-40 before going into the tape with a forehand on the first break point. Into the death throes you sense. Meanwhile, there a a few spots of rain. Could that save him? The roof is open as things stand - they will stop and close it if the rain gets too bad.

1539: Federer to win 3-1 is currently an 11/2 Price Boost from our betting partners Sky Bet. Not the worst price in the world given the Cilic recovery has certainly begun, although you'd expect Federer to be able to finish this off in three. Click here for all the latest in-play odds.

1538: Cilic 3-6 1-6 3*-3 Federer Federer starts with an ace, Cilic misses with two returns and can't control another. Less than a minute to hold for Federer.

1537: Cilic 3-6 1-6 3-2* Federer The Cilic first-serve percentage has climbed to 60 which helps explain why he's become more competitive. Still, despite getting the delivery finding its mark with regularity, he's still pushed to 40-30 before slamming down an ace out wide. Fist pump towards his box follows.

1533: Cilic 3-6 1-6 2*-2 Federer For the first time since the first set, Cilic gets to deuce as Federer produces a couple of errors from 40-15. However, he then deliver the swinging ace out wide which is followed by Cilic sending a forehand over the baseline. At least it's more competitive now.

1529: Cilic 3-6 1-6 2-1* Federer Another poor Cilic forehand is dumped into the net for 0-30 but he then dishes out two impressive winners - is there hope for the Croatian yet? He has game points but fails to take them before netting a forehand. It's another break point but he comes up with a serve-volley play which works to perfection. We've seen far too few of those today - Cilic needs that approach to win against Federer. He finally manages to hold as Federer fires long. Cilic is hanging in - just.

1519: Cilic 3-6 1-6 1*-1 Federer Cilic audibly angry with himself as he nets a fairly simple forehand. Federer follows with an ace for another comfortable hold - to 15. He's 4-2 up on the ace count so far. Double faults is 2-2 if you've had bets on those. First-serve percentages: Fed 72, Marin 57.

1519: Cilic 3-6 1-6 1-0* Federer The crowd help Cilic as he produces a hold to 15. The problem is he's won just eight points on return so far in the entire match. let's see how he gets on now.

1517: He's going to fight on and is 50/1 to turn the match around with Sky Bet. Click here for all the in-play odds, including next game and current set scoreline.

1514: Medical time out for Cilic as the trainer returns to court - it's something to do with the sole of his foot, a blister probably, which is being taped up. The last player to retire in the Wimbledon men's singles final was Briton Herbert Roper Barrett in 1911.

1512: Cilic 3-6 1-6 0*-0 Federer Federer ruthless here. Blink and you miss it. The serves rain down and Cilic is unable to deal with any of them to any great effect. A love hold and it's a two-set lead.  The last player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles final from two sets down was Henri Cochet in 1927 (v Jean Borotra).

1510: Cilic 3-6 1-5* Federer Cilic gets to 30-0 but a superb dipping Federer return to his feet puts him back under pressure. Federer is enjoying plenty of success from the back of the court, forcing Cilic into errors, and he duly gets to deuce. A second serve is swatted away for a backhand winner by Federer to create a break point. However, the Swiss miscues this time off a second serve and sends the return wide. A 134mph first serve fails to win Cilic the next point - Federer returns it and Cilic then goes wide - and when the Croat misses with a volley on the following point, Federer has the double break. Mis-match this.

1504: Cilic 3-6 1*-4 Federer Federer marching on and showing no signs of sympathy for his opponent. A hold to 15 is clinched with Cilic going long. The trainer isn't coming back out. Perhaps it's Cilic's mind which is letting him down - I remember Guillermo Coria's body being wracked by nerves in a bizarre 2004 French Open final which he led by two sets and should have won. He lost, 8-6 in the fifth, to Gaston Gaudio that year.

1501: Cilic 3-6 1-3* Federer Again, no real sign of a physical issue as Cilic serves. He manages an absolutely crucial hold. Must admit I was focusing more on his movement there than where the ball was going!

1458: Not really much done there by the trainer. They had a chat which suggests it was a problem already known about. Cilic will continue.

1457: Cilic sits down, calls the doctor and trainer on to court and is literally in tears! Not sure this match will last much longer. He did slip earlier but no injury was obvious during play.

1456: Cilic 3-6 0*-3 Federer Federer's run of points on serve comes to an end when he nets but the errors in the main are coming from his opponent. Another takes Federer to 40-15 and the Swiss clinches the game with an ace.

1454: Cilic 3-6 0-2* Federer Having failed to produce a single ace in the first set, Cilic delivers two in the first three points but Federer still gets to 30-30. It's soon break point and then Cilic goes wide to hand the Swiss the early break. It's unravelling here quickly for Cilic, just as it did for Venus Williams yesterday.

1450: Cilic 3-6 0*-1 Federer A third consecutive love hold from Federer. Jonas Bjorkman, Cilic's coach, looks on concerned up in the players' box.

1448: A couple of stats for you:

Six of the previous seven meetings between Federer and Cilic have been won by the player winning the first set.

Only 16 of the 49 Open-era Wimbledon finals have been won by the player losing the first set.

1447: Cilic 3-6* Federer A crunching backhand pass from Federer with Cilic on top of the net brings up set point but this time Cilic gets his first serve in and Federer can't keep the return in court. However, a second chance follows when Cilci sends a forehand wide. Cilci then double faults to end a miserable few games. He had started well too.

1442: Cilic 3*-5 Federer Federer has definitely settled now. The eighth game whizzes by and it's another love hold with Cilic struggling on the backhand side. He's getting 71 per cent of his first serves in play and winning 87 per cent of the points behind it. Cilic is still below 50 per cent with his first serve and has to raise that figure.

1441: Royal Box update - politics winner is Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London. Nigel Farage is the loser - King Brexit is in the public seats close to the press box, reports the Daily Mail's Mike Dickson.

1440: Cilic 3-4* Federer Cilic eases to 40-0 but when Federer conjures up a delightful backhand drop shot which almost comes back over his side of the net it's 40-30. Cilic then double faults! Worrying times for the Croat but Federer then nets and a big serve out wide can't be returned. He went around the houses but a much-needed hold it is nonetheless.

1435: Cilic 2*-4 Federer Easy hold from Federer - the first to love in the match - as his first serve clicks into gear. Little to report there so will mention that the Royal Box today features the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Michael McIntyre. Cut from the same cloth no doubt.

1432: Cilic 2-3* Federer The second point of the game is the best of the match so far. Federer gets to a drop shot. Cilic slips as he makes the crosscourt return and the Swiss just manages to get a racquet on the ball to find the open court and make it 0-30. Suddenly the favourite has three break points. He goes long on the first two but the third chance is taken - Federer getting stuck into a second serve to take control of the rally and Cilic nets a couple of strokes later.

1427: Cilic 2*-2 Federer This isn't the best start from Federer. He loses the first point of his service agame again and a double fault leaves him in a spot of bother at 30-30. When he then slices into the net, the first break point arrives but Federer jams Cilic up on the second serve and the Croat nets. When Cilic fires wide, Federer again is heard shouting at himself - he's pumped and I suspect also worried by his start.

1422: Cilic 2-1* Federer Cilic's first -serve percatnage is dwn below 50 per cent so far but importantly he's still winning points on his second - five of seven so far. He holds to 15 when Federer fires long. Much more comfortable in that game for the Croat.

1418: Cilic 1*-1 Federer There's the massive forehand I was talking about earlier - a lovely, low-hit winner takes him to 15-30. Federer recovers to 40-30, geeing himself up with a 'let's go' in German, but then double faults. Still, he delivers two good serves from there to level the set.

1414: Cilic 1-0* Federer Early signs of Cilic nerves - a poor first serve to start and then a forehand long to leave him 15-30 down. He recovers to 40-30 but then nets a forehand. However, a good body (second) serve take him back to game point and Federer then nets. A shaky start by Cilic but Federer also had a couple of errors in that game.

1410: All set to go - Cilic to serve first.

1406: A final pre-match thought - are we about to witness the final match of Roger Federer's career?

I don't think so but the thought must surely have crossed his mind about retiring if he wins. It would be some way to go. However, I believe there's much more to come from the Swiss the way he's playing, even if he does turn 36 in a few weeks' time.

1404: The player pose for a pre-match photo and begin the knock-up. As they do so, here's a final plug for my betting preview. As you'll see, I backed Federer outright a fortnight ago so am hoping to add profits to my each-way bet on Venus Williams in the ladies' singles.

1403: Coin toss time. Cilic calls incorrectly and Federer opts to receive.

1400: Cilic leads the duo out onto court to a rosuing reception from the packed crowd.

1359: The players are on their way through the halls of the famous Centre Court building.

1356: Cilic is also playing some of the best tennis of his life. He impressed at Queen's and has done so again here. Serve will be huge for him today. Cilic has often served more aces in their previous matches and he'll need to win a high percentage on first serve - and keep the second competitive too. He'sno mug off the ground too and will be confident of being able to compete with Federer from the baseline. The backhand isn't as strong as the forehand though - the Swiss could well look to target that wing. Bad news for the Croat is that he's lost 11 of his last 12 matches against top-five-ranked opponents. He's also got the occasion to deal with - this is his first taste of the Wimbledon final. Federer ha been here before. Lots.

1354: OK, a quick rundown on Federer. In case you hadn't heard, he's been excellent over the past two weeks. Make that the poast six months. I'm among those who believe he's playing some of the best tennis of his career - some of the shots he's conjured up in his last couple of matches have been astounding and I just don't see him losing today. That said, I didn't see Cilic blasting him off the court at the 2014 US Open but I'd also say he wasn't at the level then that he is now. I see few weaknesses in his game.

1350: Speaking on the BBC, John McEnroe just agreed with my verdict that Federer will win in four sets.

1348: A quick betting update. Outsider Cilic has been the subject of some support in the market with Sky Bet having cut their price to 7/2 today. That still leaves Federer a heavy favourite at 2/9 but that's longer than the 1/6 that was put up immeditaely after his semi-final win on Friday.

Our betting partners Sky Bet make Federer 5/4 to win in straight sets with Cilic 16/1 to do likewise. A Federer five-set win is 6/1.The firm's big-match Price Boost sees a Federer 3-0 win while serving the most aces and fewest double faults offered at 7/1 (out from 5/1).

Click here for all the latest match odds, including RequestABet selections.

1341: Here's something else you might be interested in. Today is the final day to enter our competition to win a copy of Judy Murray's new book. Expect her to be on Centre Court later - her elder son Jamie will be taking part in the mixed doubles final after the singles one is over. Click here for full details.

1339: Before I move on, here a couple of other Federer-based stats for you.

Federer is yet to drop a set at this year’s Wimbledon. The last player to win the men’s title without losing a set was Bjorn Borg in 1976.

Federer today plays his 102nd Wimbledon match, equalling Jimmy Connors’ record.

You'll soon realise I do love a good stat.

1337: As far as Grand Slam finals go, you won't be surprised to know Federer holds the aces in terms of experience.

Cilic has only played in one - beating Kei Nishikori in three sets in the 2014 US Open final.

This will be a record 29th for Federer, however, He's won 18 of the previous 28 and holds a 7-3 record in Wimbledon finals.

1335: The head-to-head record is very much in Federer's favour - 6-1 he leads overall. Here's how it breaks down:

Overall: Federer leads 6-1
On grass: Federer leads 1-0
At Wimbledon: Federer leads 1-0
In Grand Slams: Federer leads 2-1
In finals: Yet to play
In 2017: Yet to play

Their last meeting was on Centre Court 12 months ago when Federer won in five sets after saving three match points in the fourth. It was a cracker and something similar today would do nicely.

1330: Welcome to what could be an historic occasion. Roger Federer will bid for a record eighth Wimbledon men's singles title, a feat which would leave Pete Sampras and William Renshaw trailing behind him. I can't believe the day would come when we were talking about a better grasscourt player than Sampras but here we are. Of course, Marin Cilic will have plenty to say about that and he's been playing some great stuff.

I'll talk a little more about both players shortly but first up you can check out some of my thoughts about how this might unfold in my betting preview which includes my best bet a 5/1 long shot and a stats-based punt.