2.35PM PLAY BEGINS: Nadal takes charge

THE first point is an engrossing 14-shot rally which ends with Nadal swerving a forehand down the line, his brutal signature shot. Tournament referee Andrew Jarrett is watching from the side of the court. ‘The first point was almost like a statement of intent from both players; that they were here to win the title and were going to give it everything,’ he says.

This sets the tone, as the Spaniard prospers in a baseline battle. The match is being played on his terms and in his territory.

‘The fear is a match you build up isn’t quite what you want it to be and I thought this was a damp squib,’ says Castle. ‘When Nadal won the first two sets he was hitting the ball like a pistol shot out of the middle of the racket. It looked like a younger man putting the older man to the sword.’