The historic eighth Wimbledon title Sunday for Roger Federer lifted the overnight rating for ESPN’s coverage of the Gentlemen’s Championship to a 1.9, concluding the exclusive coverage of The Championships. The 36-year old No. 3 seed Federer defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets and broke a tie of seven Wimbledon trophies with Pete Sampras and, from the 1880s, William Renshaw.  It was his 19th Major title, extending his own record.  The 2 hour, 15-minute match was part of a six-hour telecast that also included the Mixed Doubles Championship.

A year ago, Andy Murray’s straight-sets victory over Milos Raonic earned a 1.8 overnight rating, according to Nielsen.

ESPN’s tennis coverage continues this summer with an extensive schedule of the US Open Series, leading into exclusive coverage of the US Open in New York beginning Monday, August 28.