Djokovic beats Federer to defend Wimbledon

London.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer provided tennis fit for a golden age on Sunday before the world No 1 eased to a third Wimbledon title.

Djokovic was stretched to his limits at times but ultimately proved too good for Andy Murray’s conqueror, winning 7-6 6-7 6-4 6-3 in two hours and 55 minutes.

The Serb thrashed away a final inside-out cross court forehand with a victorious cry to seal it, before eating a blade of grass. He was pushed all the way by the player who had been so imperious up until this match.

By doing so he moved ahead of the likes of Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl to register a ninth Grand Slam title, furthering his case to be regarded as one of the greats of the sport already at just 28.

Federer could not quite rouse himself to the heights he reached in knocking out Murray two days ago, but then his precision serving was up against an even more skilled returner than the world No 3.

The match will be remembered for the outstanding passage of play that developed late in the second set, as the Swiss clung on to force what turned into a thrilling tiebreak that almost lifted the roof off the Centre Court.

Federer had also forced two set points at 6-5 in the first set but the Serb saved both of them with powerful, flat serves wide out to the backhand that were unreturnable.
He is left without a Grand Slam title since 2012 final here and he will know that time is running out to acquire an eighteenth, especially in a sport so physical, as was amply demonstrated here.

Djokovic showed that he could overcome the effects of the huge disappointment he suffered by missing out on the French Open again in Paris. He is the complete tennis warrior.
The two tiebreaks were utterly contrasting, and while the first was forgettable the second will be talked about for years.

In the opener Federer, who Murray failed to take to one of the sudden death shootouts, was suddenly all out of first serves and he lost it 7-1 through a double fault.

The second will be bracketed with the likes of the great Bjorn Borg-John McEnroe tiebreak of 1980 which McEnroe won 18-16. Borg had seven match points in that, while Djokovic had seven set points in this one before losing it 12-10, Federer taking it on his second attempt.

It could be argued that Swiss played worse in the second set, which he ended up winning, than he did in the others.
Ultimately, like so many of these matches between great players, it was all about who could be the most composed on the big points. An absolute monster was in the third set at 1-0 up when he forced a break point, got into a rally but hit a forehand long.

Had he managed that then the huge change in momentum would have been consolidated. But instead Djokovic held on.