Djokovic beats Federer in epic to clinch second Wimbledon title

Novak Djokovic claimed a second Wimbledon title after coming out on top in an extraordinary battle of wills against seven-times winner Roger Federer, eventually triumphing 6-7(7) 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4 in a gripping encounter on Sunday.

The Serb, who has now won seven Grand Slam titles, denied Federer the opportunity to win a record eighth All England Club trophy but was pushed all the way by the Swiss who faced a match point in the fourth set before forcing a decider.

Djokovic eventually wrapped up the contest that will go down as one of the greatest Wimbledon finals in three hours and 56 minutes, falling to the ground in celebration before climbing to the players' box to greet his camp with an emotional embrace.

"I don't know how I managed to do it," said a teary Djokovic, who had lost his last three Grand Slam finals.

"I want to dedicate this win to a few people, first of all to my future wife and our future baby. I am going to become a father soon and I am still preparing for that.

"To my family and my team for sacrifice a lot of their lives to allow me to live the dream and to my first coach Jelena Gencic, who taught me everything about playing tennis and how to behave. Unfortunately she passed away last year but this is for her."

Federer was magnanimous in defeat and even slightly disbelieving of his own resolve having forced a decider after looking down and out at 5-2 down in the fourth set.

"It was a great final. I can't believe I made it to five, it wasn't looking good for a while," he said.

"Going into a match with Novak, you know it's going to be tough. I can only say congratulations to him. It was an amazing match and an amazing tournament. It's well-deserved."

The Djokovic serve had seemed impregnable in the early games of the match. He held three times for the loss of a single point, while he was also able to apply gentle pressure on his opponent with some stinging returns.

The Stefan Edberg effect on Federer's game seemed to be in evidence as the Swiss made frequent forays to the net, with limited success, but both players held their nerve to take it to the tiebreak.

Federer, chasing a record eighth title, raced into an early 3-0 lead but was then pegged back and saved two set points before coming out on 9-7 when Djokovic netted a backhand after 51 minutes of scintillating play.

If Djokovic was simmering with a sense of injustice at losing a set in which he lost only four points on his first serve, he hid it well and came out energised in the second.

Federer was forced to save two break points in his opening service game and another in his next, but Djokovic made no mistake at the fourth time of asking, claiming the first break of the match for a 2-1 lead with a searing backhand pass.

ANKLE PROBLEM

The Serb called the trainer on court to treat an ankle injury, but stayed largely untroubled until he tried to serve out the second set at 5-4.

At 30-30, the Serb hit a forehand wide to hand Federer his first break point of the match, but swiftly regained his concentration to bring up set point with an ace and saw it out with a forehand smash.

In the third set both players flexed their serving muscles with the ace count mounting and neither facing a break point until the 11th game when Djokovic began to turn the screw once more.

The Serb ground out two break points but Federer again dug in, saving both with some precision serving to hold after a series of deuces.

It proved a brief reprieve however, as Djokovic came out firing in the tiebreak, bringing up a set point at 6-4 with a big forehand winner and getting over the line when Federer hit a backhand slice wide.

Djokovic looked to have a hand on the trophy when he pumped his clenched fist in celebration having broken in the fourth game of the fourth set for a 3-1 lead.

It proved to be the start of an extraordinary series of games, however, where both players took in turns to take apart the other's serve.

Federer broke straight back before again handing the momentum to the Serb, who opened a 5-2 lead and served for the match at 5-3.

The Centre Court crowd were willing Federer to find a route back into the clash and he duly obliged, breaking again to reduce the deficit to 5-4 before again finding himself under pressure to survive.

He netted a backhand to give Djokovic a matchpoint but served his way out of trouble and then set about putting the pressure back on Djokovic, breaking again and holding as Centre Court rose in a chorus of "Roger, Roger".

Weary legs did not diminish the quality of tennis on show in the fifth set as both players tussled for an advantage in the early evening sunshine.

Federer saved three break points in the eighth game as Djokovic and his famed resolve sought to take charge once more. The 32-year-old's seeping reserves could not hold out for long.

Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, Federer fell to 15-30, and then sent a forehand long to bring up another match point.

This time, there was no stopping the Serb as Federer netted a backhand to leave Djokovic to accept the acclaim of an emphatically appreciative crowd.

FIFTH SET: FEDERER 4 DJOKOVIC 6

Djokovic putting everything possible into this game. He gains a double break point advantage and he wins it. Championship point for Djokovic.  Djokovic 6 Federer 4

Federer had his moments but Djokovic served well including an ace as he surges ahead keeping his serve. Djokovic 5 Federer 4

Brilliant work from Djokovic as he is pushing Federer to the corners to earn a double break point. Federer saves both to force a deuce. Intense battle unfolds as Federer wins it. Djokovic 4 Federer 4

Djokovic looks tired but he still ensuring not to let Federer dominate despite being at 30-all and then at 30-40. At deuce, intense battle follows before the Serb manages to hold on. Djokovic 4 Federer 3

Federer is making Djokovic run around the court as he takes the game in four straight points including two aces. Djokovic 3 Federer 3

Djokovic is made to work hard but he still gets those cruical points, including a 23-stroke rally, to hold on to his serve. Djokovic 3 Federer 2

Another comfortable game for Federer as he wins not losing a point. Djokovic 2 Federer 2

Awesome serves from Djokovic but Federer is giving him a tough time but the Serb hold on to his serve. Djokovic 2 Federer 1

Federer at his best as he does not waste much time to get an ace to seal the game not dropping a point. Djokovic 1 Federer 1

Djokovic recovers well to take his first game quickly. Djokovic 1 Federer 0

FOURTH SET: FEDERER 7 DJOKOVIC 5

Federer playing stunning tennis as he leads 40-15 to take two set points. He wins in the first to capture the fourth set to draw level. Djokovic 5 Federer 7.

BREAK! Three points including a double fault lost as Federer has triple break points. Djokovic successfully saves two of them as the Swiss gets the most important break. Djokovic 5 Federer 6.

Another intense battle as Djokovic fights hard to win a break point. Brilliant serves including two aces meant Federer holds the serve. Djokovic 5 Federer 5.

BREAK! Federer is there fighting hard till the very end. He is up 0-30 before Djokovic fires some stunning serves to to level it. Federer pushes it further to earn a break point and wins it to win back the initiative. Djokovic 5 Federer 4.

Not much of a problem for Federer in winning that game. He loses just a point as Djokovic serves for the championship game. Djokovic 5 Federer 3

It's all happening out here as Federer refuses to bow down at his favourite venue. Stunning rallies takes him ahead to 15-30 before Djokovic fights stronger to win the next three points to hold his serve. Djokovic 5 Federer 2

BREAK! Djokovic is not letting it easy for the Swiss as he earns a break point. He wins it as he again gains the momentum back. Djokovic 4 Federer 2

BREAK! That's sensational stuff from Federer as he fight back hard to immediately get the break back. His first in the match. Djokovic 3 Federer 2

BREAK! Djokovic gets everything right at the moment as he quickly runs to a triple break point advantage. Federer ups the ante to save all of those before Djokovic fires two straight points to force the break. Djokovic 3 Federer 1

The Serb does it easily to hold on to his serve. He is serving well as he puts pressure on his opponent. Djokovic 2 Federer 1

It's a crucial set for Federer as he serves well to hold his game. Djokovic 1 Federer 1

Djokovic begins well wrapping the first game of the fourth set quite comfortably. Djokovic 1 Federer 0

THIRD SET: FEDERER 6 DJOKOVIC 7

Djokovic is brilliant over here as he takes the set via tie-breaker 7-6 (4) to take a 2-1 lead.

That's easy one for Djokovic winning it without much fuss. Federer 6 Djokovic 6

Federer manages to retain his serve but not before Djokovic had him on the edge pushing the game to deuce and also earning two break points. Federer 6 Djokovic 5

Incredible passing winners from Djokovic everytime Federer comes close to the net. Drops just a point to get the game. Federer 5 Djokovic 5

Top serves from the Swiss as he gets four aces to take his tally to 17 in the match already. Incredible stuff from Federer as Djokovic is watching wonderstruck. Federer 5 Djokovic 4

Brilliant serves from Djokovic as Federer is finding it tough to deal with it. Four straight points and Djokovic draws level. Federer 4 Djokovic 4

Federer has it easy again as he wins another game losing just a point. Federer 4 Djokovic 3

Djokovic struggles a bit but still manages to hold on to his serve. Federer desperately looking for that elusive break. Federer 3 Djokovic 3

Another comfortable service game for Federer as he wins without dropping a point. Federer 3 Djokovic 2

Djokovic's serves are spot on to wrap the game easily giving away only one point. Federer 2 Djokovic 2

It's going smooth for Federer as he seals the game not losing a single point. Federer 2 Djokovic 1

Djokovic also does not waste much time to keep his serve. Both are looking fresh after a short break during the end of second set. Federer 1 Djokovic 1

Easy start for Federer despite a late fight from Djokovic as the Swiss wins his first game of the third set. Federer 1 Djokovic 0

SECOND SET: FEDERER 4 DJOKOVIC 6

Brilliant serves gives Djokovic the edge but Federer's not giving it up with impressive forehand winners as he levels at 30-all and then takes a break point. Fiery serves follow as Djokovic manages to win the game and set. Federer 4 Djokovic 6

Federer keeps his serve without much fuss as Djokovic prepares to serve for the set. Federer 4 Djokovic 5

Djokovic keeps the lead going as he scores another easy win. Federer is going too widish and committing too many mistakes. Federer 3 Djokovic 5

Djokovic does not allow Federer to have an easy game as he reaches 30-all before Federer fires two big serves to wrap it. Federer 3 Djokovic 4

A comfortable one for Djokovic. It's important for him to hold on to his serve especially with Federer building the pressure. Federer 2 Djokovic 4

Easy one for Federer as Djokovic is still up a break. Federer 2 Djokovic 3

Djokovic showing amazing consistency as he runs way to a 40-0 lead. But Federer is magical as he forces it to deuce with some stunning forehand shots. Djokovic manages to recover well to hold on to the game. Federer 1 Djokovic 3

BREAK! Djokovic has called for the trainer but before he arrives the Serb is dominating leading 0-30 before Federer takes the next three points to reach 40-30. Djokovic pushes it to deuce before a double fault from Federer and a brilliant back hand winner from Djokovic gets the first break of the match. Federer 1 Djokovic 2

A long battle to the start of the second set with Federer finally managing to hold on to his serve. Djokovic though looked impressive but could not push it when it mattered despite having many break points. Federer 1 Djokovic 0

FIRST SET: DJOKOVIC 6 FEDERER 7

Federer seals the first set after a long tie break battle as he wraps it 9-7. Djokovic 6 Federer 7

It's down to the tie breaker as Federer keeps his serve. Djokovic 6 Federer 6

Djokovic looked to be struggling for the first time in the set as Federer takes it to deuce before Djokovic manages to hold on. Djokovic 6 Federer 5

Great battle as Djokovic takes 15-30 lead in the crucial game before it heads to deuce. Federer emerges on the top to take the next two important points. Djokovic 5 Federer 5

Interesting game as the longest rally of 21 strokes were played with both of them targeting the backhand. Federer went up 15-30 before Djokovic fired an ace followed by two brilliant serves to win the game. Djokovic 5 Federer 4

Federer gets his first ace of the match but that does not stop Djokovic to push Federer to the first deuce as well. The Swiss recovers well with two brilliant serves to take the game. Djokovic 4 Federer 4

Djokovic seems to be in superior form compared to his opponent. He again keeps his serve losing just a single point. Djokovic 4 Federer 3

Federer holds on to his serve but not before Djokovic gave him some hard time winning two crucial points. Djokovic 3 Federer 3

Djokovic hardly drops a sweat to take another comfortable game without dropping a point again. The game also included an ace. Djokovic 3 Federer 2

Federer has been coming closer to the net quite often. His serves have been spot on. Djokovic 2 Federer 2

It's easy for Djokovic as he does not drop a single point to seal the game. Djokovic 2 Federer 1

Federer responds in a similar fashion with some impressive serves to go 30-0 ahead but Djokovic produces a stunning game to level it and also taking it to deuce. Two good serves from Federer as holds on to his serve. Djokovic 1 Federer 1

Djokovic starts well to win his first game just dropping a point. He is serving well. Djokovic 1 Federer 0

The players are in the court as they begin warming up.

PREVIEW

Old rivalries will be renewed on and off the court in the men's Wimbledon final on Sunday when Roger Federer, bidding for a record eighth title, takes on top seed Novak Djokovic.

While two of the game's most recognisable figures meet on Centre Court, their 'super coaches' will be pitted against each other once again in southwest London.

Former champions Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg were embroiled in one of the All England Club's fiercest rivalries from 1988 to 1990, competing in three successive finals with Edberg winning two of them.

Since then the pair have turned their attention to coaching with Djokovic and Becker joining forces in December last year and Federer and Edberg following suit.

"It's going really well," 17-times Grand Slam champion Federer said of his relationship with Swede Edberg. "My game's back where I hoped it would be from one year ago.

"Stefan is clearly a piece of the puzzle, so is my fitness coach, Severin (Luthi), and everybody around me. They make it possible for me to wake up every morning motivated, healthy, fit and eager to play."

The Swiss has not reached a grand slam final since clinching the Wimbledon title in 2012.

Serbian Djokovic won Wimbledon in 2011, and last captured a grand slam title at the Australian Open in 2013, but he has lost his last three major finals, including Wimbledon last year to Andy Murray.

Federer has an 18-16 advantage in matches against Djokovic but Sunday's showpiece will be only the second meeting the duo have contested on grass.

Federer won the previous battle in the semi-final en route to his seventh Wimbledon crown in 2012 and the 32-year-old also beat Djokovic in the 2007 U.S Open final - the only grand slam final the pair have contested.

"I must say I've enjoyed the matches against him," said Federer who will surpass Pete Sampras and William Renshaw as the only man with eight Wimbledon singles titles if he beats the Serb.

"We didn't come through the rankings together; I was established while he was coming up.

"But ever since he's won grand slams and became world No.1, it's been a cool rivalry, in my opinion."

Djokovic is itching to claim his seventh Grand Slam title.

"It's a good chance for me to try to win against him on his favourite surface, on his favourite court," said the 27-year-old who will play in his third All England Club final in four years.

"This is where he has had the most success in his career, winning many titles but I know that I can win.

"I should have won a few matches that I lost in finals of grand slams over the last couple of years.

"But it's an experience. It's a learning process. It's understanding, identifying where the problem is, pushing for it and working on it."
 

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