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As it happenedended

Wimbledon 2019: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in five-set classic

The all-time greats produced an instant epic at the All England club, with the Serb triumphing 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) in five hours, two minutes

Kieran Jackson
Wimbledon
Sunday 14 July 2019 19:50 BST
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Wimbledon Championships in numbers

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Novak Djokovic triumphed in a five-seat, five-hour epic over Roger Federer after a thrilling Champions tie-break.

The Serb prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) and saved two Championship points in a back-and-forth contest on Centre Court.

Djokovic now moves to 16 Grand Slams, and is only four away from Federer's all-time record of 20.

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*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-5 Federer

Federer holds, as a wide serve on the deuce side and a body serve on the ad side are both hit long by Djokovic, who is usually so much more efficient on return. 

The Serb will now serve to stay in the third set. Big 1/2 hour in the match coming up...

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:06

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-5 Federer (15-30)

A few Djokovic errors, and suddenly Roger Federer is two points away from the third set!

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:08

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-5 Federer (30-30)

Powerful 119mph serve into the body sliced into the net by Federer.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:09

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-5 Federer (30-40)

SET POINT FEDERER, after a stunning backhand drop-half-volley (yes that is a shot).

What a moment...

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:10

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-5 Federer (40-40)

BREAK POINT SAVED - return not in play after a big Djokovic serve.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:10

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 5-5 Federer*

DJOKOVIC HOLDS!

A big serve and a Federer forehand into the net - Djokovic has escaped!

One set point saved - will Federer get another one?

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:12

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 5-6 Federer

No such problems for Federer on serve - he holds to love, as Djokovic is again wayward on return. 

Djokovic will serve to stay in the third set for a second time!

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:14

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 5-6 Federer (15-15)

Cracking rally to open up, and Federer wins it with a sweetly-struck backhand pass down the line!

Djokovic responds though, and hits a backhand winner of his own cross-court!

The level has gone up a peg or two....

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:16

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 6-6 Federer*

TIEBREAK TIME, v.2!

Federer nets a backhand down the line, and Djokovic holds to 15. 

Into a second breaker we go.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:18

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 6-6 Federer (1-0)

Federer shanks the ball out of court - Djokovic with a mini-break straight away.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:18

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