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

Wimbledon Championships in numbers

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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Key Points

• Djokovic takes the first set 7-6, rattling off four straight points in the tie-breaker to triumph 7-5 and lead 1-0
• Federer storms back to breeze the second set in quick time at 6-1, levelling the match at 1-1
• Djokovic edges a tight third set, 7-4 in the tie break, to move within a set of the title
• Federer rushes into a two-break lead in the fourth, only for the Serb to grab one back, but the 37-year-old will not be denied, clinching it 6-4 to confirm a fifth set
• Djokovic prevails in a Champions tie-break 7-3 after the pair were tied up at 12 games all

[14 July 2019 16:06 · Kieran Jackson]

*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...

[14 July 2019 16:08 · Kieran Jackson]

*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!

[14 July 2019 16:09 · Kieran Jackson]

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

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

[14 July 2019 16:10 · Kieran Jackson]

*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...

[14 July 2019 16:10 · Kieran Jackson]

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

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

[14 July 2019 16:12 · Kieran Jackson]

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?

[14 July 2019 16:14 · Kieran Jackson]

*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!

[14 July 2019 16:16 · Kieran Jackson]

*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....

[14 July 2019 16:18 · Kieran Jackson]

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.

[14 July 2019 16:18 · Kieran Jackson]

*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.