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 16:49 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-3 Federer*

And yet...

[14 July 2019 16:50 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-4 Federer*

Federer holds comfortably to love, Djokovic seems to have lost his way on return 

Oh boy is this final interesting now! 

[14 July 2019 16:52 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-4 Federer* (30-30)

A superb drop volley by Federer on the stretch at 30-15!

[14 July 2019 16:53 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-4 Federer* (30-40)

BREAK POINT FEDERER!

Djokovic slices long, after a sublime Federer groundstroke!

This for a double break lead...

[14 July 2019 16:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-5 Federer*

FEDERER BREAKS!

Djokovic's backhand drifts long, and Federer has a double break lead!

Looks like we're heading to five sets here ladies and gents!

[14 July 2019 16:57 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-5 Federer* (30-30)

Federer slices loosely into the net, and this set isn't done yet...

[14 July 2019 16:57 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-5 Federer* (30-40)

Wow, Djokovic caresses a backhand up the line, and he has his FIRST BREAK POINT OF THE MATCH!

[14 July 2019 16:59 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-5 Federer* (40-40)

BREAK POINT SAVED, and what a point!

Has to be the longest rally of the match, and it concludes with a Federer backhand down the line winner! Unreal tennis!

[14 July 2019 17:00 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 2-5 Federer* (ad Djokovic)

This time though, Federer nets. BREAK POINT NO. 2!

[14 July 2019 17:02 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 3-5 Federer

DJOKOVIC BREAKS! His first break of the match!

Federer slices into the net. That's 1/2 breaks recovered...