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 17:41 · Kieran Jackson]

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

BREAK POINT SAVED!

Djokovic flirts with the lines, but it's Federer who goes long with a forehand. 

Deuce - biggest game of the match now....

[14 July 2019 17:42 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Stunning point! Federer caresses a forehand down the line for a winner, after peppering Djokovic's backhand continuously!

BREAK POINT.

[14 July 2019 17:44 · Kieran Jackson]

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

FEDERER BREAKS STRAIGHT BACK!

Djokovic goes long! We're back on serve! Immense drama on Centre!

[14 July 2019 17:45 · Kieran Jackson]

3 hours and 34 minutes of captivating sporting contest. 

WHAT NEXT?!

[14 July 2019 17:45 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 17:46 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 4-3 Federer* (15-30)

He's made it. Djokovic steers a backhand down the line, past Federer at the net. 15-30!

[14 July 2019 17:47 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 4-3 Federer* (30-30)

Blimey! Djokovic's forehand inside-in looks good, but it clips the the net and goes wide.

[14 July 2019 17:48 · Kieran Jackson]

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

FEDERER HOLDS!

Ace down the T! It's two sets all, four games all... don't think I can take much more?!

Going down to the wire...

[14 July 2019 17:51 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 4-4 Federer (40-15)

Federer wins the first point of the game with a stupidly good drop shot, but Djokovic crucially remains composed on serve...

Given they've played over 3 1/2 hours, the standard is still so, so high!

[14 July 2019 17:52 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Another beauty of a backhand drop shot! Djokovic can only stretch and strike into the net.

Still game point...