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 17:54 · Kieran Jackson]

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

DJOKOVIC HOLDS!

Fed mistimes a return, Djokovic gets to five games.

Federer will now serve to stay in the match! 

A reminder that if we get to 6-6, we don't play a tiebreak in the final set - we'll keep playing until 12-12, when a tiebreak would then be played! The way things have gone, you wouldn't bet against it...

[14 July 2019 17:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 5-4 Federer* (0-15)

Federer strikes a backhand volley into the net!

[14 July 2019 17:55 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Djokovic nets an attempted pass, then a Federer ace.

The Swiss edges in front in this most important of games.

[14 July 2019 17:55 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Federer backhand into the net.

Djokovic two points from victory....

[14 July 2019 17:56 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Absolutely nerveless!

Federer's forehand is well retrieved by Djokovic, but Federer anticipates it with a forehand volley into the open court!

[14 July 2019 17:57 · Kieran Jackson]

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

FEDERER HOLDS!

Djokovic goes long! 

Nothing to separate them. NOTHING!

[14 July 2019 17:57 · Kieran Jackson]

And apparently there's a cricket match on...

Don't take your eyes off this!

[14 July 2019 17:58 · Kieran Jackson]

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

Djokovic double faults, at 15-15. 

Even the best can be nervous....

[14 July 2019 18:00 · Kieran Jackson]

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

UNREAL!

Drop shot, pass, dive volley, you name it! Djokovic eventually wins it on the latter!

Point of the match!!!

[14 July 2019 18:00 · Kieran Jackson]

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

A big Djokovic serve down the T. Game point.