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 18:23 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 7-8 Federer* (ad Djokovic)

Federer slices into the net off the forehand, and now it's BREAK POINT!

[14 July 2019 18:24 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 8-8 Federer

I DON'T BELIEVE IT! DJOKOVIC BREAKS!

Federer nets a forehand. And we go on..

TWO CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS GONE FOR FEDERER!!!

[14 July 2019 18:27 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 8-8 Federer (40-30)

Oooohhh.... Djokovic looks to be cruising to a love hold, but now it's 40-30, as he goes wide off the top of the net...

[14 July 2019 18:28 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 9-8 Federer*

DJOKOVIC HOLDS!

118mph first serve does it, Federer slicing low into the net.

He edges in front! 

[14 July 2019 18:28 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 18:29 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 18:30 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 9-8 Federer* (15-15)

Federer nets, and then wins a mammoth point - looks to have it won at the net, but Djokovic gets back in it with a defensive lob!

The Serb eventually buckles...

[14 July 2019 18:31 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 9-8 Federer* (40-15)

Djokovic nets, twice in a row. 2 game points...

Mind you, the last time Federer was 40-15 up....

[14 July 2019 18:32 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 9-9 Federer

FEDERER HOLDS!

Djokovic's chipped return flies long. On we go.

Both players change rackets, and take a sip of water. 4 hours and 22 minutes of extraordinary drama!

[14 July 2019 18:33 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 9-9 Federer (15-15)

After Federer wins the first point, he nets on return....