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 19:42 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 20:02 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 20:02 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 20:03 · Kieran Jackson]

Here's Luke Brown's piece from Wimbledon on how Djokovic did it:

[14 July 2019 20:09 · Kieran Jackson]

This was an absolute joke!

[14 July 2019 20:11 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 20:12 · Kieran Jackson]

You're right, it is.

[14 July 2019 20:29 · Kieran Jackson]

Novak Djokovic, speaking in his post-match press conference:

"It was a huge relief in the end. These matches give value to everything you do. I promised myself to stay calm and composed.

"I knew the atmosphere, Roger was playing well."

"Mentally, the most demanding match I've ever been a part of. Different level, because of everything."

"It was one shot away from losing the match. He was serving extremely well throughout the match. It was kind of a flashback to the US Open, when I saved two match points too."

[14 July 2019 20:35 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic, continued:

He anticpates extremely well, so talented, he has the perfect game for this surface.

"I knew I had to use variety. I thought for most of the match I was on the back-foot actually.

"I tried to play the match in my mind before i go into court, and I don't think I could've imagined this scenario.

"For me, it's a constant battle within. It's how you internally accept situations. I tried to switch off from what was going on around us. I think I could've played better. But it was the mental stability that got me through those moments."

"It's hard to be not aware [of the crowd]. Crowd gets into it,

"At times, you try to ignore it. When the crowd is chanting 'Roger', i hear 'Novak'. It's similar, Roger, Novak!

[14 July 2019 20:55 · Kieran Jackson]

Of course!