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 14:50 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 4-5 Federer (40-40)

Wait what? A double fault...

Deuce.

[14 July 2019 14:51 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 4-5 Federer (ad Djokovic)

Federer goes wide with an angled backhand... just. Think it was slightly mis-hit too.

[14 July 2019 14:52 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer*

Djokovic holds!

Federer shanks another crosscourt wide, this time on the forehand. 

Again, Djokovic survives a tricky scoreline on his own serve.

[14 July 2019 14:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer* (15-30)

Djokovic reads the drop shot this time, and is there to pass on the backhand side.

The Serb now two points from a break of his own.

[14 July 2019 14:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer* (30-30)

Majestic backhand down the line from Federer, off a deep slice!

[14 July 2019 14:55 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer* (40-30)

This time, a majestic forehand down the line, on the half-volley. 

Nerveless.

[14 July 2019 14:56 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer* (40-40)

Whoops... did I say nerveless?

Federer double-faults, for the first time in the match.

[14 July 2019 14:56 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-5 Federer* (ad Federer)

Woah the Swiss flirting with the lines, but his boldness pays off as a forehand inside-in clips the chalk!

[14 July 2019 14:57 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 5-6 Federer

Federer holds!

Djokovic goes long with a backhand pass, and Federer has guaranteed himself a tiebreak.

11 games, 11 holds. A 12th, and we'll be into a breaker...

[14 July 2019 14:58 · Kieran Jackson]

Putting on a show.