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 15:09 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) Federer

DJOKOVIC WINS THE FIRST SET!

Federer shanks a backhand wide, and four points in a row for Djokovic has given the number one seed the first set!

Ultimately, one too many poorly timed groundstrokes by Federer, and it came to bite him hard in the final moments of that set.

Huge moment in the match!

[14 July 2019 15:11 · Kieran Jackson]

One set up, after 1 hour of engrossing tennis.

[14 July 2019 15:11 · Kieran Jackson]

[14 July 2019 15:14 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 0-0 Federer (15-40)

TWO BREAK POINTS FOR FEDERER, straight away, as Djokovic starts the second set sloppily!

[14 July 2019 15:14 · Kieran Jackson]

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

FEDERER BREAKS!

Djokovic goes wide, and we have our first break of the match!

Just the start Federer needed to this second set!

[14 July 2019 15:15 · Kieran Jackson]

A set down, but a break up.

[14 July 2019 15:17 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 0-2 Federer

Composed from Federer at 30-30 to rush into the net and hit a backhand volley winner!

And a forehand sliced wide by Djokovic means the 20-time major winner opens up a two-game lead in this second set!

[14 July 2019 15:19 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 0-2 Federer (0-40)

Blimey. Horrendous start to this set for Djokovic... the Serb nets a volley and it's THREE BREAK POINTS for a double break lead!

[14 July 2019 15:19 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 0-2 Federer (15-40)

Djokovic saves the first set - a winner from the back of the court.

Two more to fend off!

[14 July 2019 15:21 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 7-6(5) 0-3 Federer*

FEDERER BREAKS!

And with a sweetly struck inside-out forehand, Federer breaks again!

A double break lead now for the eight-time champion. A nightmare opening to this set for Djokovic.