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As it happenedended

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

Kieran Jackson
Wimbledon
Sunday 14 July 2019 14:50 EDT
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Wimbledon Championships in numbers

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

Djokovic holds to 30, and looks much more like his normal-self. Connects with his first serve, and looked solid from the baseline again.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:45

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 1-2 Federer

Federer holds to love, as he serves and volleys his way back in front. 

On serve in the third, 1hr35 mins played. When will the next twist come?

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:46

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:48

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 2-2 Federer*

Djokovic holds to 15, with a lengthy point at 30-15 eventually concluding with a slice long by Federer. Much more 'first-set-like' between these two in set no. 3.

Quick fact for you: Roger Federer has never beaten both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same Grand Slam.... he's only ever done it once, at the 2010 ATP Finals.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:51

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:53

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 2-3 Federer

Federer holds to 15 - his first serve % in this set is currently at 71%.

On serve in this pivotal third set.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:54

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 3-3 Federer*

Djokovic holds to 15 - couple of shanks by Federer, and a couple of winners, as Djokovic starts to hit the ball with a little more purpose. 

Shall we skip to a tiebreak?

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 15:58

*Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 3-4 Federer

Federer holds to love - Djokovic barely hitting a ball in that game. 

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:00

Djokovic 7-6(5) 1-6 4-4 Federer*

Djokovic holds to 15, and is playing much more aggressively and on the front foot now.

Yeah, yeah let's skip to a tiebreak I reckon...

*cue immediate break of serve.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:03

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

Now then? A couple of errors by Federer mid-rally, as his first serve goes walkabout on the deuce side.

On the ad side though, no problem. 30-30.

Kieran Jackson14 July 2019 16:05

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