TENNIS WIMBLEDON FINAL – Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title be beating 7 time champion Roger Federer. The Serb won a closely contested match in 5 sets. After this win Nole will return on top of the rankings. Read the match updates by Lucia Hoffman for Inside Tennis from Wimbledon
Results, Order of Play, Draws and Interviews from The Championships
First Set
It was a well disputed tiebreaker which Roger Federer won 9-7.
The first time they met, in the semis, Roger won. Federer is bidding for his 8th title at Wimbledon today and to tie the record with Nadal’ s 8th Roland Garros titles.
Finally, the two last men standing at the end of this magical two weeks at the AELTC, are battling for the title, the prize, the glory.
The first set was very well played by both players, who are fighting for every point with a Swiss precision and a Serbian type of focus.Serving at 4-5 , 40/40, Roger was able to sustain a very long rally and eventually won the point for Ad, closing the game with a powerful serve.
The high quality of playing by both player: solid strokes, great movement and strong serves , leads to a first set tie-breaker. Roger finds himself serving at 4-5, and plays a great point. The crowd was holding its breath as Roger approaches the net and but Djokovic hits a lob over his head which lands outside the baseline.
Roger often mentions the importance of making the first serves. At 5-5. he hits a great serve, but after Novak makes a great low return, Roger misses the ball at the net. Novak looking confident, serves at 6-5, but Roger stays in the point forcing Novak to miss.
At 6-6, Novak plays a solid point, and the pressure is back on Roger. Serving at 6-7, he hits an ace for 7-7. Finally, Roger sets his first set point with a very powerful serve, forcing an error from Novak. Set point for Roger, and he converts after Novak misses at the net.
Second Set
Novak Djokovic wins the second set after having a break, early on the second set.
The match has been very physical and Roger doesn’t seem as sharp as in the first, which he won, 9-7, in the tie-breaker.
Novak finds himself serving at 3-2 ; 15/15. A break is always reassuring against a player like Roger who already have a set on his pocket. He holds for 4-2 playing solid tennis. Novak, has been in many finals, some he won and some he lost, but today, he said he was looking forward to this encounter.
Roger serves with authority,powerful serves at 4-2. But soon finds himself at 30-30 due to Novak’s superb defence skills. Novak seems more composed and focused on this second set. But, Roger holds for 3-4. Often top players says, that it’s very important to stay close in the score board. Nadal often says that one break is like having no break, because it’s very easy to lose this lead.
Novak takes his time on the first point serving at 4-3. Roger seems a little uncomfortable with sudden changes of pace by Novak, and makes mistakes. Novak loses the point for 15/30 as the ball lies down on the used up grass patches, and he loses his balance. Interesting, Roger is one of the few players who didn’t fall on the court during this championships. Would he be the last man standing?
At the moment serving at 3-5, things don’t seem to be going Roger’s way, as Novak continues to punish and drag him into long rallies. However, Roger prevails and holds for 4-5.
Wild forehand miss by Novak serving for the set, at 5-4, and Roger has a chance to get the break back. But Roger’s hope to stay in this set doesn’t last long, as Novak hits an ace, wins the next point, and wins the set with an overhead on the open court.
And here we go to the third set, one set each. What’s breaking first: Roger’s fitness or Nole’s mental state?
Third Set
The scores were close, 7-6 for Novak in the third set. However, Roger showing signs of fatigue, perhaps?
Serving at 5-5, 40-30, Roger thought he had the game but call was over ruled and Novak got the point. A few deuces later, and some amazing serves to the rescue, Roger holds for 6-5. A happy crowd applauded loudly,
Novak held for 6-6, displaying great hands at the net, solid strokes and powerful serves.
The tie breaker will decide this well disputed third set. At 2-2 Roger comes in and Novak hits a backhand, passing shot down the line which hits the net and falls in. So first break point for Novak, 3-2.
Novak serves at 4-2 and Roger hits a forehand that is called out. He challenged, and thanks to Hawkeye, it shows the ball was in, The crowd is please by the mechanic call. Should that point have been replayed? Umpire doesn’t think so as Novak didn’t have a play on it.
Roger loses the nest point but manages to hold for 4-5. A cross court forehand gives Novak set point at 6-4. And finally, after a very careful rally by both players, Roger, eventually misses the slice back hand wide and Novak goes up 2 sets to one in this finals.
Novak is looking strong as the match progresses.
Lucia Hoffman for Inside Tennis
