By Chris Oddo | Sunday, July 6, 2014
Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer in an epic wimbledon final, 6-7(7) 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4. Get our rapid reaction here.
Photo Source: Matthew Stockman/ Getty
Rapid Reaction: Novak Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in the 2014 Wimbledon Final, 6-7(7) 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4. It is Djokovic's 7th Grand Slam title and second at Wimbledon.
Relive all the glory of this sparkling final in our rapid reaction here:
Set 1: Djokovic to serve
A deuce game for Federer in his opening game but he holds for 1-1. As you can see from the graphic below, Federer has served well all tournament long.
No Murray, No problem say the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Some good old-fashioned grass-court tennis. …
A view from inside the bowels of tennis mecca. It’s 4-3 Djokovic, and the Serb seems to have a bit more control of the court and play than Roger does, but still nothing between them.
Raise your hand if you never thought Federer would play another Slam final. Well, the old codger, affectionately known as Roger the dodger, could become the oldest man to win the Wimbledon title today. It’s 4-all set one, after Federer survives another deuce game.
Lots of big big stars in the house at Centre Court today. (Meanwhile Djokovic holds for a 5-4 lead after falling behind 15-30).
When you watch a replay of this match, be sure you get extra focused on the tenth game of the first set. Was brilliant stuff from both—great rallies. Fed holds for 5-all.
Djokovic has an ace overruled, and elects not to challenge. Spot Shot shows the serve was good. Federer wins the next point for deuce but Djokovic wins the next two to hold. 6-5 Djokovic with Federer now serving to stay in the set.
Federer squanders a 3-0 and 4-2 lead in the tiebreaker, saves two set points, finally takes it 9-7. Something everybody can agree on: What a great opening set!
What do the numbers tell us????
Set Two:
The first break point of the match goes to Djokovic, but he can’t capitalize. It’s 1-1 after a few games. Oh, and Nole took a fall (surprised???)
Djokovic engineers the first break of the match as he plasters a backhand past a net-rushing Federer. 2-1 Djokovic in set two.
At least for the meantime, Djokovic’s prayers are being answered. He leads 3-2 and has not been broken yet. And the ankle appears to be okay after his tumble…
A certain Canadian is making her fandom known to the world... Meanwhile Djokovic has his nose in front still—serving with a 4-3 lead…
The people think it’s a great match, but the royalty? Meh, they say....Federer holds for 5-4, but he has yet to secure a break point and he seems to be less involved in Djokovic’s service games than he was in the first set.
Djokovic gifted Federer a break point by missing a sitter forehand, but the Serb comes good, winning the next three points to successfully serve out the set. We are level at one set apiece.
Stats after two sets:
Set Three:
Andrea Petkovic, enjoying the match—and the celebrities—on television.
Only the second Grand Slam final for these two rivals, but they’ve met plenty of times at majors. On serve in the third set—no break points—at 3-all.
Mirka Federer, mother of four, getting involved in the action…
A four-ace game for Federer, and he holds for 5-4. Looking like a third-set tiebreaker is imminent, but a ways to go… (the hold took :56)
The Wimbledon scorekeepers are notoriously generous, but still, this indicates that the tennis is pretty darn crisp.
This is the kind of stuff it takes to beat Roger Federer on grass.
Federer serves more aces to weather a big storm in the 11th game of the set. Saves two break points and seals it with an ace.
After a bit of a kerfuffle during the third-set breaker, in which chair umpire James Keothavong gives Roger a point on an overrule (Fed challenged an out call, ball was in, but instead of ordering point replayed, it was awarded to Federer), Djokovic stays calm to take three of the next four points off of Federer. He grabs the breaker and a two sets to one lead.
Stats after three sets:
Set Four:
Federer wins three straight points after falling behind 0-40, but Djokovic breaks for 3-1 on his next opportunity. This is his reaction:
Moments later Federer sends the crowd into a frenzy as he breaks back with a dazzling crosscourt forehand winner. It’s 3-2 and back on serve in set four. Pro-Roger factions in the Centre Court crowd are pretty boisterous at the moment.
A third straight break puts Djokovic back in the driver’s seat. He leads 4-2 now. Getting close to the finish line…
After one break in the first three sets, we have our fourth in the fourth set. Federer plays a scintillating game to stay alive. He’ll serve at 4-5 now. Emotions at a fever pitch.
Federer saves a Championship point with an ace that required a challenge (was just barely in), and ends up holding for 5-all. Tension so thick you can pick it up with chopsticks. And immediately in the 11th game Djokovic is in a 0-40 hole…
Federer gets the break on his third break point, thanks to a laser forehand that Djokovic returns long. Wow.
The maestro holds to 15, taking the fourth set 7-5. It feels fitting that this one is going five.
Stats after four sets:
Set Five:
Djokovic needs some medical work, after holding for a 2-1 lead.
Federer, seeking to become the first man to win Wimbledon after saving a match point in the final since 1948, saves three break points to hold and stay alive. Incredibly clutch stuff.
Finally, Djokovic, who has been incredible all day, breaks for the Wimbledon title. He had to weather every bit of goodness from Federer, and he was so resilient in winning his seventh Grand Slam title.