By Erik Gudris | Sunday, July 6, 2014

 

Novak Djokovic overcame losing a fourth set lead to win his second Wimbledon title over Roger Federer in a standout five set final.

Photo Credit: AP

For Novak Djokovic, the wait is over.

After a series of runner-up finishes in his last few Grand Slam finals, Djokovic overcame Roger Federer in a five set classic to earn not only his second Wimbledon title but also the World No. 1 ranking.

Wimbledon - Rapid Reaction to Djokovic's Win

For his part, Federer almost pulled off a remarkable comeback win after trailing 2-5 down in the fourth set.

The question for both men as they entered Sunday's final was would who prevail in the key department for each player. Seven-time winner Federer dropped serve only once throughout the fortnight. Djokovic, despite having endured several up and down matches, remained tops in returning for all players. Djokovic broke his opponents 27 times leading into the final, the most of anyone.

The opening set proved early this Wimbledon final would be a high quality contest right from the start. While Federer began probing Djokovic with multiple forays up to the net, the top seed countered with targeted returns. With neither man facing a break point, a tiebreak soon ensued.

Though normally his go-to shot, Djokovic's backhand let him down several times in the breaker. That included at the start of the tiebreak when Djokovic hit two errors from that side handing Federer an early lead. Djokovic recovered and would hold a set point. Yet after Federer saved that, a netted backhand from Djokovic a few points later handed Federer the tense tiebreak 7-6(7).

Djokovic, who struggled with his movement and traction throughout the tournament, fell hard after slipping early in the second set. Despite being checked out by a trainer, the fall didn't impact Djokovic who went on to break Federer for the first time for 3-1. With Federer leaking a few more errors from his forehand side, it allowed Djokovic easier service holds.

After hitting an overhead winner, Djokovic celebrated winning the set 6-4 by punching the air.

With both men hitting few unforced errors in the third set, the high quality continued as each man had little trouble holding serve. At 4-all, Federer struck four aces in a row as he held for 5-4. Yet Federer's attempts at chipping and charging on Djokovic's next service game yielded nothing for the Swiss star as Djokovic easily held. Federer's increased use of serve and volley had served him well throughout the event, but was it becoming too predictable as they entered yet another tiebreak?

But it wasn't Federer's volleys that let him down. Instead his forehand once again misfired on several key points in the breaker. Djokovic would land a big forehand of his own to create a set point. He would convert after Federer sent a shot just wide during a rally.

Federer hit 83% first serves and committed only four unforced errors, but still lost the set 7-6(4).

The fourth set proved anything but predictable. That remained true even after Djokovic broke Federer again after he sent another forehand well long. Federer responded by sticking with his serve and volley forays and finding the range on his forehand. Federer soon had his first ever break of Djokovic's serve. The top seed showed his frustration by kicking his chair on the changeover.

Djokovic broke right back and, after coming up the better in several rallies in the next game, found himself a game away from the title at 5-2.

Federer didn't back down.

After an easy hold, Federer upped his aggression against Djokovic who served for the title at 5-3. Though Djokovic would hit his hardest second serve of the day giving him 30-all, Federer countered with a big crosscourt backhand thus giving him break point. Djokovic would slip again as Federer knocked off an easy winner for 5-4. With that, the Centre Court crowd roared with approval.

Djokovic, who perhaps felt more comfortable trying to break Federer in hopes of closing out the win soon held a match point. Federer erased that with an ace and would hold for 5-all. A reeling Djokovic fell behind 0-40 in his next service game. Though saving two break points, Djokovic sent a forehand long on the third giving Federer a 6-5.

Now full of momentum, Federer served out the next game 7-5. As the crowd continued chanting for Federer, the seemingly unlikely fifth set was now at hand.

With Djokovic having played five more hours total match time leading up to the final, some wondered if perhaps Federer would be the fresher player in the final set. After serving an ace to hold for 2-1, Djokovic called for the trainer again. This time, he took a medical time out to have cramps in his right calf treated.

As Federer served from behind in the final set, it brought to mind the 2009 final when Federer outlasted Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set in a match that proved a serving duel right until the last game. Despite at times looking weary, Djokovic would once again test Federer with probing, deep returns.

Both Djokovic and Federer fought off break points against them leading up to 4-all. Djokovic would hold serve for 5-4 and once again find himself a game away from victory. With a possible advantage set looming with no tiebreak in the final set, Djokovic made his move.

As Djokovic pounded deep returns, Federer's backhand would go awry when he shanked one leading to 0-30. Djokovic attacked Federer again who then committed a forehand error for 15-40. Now with two more match points, Djokovic made one final charge. That resulted in Federer netting one last backhand.

With that, a relieved and emotional Djokovic celebrated the 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4 victory giving him his second Wimbledon title and sending him back to No. 1.

Federer, who admitted later he was "unbelievably sad" about the loss, remained somewhat upbeat during his runner-up speech.