[www.inewsguyana.com] – Novak Djokovic claimed a second Wimbledon title after coming out on top in an extraordinary battle of wills against seven-times winner Roger Federer, eventually triumphing 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4 in a gripping encounter yesterday.
The Serb, who has now won seven grand slam titles, denied Federer the opportunity to win a record eighth All England Club trophy but was pushed all the way by the Swiss who faced a match point in the fourth set before forcing a tense decider.
Djokovic eventually wrapped up the contest that will go down as one of the greatest Wimbledon finals, in three hours and 56 minutes, falling to the ground in celebration before climbing to the players’ box to greet his camp with an emotional embrace.
“I don’t know how I managed to do it,” said a teary Djokovic, who had lost his last three grand slam finals.
“This is the tournament I always dreamed of winning. This is the best tournament in the world, the most valuable one. The first tennis match I ever saw when I was five years old was Wimbledon and it’s stuck in my mind, so to be able to compete on such a high level I’m so grateful to have this opportunity and hold this trophy.”
The victory propels Djokovic back to number one in the world, while his seventh major title draws him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in joint eighth place on the all-time winners’ list.
For Federer it was a crushing defeat, yet he was magnanimous and even slightly disbelieving of his own resolve having forced a decider after looking down and out at 2-5 in the fourth set.
“It was a great final. I can’t believe I made it to five, it wasn’t looking good for a while,” he said having reached his ninth final.
“Going into a match with Novak, you know it’s going to be tough. I can only say congratulations to him. It was an amazing match and an amazing tournament. It’s well-deserved.”(Reuters)
