Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Roger Federer in an excellent Wimbledon final. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP
Novak Djokovic ended Roger Federer's hopes of a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title on Sunday as he edged out the Swiss with a 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 victory to claim the title for a second time. In a tense, enthralling battle that turned into an epic battle, the Serb held off a brilliant fightback from Federer to win his seventh grand slam title.
After losing the first set on the tiebreak, the match looked over when Djokovic led by two sets to one and 5-2 in the fourth set. But as the Serb got tight, Federer stormed back, saving a match point at 4-5 and then breaking again as he forced a decider. But Djokovic showed enormous mental resilience to bounce back, breaking in the 10th game, clinching victory when Federer netted a backhand after 3 hours, 56 minutes.
Federer, chasing that eighth Wimbledon title and a record-extending 18th grand slam crown, had the momentum after the fourth set but Djokovic showed typical determination to stay strong and snatch victory, ending a run of five defeats in his last six grand slam finals.
In their 35th meeting, Federer snatched the opening set on a tiebreak but Djokovic bounced back to level thanks to one break and then moved ahead, taking a second tiebreak. Djokovic led 5-2 in the fourth but Federer broke back for 5-4 and went on to win the set before the top seed broke again in the final set to move alongside the likes of John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in the all-time list of grand slam winners.
Having lost his last three grand slam finals, the victory was doubly sweet for Djokovic, who will regain the world No1 ranking when the new list is released on Monday.
Djokovic had chances to win the match in straight sets, having missed two set points in the opening tiebreak as Federer took it 9-7 to move ahead. A brilliant backhand pass gave Djokovic a break at 2-1 in the second and after saving a break point at 5-4, he held to level.
Federer tried to galvanise himself in the third set but after saving two break points at 5-5, he dipped slightly in the tiebreak and lost it 7-4.
The match looked over when Djokovic led 5-2 but Federer broke back, saved a match point at 4-5 and then broke again before serving out the fourth set.
Both players took a bathroom break before the start of the fifth set and Djokovic needed treatment for a tight right calf at 2-1. At 3-4, Federer saved three break points, one with an outrageous half-volley, but at 4-5, a few missed first serves let Djokovic in and when Federer netted a backhand, that was it.
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