Novak Djokovic claimed his second Wimbledon title, after a scintillating five sets win over the seven-time champion, Roger Federer, in what proved to be one of the great finals. In a topsy-turvy match which could have gone either way, the Serb called upon all of his fighting spirit to edge the Swiss 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4.
The match was a high quality contest which saw Federer just edge the first set in a tiebreaker as his grass court skills were in full flow on the big points. A service winner got him to set point at 8-7 and then his formidable and constant presence at the net forced Djokovic into error.
Djokovic though got an early chance to break in the second set as Federer double-faulted to hand him break point. A signature backhand passing shot up the line sealed the break. Djokovic then held serve all the way to the business end of the set at 5-4when he served out to even the match at a set all, a smash, a shot he has struggled with at times, sealing the set.
The third set went with serve as both men kept their first serve percentages above 65 percent, winning over 70 percent of points behind that shot. Another tiebreak ensued and Djokovic’s greater consistency on his ground game prevailed as the Federer forehand errored too often while a huge forehand earned from Djokovic earned him set point which he won as after a long rally a Federer backhand slice down the line went wide.
In the fourth set, Djokovic seemed to have gotten his grip on the match as he got Federer on the run and forced an error to break for 3-1. The Serb then held serve to serve out for the match at 5-3.
But the Swiss was not going away and broke back with a forehand down the line winner.
Djokovic though was not disheartened at seeing his lead slip and worked his way to championship point on Federer's serve as he forced another error from the Federer backhand. But the Swiss saved it with an ace and went on to win the game and level at 5-5.
The fourth seed would go on to win the next two games to take the fourth set 7-5 and take the match into a fifth set.
The decider went with serve all the way to 4-5 when Federer served to stay in the match. At 15-30, Djokovic struck a huge forehand down the line to force an error and earned himself two more championship points. The best returner in the game then got a look at a second serve and went for broke, going for the Federer backhand and producing the error he wanted on his third strike to take his second Wimbledon title.
An emotional Djokovic then finally got his hands on a slam trophy, the one he said in his post-match interview meant the most to him, after coming up short in five of his last six finals. The Serbian star dedicated the trophy to his wife and future child and his family and team who had sacrificed so much for him to live his dream. A dream he well deserved after competing in a contest that was a dream to look for tennis fans the world over.