Novak Djokovic has successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a four-set triumph over grass-court king Roger Federer.
A 7-6(1) 6(10)-7 6-4 6-3 victory for the world number one makes him the first player to win back-to-back championships at SW19 since Federer in 2007.
It was the Swiss maestro who raced out of the blocks with a rapid hold to love in the opening game, and he drew the first significant blow when he broke Djokovic in game six.
But the Serbian responded in typically strong fashion to break back immediately, and, after saving a set point, eventually force a one-sided tie-break which he took by a score of 7-1 to win the first.
The second set also went the distance, but this time the breaker (12-10) was worthy of the stage as Federer, having previously saved one set point, rescued six more on his way to levelling the match.
Djokovic was visibly frustrated at having let the second set slip through his fingers, but was granted a short rain break to regain his composure, although the roof stayed off on centre court.
He returned fully focussed, breaking Federer in game three of the third. He then conceded only three points on serve during the remainder of the set to assert his dominance on the match and take a 2-1 lead.
And the top seed did not let up in the fourth set, taking games off the Federer serve twice on his way to sealing an impressive victory, a third Wimbledon championship and a ninth Grand Slam title.
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