Djokovic gets the better of Federer again, wins third Wimbledon title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy next to Roger Federer of Switzerland following his victory in the Gentlemen's Singles final at the Wimbledon. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer for a second year running to retain his Wimbledon title.

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The top seeded Serb won 7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3 to win his third title at the All England Club, his ninth major title overall.

Federer's quest for an unprecedented eighth Wimbledon title came to a nought, against a resolute Djokovic, who in the process leveled his career head-to-head against the Swiss to 20 wins apiece.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the Wimbledon final against Roger Federer of Switzerland. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Djokovic joins his coach Boris Becker, and JohnMcEnroe, as the three players to have won three Wimbledon titles.

The Serbian world number one also became the first man since 2007 (Federer) to retain the Wimbledon men's title.

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Men's Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Wimbledon. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Federer, chasing a record eighth Wimbledon title, landed the first punch in the set, breaking the Djokovic serve to love for a 4-2 lead when the world number one netted a straightforward mid-court backhand.

But the second-seeded Swiss's serve, which had been functioning with laser precision throughout the tournament, then faltered allowing Djokovic to break back immediately.

Both players stayed strong to force the tiebreak where Serb Djokovic raced into a 6-1 lead and closed it out when Federer served his first double fault of the match.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia after slipping during his Men's Singles Final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Wimbledon. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

The more Federer tried to get on to the front foot the more Djokovic returned the ball with interest, preventing the Swiss playing the attacking game that had caused Britain's Andy Murray headaches in their semi-final.

Federer had two break points in the fifth game of the second set, but the top seed's ability to produce big serves on crucial points kept the Swiss at bay.

Federer's unforced error count continued to mount and another double fault in the 10th game gave Djokovic the first of a series of set points.

The rest came in a tense tiebreak in which Federer hung on bravely before Djokovic wafted a forehand into the net to give the Swiss set point at 11-10 on his own serve and he wrapped it up with a volley.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces Roger Federer of Switzerland after winning their men's singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

One break was enough to hand the Serb the third set, and another crucial break, in the fifth game of the fourth set, made the defense of his title considerably easier.

The Serbian world number one got over the disappointment of squandering seven set points in a gripping second set to wreck Federer's dreams of a record eighth Wimbledon trophy and 18th grand slam title.

Instead the plaudits belonged to Djokovic as he displayed his determination to win a ninth major by stretching and sliding after the ball to all corners of the court to douse second-seeded Federer's firepower.

A forehand crosscourt winner after two hours and 56 minutes handed Djokovic victory and drew him level on three Wimbledon titles with his coach Becker.

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