Novak Djokovic Wins Third Wimbledon Final; Defeats Federer In BNP Paribas Rematch
The biggest tournament in Southern California is the BNP Paribas Open and it has seen several of the worlds best players achieve success in the desert.
Something very notable about the tournament is that the players who shine on the big stage in California also step up in the big events around the world.
The number one ranked player in the world, Novak Djokovic, defeated the legendary Roger Federer for the second straight year in the Men’s Championship at Wimbledon.
In a rematch of this years BNP Paribas Open Championship, Djokovic prevailed over Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
He’s the best returner in history.
– John McEnroe on Novak Djokovic
After an inspiring run by both players to reach the final, fans were treated to a phenomenal first few sets of tennis.
Federer gained a break in the first set to get an early lead however Djokovic evened the set out to force a tie-break.
Djokovic took control quickly to win the tie-break 7-1 and win the first set.
The second set was a treat for the fans as the two played an evenly matched game of phenomenal tennis.
Federer’s serve was on point as was the flexible, body-contorting defense of Djokovic.
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The two played a critical second set tie-break in which it appeared the “Djoker” was on the verge of putting Federer in a two-sets to love hole.
Djokovic had no less than six break chances to win the set however Federer put on a display reminiscent of his greatest career victories.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion treated fans to a show on par with some of the greatest performances he has put on at the All England Club.
The Swiss champion prevailed 12-10 in the tie-break that electrified the English crowd and left Djokovic seething in frustration.
The Serb shouted to himself in his chair between sets and frustratingly pulled at his shirt, seemingly prepared to rip it off in frustration.
As rain approached Centre Court, Djokovic recovered to get a break in the third set against Federer. With the score at 3-1, the two left the court as the play was suspended due to the rain.
Despite speculation of whether or not the roof would be closed, the rain passed quickly without incident and the players returned to the court without incident.
The break in play favored Djokovic when the match resumed as Federer was unable to mount the offense necessary to break serve. The Serbian was able to hold to win the set 6-4.
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The fourth set got off to a very quick start for Djokovic as he broke Federer early.
From there, play was dictated by the Serb’s ability to return serve.
The Swiss champion slowly lost the conviction in his shots.
At 5-3, Djokovic broke serve one final time to win his third Wimbledon in emphatic fashion.
After embracing Federer at the net and thanking the umpire, the champion returned to the middle of the court and ate a small bite of the Wimbledon grass for the third time.
After the match, Federer was gracious in defeat and congratulated Djokovic on the match.
When asked on his motivation of playing in another Wimbledon final he assured the assembled spectators that he was still hungry to continue playing and was excited to return to the tournament next year.
For Djokovic, this is now his second Grand Slam title of the year and an important one going into the hard court season where he has had his best success.
The victory also helps to erase his disappointing loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final of the French Open where he was denied the chance to complete the career Grand Slam.
At last years U.S. Open he was defeated in the semifinals by young upstart Kei Nishikori who had played a phenomenal tournament to reach his first final.
Despite the loss, Djokovic would go on to finish the year as the top ranked player and won the World Tour Finals (albeit due to a retirement from Federer.)
Despite his success at the other hard-court Grand Slam, Djokovic has only won the U.S. Open once in his career.
Bottom Line: Novak Djokovic Is Re-defining tennis greatness.
That was in 2011 when he had the best year of his career and defeated both Federer and Nadal en route the title.
Since then, he has been beaten three times: in the final in 2012 to Andy Murray and in the final the following year toRafael Nadal.
Last year he missed the final for the first time in several years to the aforementioned Nishikori.
Djokovic will enter the U.S. Open as the top seed when the tournament commences on August 31.