Wimbledon 2014 men`s final: Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer - As it happened...

Zee Media Bureau/Jayanta Oinam

Welcome to our live coverage of Wimbledon 2014 men's final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer being played at All England Club, Wimbledon. ==================================================================================== Djokovic wins the match in five sets. Match Report» Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 6 - 4) Roger Federer served, won by Novak Djokovic As the match crossed three and half hour mark, both the players sought their best weapons. Serving to stay in the match, Roger started on wrong-foot with the first point going to his rival. Soon, Djokovic converted it to Love-30. Federer fought back with a point to make it 15-30. Federer sent a forehand long to give the Serbian the match point, which was duly converted into the Championship winning point as he forced Roger to play into the net. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 5 - 4) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic A timely Ace helped Djokovic at 15-15. In the following point, Federer got a chance to lead from an approach play, but his overhead shot on the forecourt crashed into the net. A strong service from Djokovic forced Federer to send his return long. And game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 4 - 4) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer The game started with a long rally, with Federer sending the final ball long over the baseline. He then produced a scintillating back-hand cross court winner. But Djokovic forced the maestro into making errors, and a deuce. Federer responded with a forehand cross-court winner. A forced error then allowed Djokovic a sight at break. But Federer got his sanity back for another deuce. After a round of deuce, Federer held the serve with Djokovic sending his intended forehand winner off the target. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 4 - 3) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Desperate times, desperate measures. Djokovic, struggling to keep feet together, produced a wide serve. An Ace. Then allowed Federer to win the next point. Djokovic, then, won the next point with an excellent back-handed passing shot for 30-15 lead. In the following serve, Federer out-foxed Djokovic with a delicate drop-shot. Djokovic played his shot into the net to give a break point to Federer. Then, Federer sent his shot into the net. From an Advantage, Djokovic sent a long ball following an engaging rally for a deuce. He regained the Advantage with a wide drop, which Federer failed to return. Djokovic wrapped up the game with a great serve. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 3 - 3) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer started with 15-love. Then played smart to win the next point with a drop shot. He followed it up with an Ace for 40-love. Another Ace made it game to love. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 3 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic From a love-15 down, Djokovic wrested back to a 40-15 lead with a drop volley with as a tired looking Federer allowed the ball die down. An Ace completed the job for Djokovic. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 2 - 2) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer In the final set, Federer resumed with yet another superb service game. Nice quick game to make it 2-2. Djokovic took a medical time-out to attend to his calf muscles. In between, stats so far: Federer as produced an awe-inspiring 28 Aces to Djokovic's 10. But the Swiss maestro has five double faults to his credit as against two for the Serbian. Besides, Federer has 68 winners to Nole's 61. Close call. Even the unforced-errors are tantalisingly close with Federer on 24, while Djokovic has 22. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 2 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic hold his service game with some trouble as Federer continue to play precision shots from both sides of the racquet. However, the Serbian just did enough to hang on and won the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7- 6, 5 - 7, 1 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Another great service game from Roger as he hold the game on love with an ace. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 7, 1 - 0) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic A relatively easy hold for the Serbian. He started with an Ace, followed it up with few kick-up serves, forcing Federer to play cautious, and thereby giving himself ample opportunities to finish the job. ==================================================================================== Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7- 6, 5 - 7) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer, serving for the match, conceded the first point. Then a good rally produced an unforced-error for Djokovic, which crashed into the net, making it 15-15. An Ace and a winner made it 40-15. For the set, Federer played safe forcing Djokovic to commit an unforced error, which went long on return. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 6) Novak Djokovic served, won by Roger Federer Djokovic missed the plot and committed a double fault to give Federer a love-30 lead. Federer worked well to extend the lead to a love-40. Then, Djokovic won two back-to-back points to make it 30-40, until he played it long. Break of service. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7- 6, 5 - 5) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer On serve, and Djokovic won the first point with a forehand passing shot winner. Federer won the next point thanks to a long ball from Djokovic after few rallies. Federer won another point with a forehand winner. But a double fault made it 30-30. Then, a crash into the net, from a Federer back-hand gave Djokovic the break and a match point. Federer then challenged a out call on his serve, which returned with an Ace. Followed it an Ace. Then a bad play from the server. Another good serve, on counter then a forehand winner. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 4) Novak Djokovic served, won by Roger Federer Good intent from the Swiss, started with two points off Djokovic's service. Novak returned to win the third point, then forced an error on return to Federer to make 30-30. Then, Federer produced a beautiful play forcing Djokovic to a long shot for a break. He followed it up with a controlled forehand winner as Djokovic slipped in pursuit. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 5 - 3) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer returned to give a fighting chance with a good service game. In the next game, he will need a break to stay in the match, and hope for the eighth. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7- 6, 5 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Strong start from the Serbian with a force error to Federer. The Swiss, in the following points, tried his best for a fight-back. But the Serbian prevailed to consolidate the break. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7- 6, 4 - 2) Roger Federer served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic back in lead. Three back-to-back breaks as Federer, after leading 30-love gave away the game with some bad play. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 3 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Roger Federer Great play from Roger. Broke back to stay alive in the match. Djokovic allowed him to raced away to a love to 30, then the server returned strong for a 15-30. Then, Federer wrapped up with a forehand cross-court winner and a smash in the centre. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 3 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Novak Djokovic Sensing the situation, Djokovic pressed hard for a break. At one point, the Serbian was up Love-40. But two approach shots from the Swiss helped reduce the gap to 30-40. Then, another cross-cross swing with a hint of spin forced Djokovic to miss the sideline from a forehand down the line shot. That means 40-40. Djokovic played a fearless drop-shot approaching the net for the Advantage. Then, he broke Federer, forcing an error, which went long. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 2 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Another superb service game from the Serbian. It looked like the Swiss maestro is already tired and no energy left even to return the serves. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 1 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer responded strongly with a comfortable hold of service, to 15. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6, 1 - 0) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Perfect way to consolidate the tie-breaker win in the previous set. Djokovic sent down two Aces to win the first game of the fourth set to love. ==================================================================================== Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 7 - 6) Third set tie-break: Djokovic finally won the third set 7-4. Third set tie-break: Lucky point for Federer as his challenge on a long call returned success with the ball touching the baseline by a hairline. 4-3. Third set tie-break: Backhand winner from Djokovic. He lead 4-2. Third set tie-break: Unforced error from Federer. Djokovic lead 3-2. Third set tie-break: Federer forced an error, won the point as Djokovic missed the target. 2-2. Third set tie-break: Another huge serve from the Serbian. 2-1. Third set tie-break: A kicking serve from the Serbian. 1-1. Third set tie-break: Federer won the first point, an Ace. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 6 - 6) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Roger, with a new racquet, chased hard to win the first point off Djokovic's serve. But the Serbian made it look simple with a down the line winner on approach play. The Nole, then, won the next two points with relative ease for a 40-love lead. Federer won the next point, but failed to keep his shot in check off a Djokovic back-hand top-spin, which went outside the court. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 5 - 6) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Roger started with another Ace, five on the trot. Then followed it up with a big serve, which allowed him to play it wide from the return with Djokovic giving up on the third play. Federer won another point. An Ace seemed to get the job done but on challenge from the reliever, Federer was forced to serve again. From nowhere, Djokovic won a break point. Another Ace saved the break-point. But an unforced error gifted another break point to the Serbian. Federer followed it up with a body serve, which, on return missed the baseline by a couple inches. On the third duece, Federer produced back-to-back Aces to win the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 5 - 5) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic, serving to stay in the set, won the first point thanks to a Federer hassle on an approach shot which missed the baseline. The Serbian then produced two passing shots of superb qualities after conceding a point. He wrapped up the game with a body serve, with the return going long. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 4 - 5) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Anothe superb service game from the Swiss maestro. Four Aces on the trot for the game. Awesome serving. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 4 - 4) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic started with a forehand cross-court winner, then raced to 40-love. He has already recorded 15 forehand winners. A fast serve on the T completed the job as Federer failed to make a return. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6- 4, 3 - 4) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Djokovic, down love-40, produced a forehand passing shot. One of the best shots of the day. But, having already raced to 40-15, Roger wrapped up the game with back-hand volley winner. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 3 - 3) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic A little confusion prevailed during the second point play. The chair umpire forced a replay, correcting an out call. Djokovic regained his confidence with two back-to back points off good serves and led 30-15. Then, an unforced error made it 30-30, before making it 40-30 for the server. Another good service helped Djokovic hold his service. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 2 - 3) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Another superb service game from the World Number 4. Federer won the game on love. He started with an Ace and completed with another Ace. In between, he produced a volley winner too. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 2 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic, with his first serve average of more than 60%, continue to serve well. This time won the game after conceding the first point to Federer, who played an exquisite back-hand volley. Then, the Serbian produced his huge serves winning the remainder of the points. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 1 - 2) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Another great service game from the Swiss maestro. Won it on love. Started with a good service in the middle, then in the ensuing rally, Djokovic missed his forehand cross-court shot. Another good service meant the Serbian failing the return. Then an Ace followed. Federer wrapped up the game forcing Djokovic to play a forehand shot wide of the court. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 1 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Service hold for Djokovic. Won the game with relative ease, conceding only one point. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4, 0 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer took a break after conceding the second set and won the first game of the third set. Thanks to two big serves, including the Ace for the second point, he got a lead of 40-love, then Djokovic won the fouth point with as Roger put his forehand cross-court wide. Then it looked vulnerable for Federer on 40-30 as Djokovic forced the server to an unforce-error. But Federer produced one of the those big serves to win the game as Djokovic's return miss the court. ==================================================================================== Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 6 - 4) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic, serving for the set, started with a slice serve on 15-0. Then Federer won the next point with a back-hand shot which forced Djokovic to commit an unforced error for 15-15. But after a couple of points, Federer got a break point, which was saved by Djokovic with forehand winner. An Ace followed to give the Serbian Advantage. Another forehand winner helped Djokovic win the set. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 5 - 4) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer won his service game on love. Started with an Ace, then forced Djokovic to an unforced error. On 30-0, Federer produced two big serves, including the second Ace which helped won the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 5 - 3) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Easy hold for Djokovic as he continues to keep the pressure on his rival. Won the game Federer played some bad shots. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 4 - 3) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer A timely Ace helped Roger win the game without much ado. Djokovic won the first point of the game as Federer crashed his backhand slice into the net. With a volley winner, Federer made it 15-15. Then a big served helped the lead increase to 30-15. But with a cross-court winner, Djokovic made it 30-30. But Federer produced two big serves, including that Ace to win the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 4 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Easy hold for Djokovic. Roger won the first point of the game as Djokovic failed to control his shot, which missed the line. Then the Serbian won four points on the trot, in quick time, to make it 4-2 in the second set. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 3-2) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer hold his game after a very long previous game. He started with a forehand winner down the line. Followed it up with similar winner. Then he wrested the game with two big serves. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 3 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Roger Federer did try to break back. But Djokovic just about survived the pressure to win the game after three duece. During the play, Federer produced some of his vintage shot-making abilities to force Djokovic to dig deep. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 2 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Novak Djokovic First break of service as Djokovic won the third game of the second set. The game witnessed Federer committing few unforced errors as the Serbian applied pressure from the start. Despite producing an Ace to make it 30-30, Federer allowed the break as he failed to keep the intensity. Djokovic won the game, forcing Federer to over-hit a back-hand return. Federer hold his serve as Djokovic looked uncomfortable making sh Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 1 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Great service game! Easy hold for Djokovic as his varying served consumed Federer's returns for a game to 15 win. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7, 0 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer After winning the first set, Federer started the second set on a confident note, winning two points. But Djokovic soon fought back to earned a break point with three points on the trot. A serve on the body forced the return from Djokovic long for a deuce. Then Djokovic played a great passing shot on the run for the second break-point. In the following point, they played an exciting rally, but Djokovic's shot caught the tap and missed the court to give Federer a life-line. After a prolonged rally, Djokovic tripped on the dirt, to give Federer the Advantage on his serve. Then, Djokovic won the next point for the third deuce. Finally, Federer broke the shackles advancing for a winner down the line after serving a good serve. ==================================================================================== Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 7) First set tie-breaker: Federer won 9-7 as Djokovic sent his shot into the net after a short rally off the Serbian's serve. First set tie-breaker: Federer won two points on his serve to lead 8-7. First set tie-breaker: The Swiss legend fought back off Djokovic serve with a down the line forehand shot, which forced Djokovic to play an uncontrolled return. 6-6. First set tie-breaker: Federer, on serve, won a fighting point to rally back in the match. In the following point, Djokovic forced Roger an unforced error, which crashed into the net. 6-5 in favour of Djokovic. First set tie-breaker: On Roger serve, a high-quality rally ensued forcing ther server to attempt a back-hand slice shot, but missed the line for 4-3. Then, Djokovic soon gained the upper hand with two great serves for a 5-4 lead. First set tie-breaker: Roger started with the first point on serve, then lead 3-1. Then on 4-2, changed the sides. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 6) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Two great serves to start the game. Then Djokovic won his first point with forehand passing shot, which Federer failed to reach to. Roger, showing his class, won the next point with a tap-call. A drop shot from the baseline. Then, Djokovic crashed his shot into the net after a couple of rallies to force set into the tie-breaker. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (6 - 5) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Djokovic, for the first time todaym looked vulnerable on his serve. Sprayed couple of long shots wide and long of the target. But somehow managed to hold the game with booming serves, lined on the T. For Federer, a lucky caught on the line from a forehand cross-court shot forced a duece. But Djokovic won the game with two good serves. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (5 - 5) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Roger conceded the first point, but returned strong with a kicking serve, which was played long by the reciever. Then a smart play from the Serbian meant the server trailing 15-30. In the following point, the Serbian failed to measure Federer's deep slice. Same thing happened again in the following point. Then Roger committed himself to an approach shot, which missed the line from a forehand shot. But in the next point, he made Djokovic to run a bit extra, before wrapping up the game with a good service. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (5 - 4) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Both the legends played the WHO-BLINK-FIRST Game, which lasted 21 strokes. But Djokovic won the first point of the game as Roger tried to curbed the heavy-spin with a short drop. After that longish rally, the game returned to it's aveerage play, big serves winning the points and the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (4 - 4) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Serve and volley at it's vintage show as Federer won a couple of points from it. But his overall game seemed to take the backburner after Djokovic forced him to run a bit. Then, after a duece, Roger produced one of those big serves to win the game as if nothing has happened to his game. Great stuff. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (4 - 3) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Easy service game from the Serbian. Started the game with an Ace, then consolidated with a forehand winner after a couple of rallies. But Roger won a point as the Djokovic's shot went long. Then a body served forced Roger to dumped his return into the net. Game Djoker. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (3 - 3) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer There is an air of uncertainty in Roger's approach game today. In the game, Djokovic produced two forehand passing shots which seemed to effect the outlook of Federer's game. But the Swiss maestro soon invoked his big serves to win the game. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (3 - 2) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Awesome service game as the World Number two continued to produce big serves, including the first Ace of the match. He won the game on love. There was nothing Federer could do against the Serbian. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (2 - 2) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Federer hold his service to make it even after four games. Yet another good service game on display as the Swiss great played serve and volley to good effect. Djokovic did try to break the approaching opponent by playing cross court shots, but his attempts failed to land inside the court. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (2 - 1) Novak Djokovic served, won by Novak Djokovic Good service game by Djokovic. He started the game with challenging a service call, which went wrong. But as a true champion, he won the game on Love, thanks to some big serves. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (1 - 1) Roger Federer served, won by Roger Federer Roger Federer faced some difficulty holding the serve as Djokovic produced a couple of delectable cross court passes. But the Swiss utilised his big serves to good effect to win the game after a duece. Novak Djokovic - Roger Federer (1 - 0) Novak Djokovic served, won by Djokovic After a fault serve, Djokovic won the first two points as Federer committed two onforced errors, one netting from a backhand shot, another a long ball from the baseline. But the Swiss showed his true class with a drop shot, which caught the server standing. Then, the Serbian produced good tennis to win the two points to hold the serb. ==================================================================================== After the toss, both the players possed for the customary photo-shot. Djokovic leads Federer as the gathering at SW19 welcomes the two living legends of tennis. Both the players, guarded by the stewards, have crossed the famous aisle and are ready to come out. As the build-up to the Big W final between two most of greatest players, there is one peculiar fact: this is the first Major final, since the 2009 US Open, not to feature Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray. The big question ahead of the gentlemen`s singles final is – can he do it again. Suddenly, he is back on the focus. At the ripe age of 32 years, Roger Federer is bidding to become the only man to win the title in the hallow turf of All England Club eight times. If the Swiss maestro managed to do so, he will join Rafael Nadal to win eight of any Grand Slam event. The Spaniard has his clay court love-affair at saved at Roland Garros couple of months back. For Novak Djokovic, this will be his third final and a win today will put an end to a possible record-equalling fourth successive Grand Slam final loss in the Open era. Besides, a seventh Grand Slam title will help the Serbian wrests back the Number One ranking from Nadal. Head-to-head, Federer leads 18-16, but in the last 15 meetings, Djokovic has won 10. So the Serb will start as the favourite.