TheCable

Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in Wimbledon finals to win his ninth Grand Slam title.

Djokovic has had to play his finals against great players on the road.

Federer, one of the most beloved figures in sports, who will turn 34 next month, hit many a high note on his way to the final and in an extraordinary second-set tiebreaker on Sunday in which he saved six set points to level the match.

But Djokovic won 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (10-12) 6-4 6-3 to overtake the likes of Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl in the all-time list of major winners.

Federer, 33, had hoped to become the first man to win Wimbledon eight times.

The Swiss won a thrilling second set tie-break but Djokovic came through to win in two hours and 56 minutes.

“I have to say it’s a big challenge playing against Roger,” he said. “A lot of players of my generation have looked up to him and followed his lead.

Andy Roddick, three-time Wimbledon finalist

“Honesty was Novak Djokovic’s best friend. Being able to look inward after losing the French Open and acknowledge the situation, and then come here and he played his best match of the tournament today. Roger Federer is the man. On this day, Novak was the man. It is a pleasure to watch these two greats go toe-to-toe.

“He makes you push your limits, work hard and win every single point.”

Federer said: “I had my chances in the first set. I got lucky to win the second, had chances in the third.

“But he was better on the bigger points. He was rock solid, I didn’t play badly myself. That’s how it goes.”

Djokovic adds a third victory at the All England Club to one US Open and five Australian Open titles, and the Serb has now won 48 matches and lost just three in 2015.