Men’s Singles Final: Djokovic v Federer

Djokovic, who is searching for Wimbledon title No. 3, said he will take plenty of confidence after overcoming Federer in the corresponding match previous year. “So definitely it was one of my best serving days of my career, for sure”.

The Swiss 33-year-old produced a masterful display, particularly on serve, to wow the Centre Court crowd and beat 2013 champion Andy Murray in straight sets in the semifinals, setting up a repeat of last year’s classic final, which went the way of Djokovic in five sets.

“Novak played not only great today but the whole two weeks, plus the whole year, plus last year, plus the year before that”, Federer said in an on-court interview after the trophy presentation.

“The match itself won’t be hard”, Murray said.

“To be honest, he clearly deserved to win the match”.

Federer’s 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 victory Friday, built by taking 70 of 91 points he served and breaking Murray in the last game of each set, moved him into his 10th Wimbledon final.

In the final set, Djokovic began to impose his will on a tired-looking Federer and erupted in jubilation after seizing victory. When the rain came two games later and a short delay followed, all emotion was gone – from the fans and from the players. He is now tied with American Pete Sampras at seven for most men’s singles titles at Wimbledon.

With the win, Federer is now 10-0 in Wimbledon semifinals. I’m just glad to reach another final.

“Doesnt matter whether its No. 8 or No. 1, ” Federer said, “Wimbledon finals is always a big occasion.”.

In Fridays semifinals, Murray got a taste of just how well the seemingly ageless Federer still can play — and, in particular, serve. One more win would make Federer the first man with eight titles here.

The Federer-Djokovic rivalry – despite their age difference (Djokovic is 28) – is among the greatest in all of sports. “It’s his court. He loves it”, said the Serb. The second-seeded Swiss served as well as he ever has, saving one break point in the opening game of the match and never facing another the rest of the way against one of the best returners in the game.

“It’s frustrating, obviously, when you’re out there because I couldn’t get a racket on a lot of the returns”, Murray said.

Djokovic, who would equal his coach Boris Becker’s three Wimbledon titles, trails Federer 19-20 in head-to-heads and knows playing him at Wimbledon is the ultimate challenge. At 2-all in the tiebreaker, Gasquet’s backhand sailed long, and he wouldn’t take another point in the set.

Federer broke to clinch each of the three sets, sensing Murray’s vulnerability under pressure and striking with venomous intent. He has yet to replicate that success at any major tournament, though – despite the fact he has advanced to at least the quarterfinal round in every Grand Slam tournament since his Wimbledon triumph.

“I always knew the reason why I was playing”.

Federer, arguably the greatest of all time, is in search of his eighth title at the All England Club.

“Sometimes when I come off court and haven’t played well, I will feel awful afterwards, you just feel you’ve let yourself down, your team and everyone who supports you as well”.

“It got really tough”.