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Djokovic Wins 3rd Wimbledon Title

World’s top ranked player wins second major title this season
Novak Djokovic

CBS SPORTS (KFSM) – For the second straight year, Novak Djokovic barely held the edge over Roger Federer. And, for the second straight year Djokovic hoisted the trophy on Centre Court.

On Sunday, No. 1 Djokovic became only just the eighth man in the Open Era to successfully defend his Wimbledon title, beating No. 2 Federer in four sets, 7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3. The win was Djokovic’s third Wimbledon title, his second Grand Slam title of the year, and the ninth of his career, and it prevented Federer from winning his eighth Wimbledon title.

“Novak was tougher on the bigger points and at the end he was rock solid. That’s how it goes,” Federer said in the post-match awards ceremony.

Despite dropping only one set against Federer, Djokovic nearly found himself in an early hole. But when Federer appeared to be poised to capture the opening set after breaking Djokovic to go up 4-2, Djokovic swept away the notion. He broke Federer right back in the seventh game and then held to knot the score.

“It’s probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever had, playing Roger on Centre Court here at Wimbledon,” Djokovic said.

Then, leading 6-5 and facing Djokovic’s serve, Federer had one opportunity to break and secure the set. But Djokovic fended it off and pushed the game to deuce. After winning the next point, Federer had his second chance to win the opening set. Again, Djokovic held his ground with a vicious serve out wide. Djokovic would hold and the two players entered a tiebreak to decide the first set.

Djokovic’s incredible range gave him the first point. He took the second and third points as well, quickly putting Federer in a three-point hole. Djokovic cruised to a 7-1 win in the tiebreak.

In the set, Federer only managed to connect on two aces and 59 percent of his first serves. In the first set against Andy Murray on Friday, Federer landed 11 aces and 85 percent of his serves.

Federer quickly had a chance to surge in front in the second set. With the score at 2-2 and with Djokovic serving, Federer pushed the game to deuce, where he quickly gained an advantage. But Djokovic rallied with a deep groundstroke that just managed to catch the line. Again, Federer gained the advantage after Djokovic slipped on the ensuing rally, but Federer was fooled on the next point.

In a game that lasted roughly eight minutes, Djokovic finally held. And for Federer, it was yet another missed opportunity.

“He did deserve it,” Federer said. “Well done, Novak.”

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