It will be Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title on Sunday afternoon. The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Cheryl Murray along with Pete Ziebron of Tennis Acumen preview the action and make their picks.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (2) Roger Federer
Ricky: Federer and Rafael Nadal occasionally produce the instant classics that live in history. But Federer vs. Djokovic delivers the goods on the most consistent basis of the Big 3 (or even Big 4) matchups. And another good one is almost certainly in store. Federer has dropped only three sets this fortnight and he is coming off an awesome performance against Nadal in the semis. Djokovic surrendered just two total sets during his trip to the title match. The world No. 1 leads this extensive head-to-head series 25-22 and 2-1 on grass. That doesn’t mean much. But 2-0 in Wimbledon finals and 8-2 in their last 10 overall are numbers worth nothing. Given that Djokovic also took care of business in an easier semifinal, he gets the nod. Djokovic in 5: 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4.
Pete: Historically, this may very well prove to be a pivotal match with respect to the final total of majors won by the Big 3. With a win, Federer increases his margin to six over Djokovic (and three over Nadal). A Djokovic victory elevates his tally to 16–two behind Nadal and four behind Federer and concurrently cements the fact that he will have won four of the last five majors. Since the last time they met at a slam (2016 Australian Open), Federer has added Ivan Ljubicic to his team–a man who has beaten Djokovic, Nadal, and even Federer himself multiple times. The Ljubicic presence has enabled Federer to creatively refine his game-plan (as evidenced against Nadal) and he will look to successfully implement these tactics in the final against Djokovic. Federer in 5: 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4.
Cheryl: Federer-Djokovic doesn’t necessarily pack the punch that a Nadal-Federer final would, but it’s hard to complain about the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds squaring off for the title at Wimbledon. Djokovic enjoys a slight head-to-head edge over Federer, but he’s won the lion’s share of their most recent matches. In fact, the last time Federer got a ‘W’ over Djokovic was in round-robin play at the ATP Finals back in 2015. Both men have enjoyed a great fortnight, but Federer had to face Nadal in the semis while Djokovic’s opponent was Roberto Bautista Agut. Although both matches went four sets, the Federer-Nadal battle was the more physical and certainly more emotional. Going into Sunday’s match I give Djokovic the edge, as he’s historically been able to handle the Federer serve and because of the fact that Federer has never managed to beat both Nadal and Djokovic in the same slam–or even at any tournament other than the 2010 ATP Finals. Djokovic in 4: 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.
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That’s it! Congrats to Rc and Pat Lemon.
Big commies to all our Fed fans. He played an incredible match!
Both players are warriors and goats!
Wowoooooowoowowwoowwo what a match! And what a vicotry by Nole. Pissing on fedal again😳
Really odd to see Fed lose 3 tiebreaks on grass!
Yeah, quite unbelieveable that Djoko could win all three TBs against Fed!
Djoko looks and behaves OK here, not over celebrating, showing respect for Fed. I like Djoko when he behaves like this.
Was pretty damn gracious about some of the calls as well!
Well Djoko gets the win. Congrats to Djoko, commies to Fed.
Djoko is gutsy when it matters. He lives up to the no. 1 ranking. Well done to Fed, I didn’t know he could still fight for so long at his age, after a tough SF.
For Rafa, at least he gets to keep his no. 2 ranking, which I think is important for the coming USO.
The USO won’t think of some reason to give Fed the #2 seed? No, probably not.
Grats to Ratcliff in absentia – both her faves won!
Condolences to the Fedfans here. It was a magnificent battle! I don’t think Djoker outplayed Fed, but in the end he outlasted him.
And thanks to Wimbledon for FINALLY putting in a tiebreaker!
Thanks Ramara! Yes, Simona Halep was indeed a great surprise – I couldn’t be happier for her!
And Nole? Well that was breathtaking and too close to feel sublime about. I did drink a bottle of Champagne to get through it without knowing who would win! hahaha a little nap is in order.
You are a great poster here, Ramara 😀
lucky..rafa has 1000 points in toronto to defend and Fed i think is just 400 points behind now..its too tight..anyone can be no 2 seed
485 points to be exact, Fed also has 600 points to defend at Cincy, don’t think Fed is playing in Canada.
If Rafa fails to defend his Canada masters title, he still can play at Cincy if he wants. It’s highly likely Rafa is going to keep his no. 2 seed at USO.
Very hard to.lose a match like that. Both players deserved to win so sad to see either one lose…
That must sting so much. Had it ‘on his racquet’ when serving for it at 12-10.
Shoulda, woulda coulda, though. All over now.
Beating Nadal here is pretty big given the slam race, but it won’t feel like that to Fed right now.
Yeah very tough! Feel for him and his fans. Very hard to.have lost with 2 championship points.
Vamos Nole!!!!
Way to dig in when it counted and not allowing the rabid crowd cheering double faults get to you.
True champion and as much of a GOAT than Naderer.
Congrats rc!!!
I like Fed’s children, they’re so lovely. Fed doesn’t need to feel sad when he has already won so much and he has such a lovely family with him.
Veey nice cute family..parents included
Even though Fed lost.this match.enhances his reputation. To play like that at 37 is amazing.
As expected. Nothing new here. Same script.
Congrats to Djoko and his fans. Well deserved victory.
Really, Happy? That’s what you have to say after you said Fed would require ‘divine intervention’ to win? This was actually quite a different script from 2014-15, even if the final result was the same. Perhaps you’re just gutted, but you don’t sound like much of a Federer fan to me.
Happy, please happily fuck off. Sincerely, Ben
Haha yes!
You can delete that comment if you need to Ricky. Sorry bout the language just can’t help it. Dumbest thing I’ve read this year. “Nothing new here. Same script.” It was a five hour match idiot. What script?
And 2 championship points!!
My my what a match..thriller..Congrats Novak and Novak fans. Novak is so mentally tough to win a match not even playing anywhere near his best.
Roger..you played great..you deserved to win this..not sure how you lost that on your serve with 2 mp. You fought like a lion Anyways you did good..be proud..this will hurt though i know as he knows he lost what he should have won.
So Sanju, all your superstitions should now go down the drain.
yes thankfully 🙂 atleast the nishi one 🙂 and also all the astrologer predictions 🙂
Haha! Yeah the Nishikori omen only lasts one grand slam cycle, I am told
Warm heartfelt authentic words from Nole.
Such an amazing player in the face of adversity.
Still amazed by how good Federer is. Yes he made some tight mistakes but Nole also had many moments of nervy play.
So happy for Nole to have weathered the storm.
The GOAT race has never been closer!!!!
😞
Sorry for you, Benny, but cheer up. It’s just a tennis match, and unlike you and me, they get millions even for losing!
Really really sorry Benny. I was rooting for fed. Don’t know what happened in the tiebreak s. Amazing play from Fed over 2 matches.
Thanks Amy. Was tough to watch. Can’t win em all 🙁 anyways congrats to Nole, he’s a machine
So Djoko ties Borg with five Wimbledon titles. I want to see him at least being recognised as dominant at Wimbledon just like Borg or Sampras or Fed, to prove that tennis.com article wrong.
Djoko is not done yet at Wimbledon, so any new dominant future champion will just have to wait.
I just hope Rafa gets his third channel slam, to tie with Borg; and Djoko can win as many Wimbledon as he’s able to win.
I have never been more devastated in my life from a tennis match… Congrats to Novak. Struggling to keep it together right now. Two match points man 😞 so close…
I understand Benny. If that was Rafa with 2 match points I would have been completely gutted.
Benny, don’t be sad, we the Rafa fans have experienced those feelings many many times, we know how it feels.
Time will heal all these sad feelings, you’ll overcome them just like the Rafa fans have done time and again.
I know what you’re saying lucky. But lemme mourn this loss for now 😂 I’m just gutted, you understand. I’ll be fine and so will Roger. Just hurt so bad to watch him lose such an epic encounter
Commies Benny. Horrible feeling I know.
Thanks hawks good to hear from you again 😄
Me too Benny. I’m worried for Fed too. I though if I were him, how would I sleep tonight…? he must be devastated inside. 2 match points. Should probably have taken a break maybe before serving for the match, not rush, breathe, relax.
Thank you amy.
You are very welcome Eugene! Thinking of both of you as you are both great people. I am sure Fed will come back strong. But it hurts like crazy right now…
Eugene..he had 2 mp..i think he did not rush..novak hit some great winners..i think roger just did not hit through the ball those 2 points..he just hit to keep ball in play those 2 points..somehow strangely he did not make too many first serves entire fifth set..atleast in the big points
He got tight on those match points. He barely swung the racket on the first forehand miss then hit a very very weak approach shot the next point. He was just hoping djokovic would somehow botch that easy passing shot. It’s okay, nerves got him there but he fought so hard. He should be proud. To be playing at this level three weeks before turning 38 is inhuman.
I agree about the second CP, where Fed’s approach was much too shallow, and I think he came in to net without much of a plan, just hoping for the error as you say. But the first CP he narrowly missed an ace, clipping the tape. And Novak hit a very hard 2nd serve return at Fed’s shoelaces, forcing the error.
So yes, Fed could have played better especially on the 2nd point, but I think we have to give Novak credit for playing great -once again- when his back was up against the wall.
Nice to see Nole with Stefan.
The handshake was just too cold after such a match..even the post match interviews were just going through motions of talking about each other..no love lost here its very clear..but anyways roger is just too gutted..feel bad for him..and for mirka too..she was a wreck all match..
Yes they don’t like each other do.they?
I don’t think Fed and Novak actively dislike each other, but they’re not friends. Nole’s dad hates Fed, though.
Not a fan of the djokovic family and team in general. They give off a very arrogant vibe in my opinion, quite unlike the teams of Roger and Rafa.
Exactly what I feel Benny. Same, same, same.
Never like to see that potato face in Djoko’s box.
they dont like each other Joe..its obvious..the handshake was just too cold..I think if rafa would have won or lost this match..there would have been a proper hug exchanged..even rafa n novak have exchanged hugs after a close match..
novak thankfully did not over celebrate and was subdued..
Djoko’s son looks so serious! He’s so cute, sticking to the father closely.
His son is adorable.
As I said already, the one who wins deserves it. Both guys gave it everything, Fed face it everything, even had two championship points. That has to make it so much harder to lose.
You do not win three TB’s against Fed on grass by accident. In a match like this, it can turn on one or two points. But as far as I am concerned, they would both be deserving winners. Unfortunately, one player has to lose.
Novak has shown some real maturity in handling the crowd. That could not have been easy. For Fed this loss is going to hurt. I thought he had it with those championship points. He played so brilliantly after a tough semifinal with Rafa. Fed just kept on coming.
The one who wins in a match like this deserves it.
Fed gave it everything!
Joe, that is my opinion. I’m not disappointed bc I expected this.
Federer had no business losing this match when he was serving for the championship. Same script, just like one of the other Wimbledon finals when he was in a winning position and fell apart again for no reason. The same story. Nothing new.
You don’t get to determine whether i’m a fed fan or not. That was completely unnecessary. Fed should have won but he lost again. The same story.
Djokovic is just very confident and determined in a grand slam final. If he was the one serving for the championship, hell will freeze over before he loses his serve. Federer had no business losing his serve when serving for the match. That was just terrible and djokovic did nothing special to break him there.
Congrats to Djoko. Entertaining match but the usual outcome.
You’re just making it worse dude. Show some class or get off this site.
Happy is a troll no? Very uncalled for at this time.
Like the troll who came on this site after Rafa lost to Fed in the semis?
Yes exactly, that grasscourt guy right? Just ridiculous
Before the game where he served for the match… a few games earlier. Novak was serving. It was 15:30. That was a key moment aslo. Roger should have been more aggressive. He had chances to win. Normally it could have finished 3:1, if he took 1/2 of those tb.
Thank you Rafans for being great people.
Yes that grasscourt guy. I cannot deal with that kind of garbage. However, I do not think Happy is trolling. Just giving his take on the match. But I understand why Fed fans would not like hearing it right now. The loss is still too fresh and raw. That’s why I am just giving my commiserations to Fed fans right now. Rafans have experienced our share of tough losses.
To come thisclose and lose is very difficult. Nobody would blame any Fed fan for not wanting to hear an analysis about Fed losing again to Novak. He had it in his hands. He was there. Fed fans should feel gutted. So I am trying to show some respect for both Fed and his fans. It’s just a bad feeling.
The good news is that Fed fought hard fir this win. As long as is still playing, he can have a chance at another Wimbledon. There is the USO coming up, too. Fed is still in there playing and competing for slam titles.
In what Wimbledon championship did Federer hold a winning position against Djokovic? I must have missed that one.