Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to win Wimbledon 2015 final: as it happened - Telegraph
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to win Wimbledon 2015 final: as it happened
World No 1 Novak Djokovic produces brilliant display to beat Roger Federer    7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 and become Wimbledon champion again
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18.02
Djokovic gives some love to what is rather unlikely to be his last Wimbledon trophy - he's the first to retain it since Roger Federer in 2007. The challengers - Federer, Murray, Wawrinka et al - will be back again next year, but who will bet against the gluten-free champion making it three in a row?
17.52
Here's the champion:
Roger makes you push your limits, work hard and earn every point. For these matches, you work every day, repetitively...it's a thrilling feeling.
17.49
Roger speaks to Sue:
I think Novak played well not only today, but this week, this year, last year, the year before that....I didn't play too badly either, but that's how it goes. I'm still hungry and motivated to keep playing...it's been a privilege to be here and back on Centre Court.
17.46
Our man Simon Briggs reports from Centre Court:
Novak Djokovic claimed his third Wimbledon title with what was, in the end, a comfortable four-set victory over Roger Federer.
A titanic second-set tie-break was the highlight of a fine final, but one which did not see Federer reach the heights that he displayed against Andy Murray in his previous match.
Djokovic seemed to show signs of shakiness in the second set when he saw seven set points come and go. He lost a memorable tie-break – arguably the best in a Wimbledon final since the Borg-McEnroe epic of 1980 – by a margin of ten points to eight.
Yet when the third set began, Djokovic saved a break point in his first service game with a strong forehand, and from that moment he barely missed a ball. Play was interrupted by a brief shower with Djokovic leading at 3-2, but after 19 minutes the players resumed and he drove confidently to a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory that sees him equal his coach Boris Becker on three Wimbledon titles.
At the end of the match, Djokovic stooped to eat a blade of grass in his traditional celebration but the award ceremony was held up to allow the roof to close. The excitement of the moment rather ebbed away but the world No. 1 will not be too bothered. After the acute disappointment of losing the French Open final to Stan Wawrinka, he has bounced back powerfully once again.
17.30
Djokovic exits Centre Court for the moment. The roof will be closed for the presentation of his third Wimbledon title and his ninth major.
Novak Djokovic wins 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3!
Stunning forehand from Djokovic - his fifth point in a row - and the umpire overrules an out call to make it 0-30! Federer doesn't flinch and a net cord comes to his rescue on the next point, helping a Djokovic backhand wide. Back comes Novak, though, and a backhand return gives him two Championship points! The ball sits up perfectly from a desperate Federer backhand, and he makes no mistake! Novak Djokovic tastes the Centre Court grass and is Wimbledon champion again!
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Federer tries a drop shot...and it's just short enough to evade the darting run of Djokovic: 0-15. Djokovic goes long on the backhand for 0-30! Serious chance for Federer here, but Djokovic halves the deficit with a huge serve into the body and then levels with another one out wide. Serious chance gone.
Federer nets a forehand, and Djokovic's recovery in this game is almost complete. Federer goes long, Djokovic holds, Federer must now serve to stay in the match. He'll rue that missed opportunity at 0-30.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A weary Federer backhand finds the net, but Djokovic can't quite plant a lob into the corner. With the court gaping, Federer waits for the ball to bounce and....finds the net cord: 15-30. He drags himself level at the net on the next point, though. Double fault! Djokovic has a gilt-edged break point. Federer serves boldly and Djokovic's return is netted: deuce.
Federer swings a backhand wide, as Djokovic keeps battling away - another break point, but the Serb nets again. Roger nudges in front, but Djokovic comes to the net to out a volley away. Djokovic challenges a Federer ace down the middle...but it's good. Roger steers a nerveless forehand into the left corner to secure a big, big hold.
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 2-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Now Federer's doing the chasing again, and he pokes an excellent forehand into the left corner, but Djokovic reacts to get a backhand of his own back down the line. Federer hits a couple long, and it's 40-0, but the Swiss claws a backhand across court and the angle beats Djokovic. Novak nets a forehand after some more determined defence from Federer: 40-30. An ace down the middle rescues things, though.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic beats Federer with his eyes at the net, sending him to the right, and putting a forehand to the left for 0-15. Federer kicks a serve to force Novak to send a backhand into the net and level it up, but then he plonks a forehand into the net too: 15-30. Another "come on!" greets a pressured Djokovic backhand that flies wide, but again he cancels it out with an unforced error into the net: break point Djokovic! And he takes it!
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Federer in the ascendancy now, and happy for Djokovic to be doing the chasing in this set, but the defending champion still won't let him get a foothold on his serve - it's 40-0 in a flash. An ace down the middle seals the deal.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 2-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer nets, but responds with a decisive forehand into the corner and a "come on!". Djokovic ends the next point flat on his back after retrieving one out wide, but Federer volleys the winner and then moves 40-15 ahead. The hold is secured with a marvellously controlled backhand volley at the net.
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Federer wins a rat-a-tat exchange at the net for 0-15, only for Djokovic to serve his way level. Novak then pokes the ball over after a delicate battle of wills at the net - Centre Court enjoys that. They trade points and it's 40-30, before Federer goes long on the forehand.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Roger Federer, showing all the panic you'd expect from Roger Federer, dispatches two volleys for 30-0, but Djokovic responds with a forehand return down the line. Federer ups the stakes with an ace, and Djokovic can't keep the next return in.
Here's the sound of Novak taking set three:
listen to ‘DJOKOVIC WINS THE THIRD SET’ on audioBoom
Novak Djokovic takes the third set 6-4!He leads by two sets to one
Federer can only block the first Djokovic serve long, and the Serb has a simple overhead into the right corner for 30-0. Federer piles a backhand into the net - three set points for Djokovic. Another clinical overhead into the same corner is enough to take the second set!
That's a monstrous first-serve percentage.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 4-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Eleventh ace for Federer: 30-0. Djokovic's feet go from underneath him again, and a backhand is long. Federer forces another error and will make Djokovic serve for the set now.
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Big service game for Djokovic again - to take him a step closer to the third set - and he moves ruthlessly to 30-0. A net cord gets him scrambling to the net, but he composes himself to stick the forehand into the corner and holds with ease. Federer must now serve to stay in the set.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer slams one away at the net for 30-0, and it's a simple, quickfire hold for the Swiss.
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 2-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
OK, here we go again. Djokovic is on serve now, but Federer swats a backhand return down the line to set up an easy volley. Djokovic then comes to the net, and should put his own volley away, but Federer misses the cross-court counter-punch anyway: 15-all. Djokovic is tempted into the net again, but Roger lifts a perfect lob over his head and in. Djokovic levels again, and then threads a backhand through the eye of the needle and passes Federer at the net: 40-30. Federer puts a forehand well wide on the run, and Djokovic secures a tricky hold after the rain delay.
16.38
The players are back, and they'll knock up for three minutes to blow away any cobwebs from the fifteen-minute rain delay.
16.35
It's 2015, and inanimate objects still have overly conversational Twitter accounts:
Come on @Wimbledon . Give the people what they want... #releasetheroof
— Wimbledon Roof (@WimbledonRoof) July 12, 2015
16.29
So, where are we?
No wonder Djokovic is starting to show signs of frustration. Federer saved no fewer than six set points in that gladitorial tie break, sometimes surviving on that trusty defensive backhand slice to take the sting out of Djokovic's attempted forehand winners. Eventually, he nudged ahead 11-10, Djokovic lost his footing (but still got up, because he's a freak of science) and Federer kept it together to volley a winner.
Anyway, back in the present day - almost two and a half hours in - the covers are coming off on Centre Court, and the roof will remain open, too.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - PLAY SUSPENDED DUE TO RAIN
Federer swashbuckles his way to 30-0, as the rain gets a little heavier. Federer does the officials a favour by wrapping it up quickly, and it's all hands to the pump for the groundstaff.
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 1-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The, er, covers people (what do we call them?) are lurking with intent in the corner of Centre Court as the weather starts to look dubious. Djokovic ignores them, though, and goes 30-0 up before sending a backhand into the net. It's definitely raining, but Djokovic wants to get this done - Federer nets and it is indeed done. More anxious looks from courtside officials.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Lift-off for Federer as he extends a right arm to clip a backhand overhead over the net for 30-0. Djokovic hangs in there, but a backhand goes long: 40-15. Djokovic breaks down the Fed defence to work a simple volley at the net and then Federer goes well, well long on the forehand: deuce.
Djokovic lifts a perfect drop-shot over to earn a break point after a thrilling rally...and Federer takes his eye off the ball to miss an easy forehand! Djokovic breaks!
Federer* 6-7, 7-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
At 0-15, Federer gets on the front foot to pummel a forehand down the line - Djokovic isn't chasing that one. Federer misjudges a backhand return and then nets another: 30-all. Djokovic loses out in another prolonged baseline exchange and Federer has a break point. That goes begging when a forehand lands just long: deuce. Djokovic's patience starts to wear thin and he finally puts this service game to bed.
Federer 6-7, 7-6, 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
My brain frazzles at the thought of possibly only being 40% through this match. Federer serves up the third set, but Djokovic finds a thunderous return and then Federer can't pick one up at the net: 15-30. Federer pokes a backhand long and Djokovic has two early break points. The first of those goes into the net, and Federer aces to eliminate the other. Adv. Federer after another decisive serve....and another secures the hold! Nerves of titanium.
Here's the sound of Federer levelling it up at one set all:
listen to ‘ROGER FEDERER WINS THE SECOND SET’ on audioBoom
Roger Federer takes the tie break (12-10) and the second set! One set all.
Djokovic decides to leave a Federer teaser, but it's in: 1-0. Federer tentatively approaches the net, but Novak passes him with a forehand: 1-1. Federer nets a backhand, not under a great deal of pressure: 1-2 Djokovic. Novak forces him into a corner and he can't wrap his forehand around the ball: 1-3. Federer's defence just about hangs in there long enough to get an opening for a cross-court forehand: 2-3. But Djokovic backhands him into submission again: 2-4. Federer serves in the late-afternoon gloom and Djokovic nets the forehand return for 3-4. The Federer forehand fails him now: 3-5 Djokovic. Another punishing Djokovic shot into the corner finds no response: 3-6 and set point.
Federer claws a point back on his serve: 4-6. After a ridiculously tense rally, Djokovic goes just long - Federer saves another! 5-6 Djokovic. Oustanding from Federer! He finds a backhand from nowhere to level it up at 6-6.
Djokovic to serve now. Federer clings on, but a backhand hits the net cord: 6-7 Djokovic. Federer swings a second serve out wide, and is at the net to convert: 7-7! He holds his nerve at the net to whip a forehand into the left corner - set point Federer at 8-7! Djokovic thunders one down the middle to level again: 8-8. Federer undoes some sterling defensive work with an errant backhand: 8-9. Fed serves, and Djokovic is on all fours as a forehand skips into the corner for 9-9.
Djokovic forces a Federer return into the net: 9-10. On serve, with a set point again, the defending champion must be about to wrap things up....but no! A forehand is long, and HawkEye confirms it: 10-10. Roger's time for heroics now - a supreme return makes it 11-10 Federer. He serves - fault. He serves again, and this time he advances to the net and converts it! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
Federer 6-7, 6-6 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Drained by his latest effort in vain to penetrate the Djokovic serve, Federer nets a forehand for 0-15, but Djokovic does the same with an unpressured backhand. An ace swings over to the left and over the sprawling Djokovic forehand, but the Serb responds for 30-all. Federer buries a volley at the net. Djokovic slips, and almost recovers, but Federer scrapes to the hold of serve. Tie break!
Federer* 6-7, 5-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Federer, at 30-0, decides to take the direct route by sending a forehand towards Djokovic's face, which the Serb can only push wide. Federer capitalises on that aggression by swatting a vintage forehand from left to right: 30-all. Now a forehand goes almost into the same spot - break point Federer! As Djokovic is pinned back well behind the baseline, Federer puts a forehand into the net to waste his chance. Centre Court feels his pain. An emphatic backhand flies long now, and Djokovic has almost climbed out of this...no, he hasn't! Federer belts a forehand passing shot down (and on to) the line: deuce again.
Federer misses the next return, but Djokovic can't capitalise. Federer puts another backhand into the net, and his opportunity seems to have passed by, but again Novak can't convert an advantage. Centre Court comes in and out of the sun, like someone's fiddling with the contrast button on their TV, and Federer nets a forehand. Eight minutes gone in this game and, finally, Djokovic prevails.
Federer 6-7, 5-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer serving to stay in the second set. A 119mph ace is a good start, but his forehand goes long once more. Djokovic fires one at him at the net, and Federer can't deal with this one: 15-30. A big serve puts him on the front foot for the next point, which he seals with a hammer of a forehand into the right corner. Double fault! Djokovic has a set point! He can't control a forehand, though, and Federer is off the hook for the moment. He stoops to cushion a volley over the net from a hopeful cross-court Djokovic backhand and the hold is, finally, his.
Federer* 6-7, 4-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Having safely put another service game on the board, Federer once again tries to get under the armour-plated Djokovic serve, but it's 30-0 by the time he's readjusted his headband. Another forehand return back across court goes long. Djokovic nets a forehand to offer some hope but - yet again - it's a fleeting one.
Federer 6-7, 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
On we go: an errant Djokovic backhand is then followed by an arduous defensive effort that ends at the net, and Federer converts a forehand for 40-0. A jack-rabbit backhand return reminds Federer to focus, but he hammers down a serve to hold.
Federer* 6-7, 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Eighth ace from Djokovic: 15-0. He then carves out a chance on the backhand, and puts it away, before Federer skies a forehand return for 40-0. Djokovic can't loft the ball over the net from an angle, but another merciless serve gives Federer no hope. The Djokovic serve remains largely undented.
Federer 6-7, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A Federer ace is followed by a fruitful visit to the net to put away a volley as Djokovic scampers wide, but the defending champion steps forward to win a net point of his own. Federer swings a forehand into the corner and beyond for 40-15, but tries to finish with a drop-shot - it lands on the net cord. A huge serve nevertheless seals the hold.
Federer* 6-7, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
They trade cross-court errors, before Federer nets a backhand and another rather tame return for 40-15. Djokovic belts a backhand down the line...but it's just wide. Base camp beckons for Roger Federer, as Djokovic misjudges a bounce and sends an awkward forehand long for deuce. Djokovic nets again - break point Federer! Roger's backhand defence keeps him in the next rally, but Djokovic smashes it down with a forehand into the corner that survives a HawkEye challenge: deuce again.
Federer turns defence into attack in an instant, making Djokovic slip on the second-week turf and forcing an error. Djokovic returns the favour by wrongfooting him with a well-disguised forehand. A Federer forehand flies up off the racket and lands long, and Djokovic finds a slender corridor of grass to put away a forehand of his own to hold.
Federer 6-7, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Roger visits the net to plant a volley onto the left tramline, and chases that up with two aces for 40-0. A forehand goes wide, and a volley is netted, and it's suddenly 40-30, but Djokovic can't control a forehand and it's long.
Federer* 6-7, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
No change out of the Novak serve - Federer scowls a little at his current predicament, until he lobs Djokovic and forces him to net: 40-15. Federer can't capitalise, though, and nets a backhand return.
Here's the sound of Djokovic wrapping up that first-set tie break:
Federer 6-7, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
No-nonsense response from Federer - he too holds to love, wielding that potent forehand in the process.
Federer* 6-7, 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic bounds out of his chair and is 30-0 to the good. An ace - his seventh so far - follows, and Federer can only spoon a forehand long. Djokovic holds to love, and his momentum continues to build.
Novak Djokovic wins the tie-break and the first set 7-6!
Djokovic defies physics to get to a ball out wide and scoop over a backhand slice into the corner: 0-1. Federer goes long: 0-2. And again, off a huge Djokovic serve: 0-3. Federer gets on the board, but is made to work for it before he gets through the Novak defence: 1-3. Djokovic ends a brilliantly expansive rally with a decisive forehand for 1-4. Federer sends a backhand return long: 1-5, and some time to think at the change of ends.
No let-up, though - Federer nets a backhand for 1-6 Djokovic. And a double fault provides the low-key end to the first set. Djokovic takes the tie-break 7 points to 1.
Federer* 6-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic once more must serve to stay in the first set. A Federer backhand flirts with the net cord, the next plants a smacker on the left tramline: 0-15. Djokovic puts in the hard yards to force an overcooked Federer forehand to level, followed by an ace down the middle, but then double faults: 30-all. Djokovic punches a backhand into the net - set point Federer! But Djokovic serves a bomb out wide and the return flies long: deuce. Federer's waiting at the net for a cross-court backhand and secures another set point, but Djokovic again eliminates it with a big serve out wide.
They trade shots, right on the margins, before Federer drifts a defensive forehand long. Djokovic swings an ace down the middle to stave off the Federer threat....for now. Tie break time!
Federer 6-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer cruises to 30-0, and Djokovic wastes a presentable chance at the net. He gets enough on his next return to force an error, though, and Federer then dips a forehand wide on the right-hand side: 40-30. Federer skims a nerveless drop-shot over the net, and Novak can't quite get onto it.
Federer* 5-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic must now serve to stay in the set. Another ace arcs its way past the Federer forehand, and a second zips through on the other side. Djokovic blocks one passing shot, but Federer whips a volley past him anyway: 30-15. Federer nets a return and then a backhand from the baseline.
Federer 5-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Fresh from having his serve broken for only the second time in the Championships, Federer doesn't panic. It's 40-0 after two rock-solid serves and an easy overhead. Djokovic goes long, Federer holds.
Federer* 4-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
New balls, and Djokovic swings the first of them out wide for an ace. Federer nets the next return on the stretch and mistimes a backhand to send it well long. A Djokovic forehand is just wide, but an ace down the middle wraps up a steadying hold.
Federer 4-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is quick out of the blocks to poke a volley over the net this time, but Federer's serve pegs him back for 15-all. Djokovic pummels a forehand into the left corner and then eats up a Federer second serve to force an error of the Swiss's frame. Two break points! Federer saves the first with a solid serve but, on the second, Djokovic passes down the backhand side and Roger can only net his desperate volley. Novak breaks back immediately!
Federer* 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
At 0-15, Djokovic loses out in the lengthiest rally so far, and Federer smells blood. Djokovic comes to the net, but his volley is tame and netted. Three break points for Federer! And Djokovic fails at the net again!
Federer 3-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic does the splits for the first time, in the process of skying a defensive lob that Federer swats away. Federer mixes up the serve to keep Novak guessing, and it's 40-0 in a flash. The crowd groan sympathetically as the net cord stops a Djokovic return - comfortable service game for Roger.
Federer* 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic belts a forehand into the right corner, which Federer has to almost dislocate his wrist to claw back...but it bounces just shy of the net. Novak tips a simple one into the net cord next, though. Federer steps to his right to swipe a forehand return across court, but it's micrometres wide. His next attempt is more successful, though, taken early to fly into the right corner: 30-all. The Swiss misjudges a chip from the back of the court and puts a forehand long to give Djokovic the hold.
Federer 2-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer twice advances to the net - the first time, he puts away a routine volley, but he can't pick the ball up on the second visit. An unfussy overhead edges him back in front, but Djokovic punches a backhand into the right corner for 30-all. "Come on" says Roger as a Djokovic forehand flies harmlessly past him, and a return is netted to seal the hold. The rallies developing nicely already, though.
Federer* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Federer pounces on the defending champion's first serve, peppering the forehand until he works a space on the other side to put it away. Three Swiss forehands fall just over the baseline, though, and Djokovic recovers to 40-15. Federer pins him back again, and that double-handed Djokovic backhand runs aground at the net: 40-30. A solid serve into Federer's body is enough to hold, however.
Federer 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
The sun pokes out of the clouds as Federer serves his first exocet into the Djokovic backhand. The return is long, and the next barely makes it off Novak's racket. Federer fires his first ace for 40-0, and forces Djokovic to stretch for a backhand to secure the hold. Immaculate start.
14.06
Couple more minutes of gentle thwocking of the warm-up to go. A BBC poll says Federer has about 75% of a chance: Andy Roddick politely points out that the voters are "outside of their minds" and predicts Novak to triumph.
14.03
Roger Federer wins the toss, and elects to serve.
14.01
Centre Court, Instagram at the ready, welcomes both players out under the overcast skies.
13.57
Emails to adam.hurrey@telegraph.co.uk , pretty please. Here come the finalists!
13.54
McEnroe's going for Federer in five sets, Henman says Roger's momentum is the greater, and Roddick manages to avoid clambering off the fence at all.
13.45
Not sure this is foremost in either man's mind right now, but this final with have no effect on the rankings - Djokovic will remain a country mile ahead as the world no.1, with Federer a few thousant points back in second. Andy Murray must satisfy himself with third.
Djokovic, in other administrative news, is one win away from his 200th in Grand Slams. Federer is just nine short of 300, meanwhile.
13.37
My colleague Darren Richman has the all-important team news:
Wimbledon team news: Djokovic (unchanged) vs Federer (unchanged).
— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) July 6, 2014
13.35
Poor old Andy Roddick loses the BBC pundits' caption contest to John McEnroe in straight sets:
13.31
More fine Vining from the organisers:
13.28
Nice little misty-eyed segment from Barry Davies - basically the greatest man ever to have lived - to get the pulse racing for this one on BBC One.
13.27
Goran Ivanisevic is hanging around the grounds, as former champions are presumably entitled to do. He tells the BBC:
Roof or no roof, it's going to be a great match. Roger has to be aggressive. If it goes to five sets, Djokovic is the favourite. I said Djokovic before the tournament and I'm going to stick with it.
13.21
Some of this today, please. I don't think it's too much to ask.
13.18
Our tennis correspondent Simon Briggs previews the final:
Just a couple of seasons ago, Federer appeared to be drawing towards the end of a glorious career. The Swiss saw his improbable sequence of 36 consecutive grand slam quarter-finals come to an end here at the hands of Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013. He lost to Tommy Robredo at the US Open, in a match full of uncharacteristic lapses of judgment.
However, he went away the following winter and made changes: a new expanded racket-head, a new and more famous coach in Stefan Edberg. Now he is back to play in his 10th Wimbledon final, and perhaps to outstrip Pete Sampras by lifting the title for the eighth time. Yet the man in his way is no pushover, either.
Novak Djokovic is now an eight-time slam champion in his own right, having outlasted Murray in the Australian Open final five months ago. Only last year, he beat Federer in a compelling five-set final here, settling into a vein of dead-eyed accuracy in the last few games that made it clear he was simply never going to miss.
It feels as though his confidence might have been dented by the bat­tering he took from Stan Wawrinka in the French Open, causing him to revert to his primary setting of defensive rigour. But it is essential for his prospects today that he does not let Federer dictate too many points.
Will we see Djokovic’s traditional Wimbledon celebration on Sunday, where he bends down to pluck a piece of grass and then eats it? Or will it be the more conventional Federer star salute?
Either way, this final is shaping up as a great conclusion to what has been a magnificent tournament. Centre Court, once again, is the hottest ticket in town.
13.12
Tim Henman and Andy Roddick are straight in after the opening montage (U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" was the BBC's choice) to talk about humidity. Roddick has been a stunning coup for the Beeb, rocking up in the studio and courtside for the business end of the Championships, with a perfect blend of believable self-deprecation and fathomable insight.
Much like the imperious Michael Johnson's contribution to their athletics coverage, there's something shamelessly awe-inspiring about having the calm tones of an American all-star to temper the BBC's particularly British tendency to get a bit too excited. We're a shock cameo from Barry Davies away from tennis broadcasting dreamland.
13.07
The latest episode of David Law's Tennis Podcast previews today's potential classic. Have a listen:
The podcasters' predictions?
David Law: Federer in 4
Catherine Whitaker: Federer in 3
Simon Briggs: Federer in 3
12.58
Good afternoon. After yesterday's instalment of gold-plated tennis history - in which Serena Williams aced, double-faulted and eventually danced her way to holding all four Grand Slam titles - it is the turn of two modern greats of the men's game to write another chapter of SW19 folklore.
Tennis, perhaps only second to boxing, represents the most convenient context to slip into sporting dichotomy on occasions like today's - contrasts of style, polar-opposite temperaments, disparate paths to the top. The squarish peg of Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic - 25 majors between them, a 20-19 head-to-head record, and a mutual air of near-invincibility - does not sit too comfortably in any of those round holes. This is about as pure a sporting rivalry as it comes, with the added appeal of both players (particularly, astonishingly, the 34-year-old-to-be Federer) being at the very top of their respective games.
Having said all of that, a little blunt comparison wouldn't go amiss. Federer waves his antique flintlock pistol of a backhand, while Djokovic brandishes a double-handed AK-47. Federer's serve is an adaptable Swiss Army knife, but faces Djokovic's unparalleled dagger of a return.
Seemingly impervious to the stresses and strains of the ATP grind, Federer still cruises around the court, not so much dripping with sweat as gradually developing a glistening veneer of it. If Djokovic doesn't get to a ball - which is a rare sight indeed - it's a mini-drama. Should the seven-time Wimbledon champion not fancy scrambling in the Centre Court dust, he'll get over it within a flick of the hair and move on to the next point.
There's a hair's breadth between them in a number sense - they're dead-level on grass, in Grand Slams and in Grand Slam finals - but what Djokovic does theoretically have on his side is time. Federer is in the midst of an effortless Indian summer of a glorious career. Djokovic sits plum in the middle of his prime years, with joints apparently made of reinforced rubber. If something is to give, it might be if and when we go into a fifth set: Djokovic has won all three times that's happened between them.
11.18
Roger Federer looks to follow Serena Williams as a Wimbledon record breaker when he faces World No 1 Novak Djokovic in today's eagerly-anticipated men's singles final.
A day after Williams became the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam title when she swept to a sixth Wimbledon, fellow 33-year-old Federer will bid to become the oldest men's champion at the All England Club in the Open Era.
In a repeat of last year's final, which Federer lost in five sets, the Swiss will look to capture a record eighth Wimbledon title and the 18th major of his career.
His demolition of Andy Murray in Friday's semi-finals was a throwback to his years of Grand Slam dominance when he captured 16 of his 17 majors in a seven-year spell between 2003 and 2010.
Now he has reached a 10th Wimbledon final, the oldest man to do so since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974, and his 26th Grand Slam final overall.
A win today would break the tie of seven Wimbledon titles he shares with Pete Sampras and which he levelled with his most recent Slam, the 2012 All England Club crown.
Ahead of their 40th career meeting, Federer and defending champion Djokovic are equally-matched.
Federer has a 20-19 career edge in their head-to-heads but they are locked at 6-6 in the Grand Slams.
In finals at the majors they are 1-1 with Djokovic's Wimbledon triumph of 12 months ago following Federer's straight sets victory in the 2007 US Open.
"It's great to play Novak anywhere these days because he's a great player. He's had unbelievable success throughout his career," said Federer.
"He's become a very match tough. He always shows up. He's been good for the game."
The pair have already met three times in 2015 - Djokovic winning the finals at Indian Wells and Rome after Federer had come out on top in the Dubai final.
That loss in the UAE was just one of three for Djokovic all year with the third coming at the worst possible time at the hands of an inspired Stan Wawrinka in the final of the French Open, the only Slam still to elude him.
Djokovic is 47-3 in 2015 after collecting a fifth Australian Open as well as Masters titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome.
Djokovic will be playing in his fourth Wimbledon final and chasing his ninth Grand Slam title.
He has an admirable record of consistency at the highest level having made at least the semi-finals 19 times at the last 20 Grand Slams.