Djokovic beats Federer to win 2015 Wimbledon title

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic has won his third Wimbledon title by beating seven-time champion Roger Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in a thrilling encounter in SW19. The Serb repeated last year's Centre Court performance when he ended an 18-month grand slam drought by beating Federer in a match that lasted nearly four hours.

The Swiss maestro stepped onto the court already doing what has now becoming rudimentary for him, setting a new record, as he prepared for his 10th final in the tournament. Despite losing last year's Wimbledon final to Djokovic, Federer had beaten the Serb 20 times in their careers, while Djokovic had beaten Federer 19 times. The two had played each other on grass only twice, each winning once.

A stern-faced Federer chose to serve first, starting confidently and stretching his 6ft 2 opponent with the kind of aggressive serve game that smacked 20 aces past one of the game's best returners, Andy Murray. The two traded break points, however and Djokovic immediately responded by taking the set to a tie break and winning it 6-1, ironically thanks to a double fault by the usually exemplary server, Federer.

By the start of the second set Federer's form showed signs of wobbling, seeing him commit 15 unforced errors, compared with three by his opponent only four games into the set. Djokovic pushed the Swiss hard in the second set but faced a scare of his own when Federer brought the fight to him, in a frenetic nine-minute game which saw the world number one narrowly avoid having his serve broken.

The two once again faced a tie break, which went down to the wire with an incredible 10-all stalemate for the game and the set. After a spirited defence from Djokovic, Federer won the game, the set and the crowd on a staggering eighth set point of a neck-and-neck encounter. With Centre Court applauding the popular Swiss's comeback, it was Djokovich's turn to summon a recovery.

And he did just that, braking early and taking the third set after showing clear signs of frustration during the beginning of the third set, including beating his trainers with his racket in anger at Federer's set point. Play was suspended due to light rain for around ten minutes without the roof coming on.

A visibly fatigued Federer laboured against a resurgent Djokovic in the fourth set. The Swiss made several mistakes, but still managed to claw back the score to three games to five. Djokovic was having none of it, screaming his way towards his third Wimbledon title. Djokovic won the set six games to three.

The players were hauled off the court in an understated fashion as rain brought the roof on after Djokovic scored his match-winning point but not before grabbing a bite of the Centre Court grass just as he did after winning the tournament last year.

Once back out, a graceful Federer praised his opponent but quashed any rumours he would be hanging up his racket soon.

"I am still very hungry to keep playing," said Federer. "I hope I see you again here," he added, addressing the crowd.

Djokovic, the reigning Wimbledon champion also praised his opponent, describing playing Federer as "one of the biggest challenges I have had".

"It is a great honour to play against him," Djokovic added. When asked about his odd tradition to eat a bit of the turf every time he wins Wimbledon Djokovic praised the groundskeepers in maintaining the grass's flavour.

He is now level with his coach Boris Becker in winning three Wimbledon titles. Djokovic says Becker, who joined his team last year, now has no bragging rights.

"It took some time to understand each other. He is German, I am Serbian, a significant difference," Djokovic laughed but added the two had found the right chemistry.

This rounds off the men's and women's Wimbledon 2015 tournament after Serena Williams took a major step towards making history yesterday by beating Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza to win the women's title. Williams completed a 'Serena Slam' for the second time since 2003, holding all Grand Slam titles in one year. The win brings her only 3 titles away from Margaret Court's all time record of 24 major titles.