Google News 'Had Roger Federer converted match points against Novak Djokovic..' says..
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 22422
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic met in a memorable 2019 Wimbledon final. An eight-time champion Federer stopped the clock just before his 38th birthday and made Djokovic run for his money before squandering two match points.
After all kinds of drama in the decider, Novak prevailed in the first-ever deciding tie break in Wimbledon finals to deliver one of his greatest triumphs and defend the title he claimed a year ago. Speaking about a memorable final, Vijay Amritraj praised Djokovic, who moved closer to Federer and Nadal in the GOAT race.
Federer had everything in his hands against Novak. The Swiss won 14 points, had four breaks more than the Serb, hit 40 winners more and earned two match points and additional two break chances at 11-11 in the decider. Still, he squandered all that and allowed Djokovic to steal the crown in the longest Wimbledon final ever.
The defending champion gave his best to stay in touch with Federer, who was the better player in the more significant part of the encounter. Novak repelled those two match points while returning at 7-8 in the fifth set and produced the nerves of steel in all three tie breaks to write history.
The overall numbers were on Federer's side. At the same time, Djokovic did what he had to in the pivotal moments, carried by the incredible inner strength that helped him against both Roger and the crowd. Novak was yet to create a break chance two hours and 15 minutes after they kicked off the clash.
Nonetheless, he still led two sets to one, gaining a massive boost from those two tie breaks and looking like a strong favorite in the deciding one at 12-12 in the fifth set!
Roger Federer wasted two MP's vs. Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2019.
Federer had a 5-3 advantage in the opening set's tie break before dropping four straight points to hand it to Djokovic, who hit no winners or errors in those 12 points.
The Swiss quickly left this setback behind him and stormed over Djokovic to grab the second set 6-1 in no time. Novak clinched the third set's tie break 7-4 after six errors from Roger, four in an unforced area from the backhand wing that cost him a slow start and the better finish.
Federer hit the last ball in 21 out of 23 points in those opening two tie breaks, which did not give him much after making too many unforced errors. Novak was the favorite in the crucial tie break after all kinds of drama in the deciding set and survived games 16 and 23.
He claimed 7-3 to wrap up the title and one of his most extraordinary victories ever. "If Federer had taken those two match points at Wimbledon 2019, he would have built up a considerable lead on the Serb. However, Djokovic is now on the heels of the Swiss maestro.
The 'big 3' are not chasing history or money or fame. These three have made history in their own right, and they continue to push each other to greater heights. The only question is, how long will they be able to continue doing that," Vijay Amritraj said.