Novak Djokovic shares how he saved 2 MPs against Roger Federer in 2011 US Open semis

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• Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic has shed light on one of his most iconic shots as the Serb revealed to John McEnroe how he was able to save two match points against Roger Federer in the 2011 US Open semifinal. 12 years ago when Djokovic and Federer met in the US Open semifinal, Federer had a 5-3 lead in the fifth set and 40-15 on his service.

On his first match point, Federer hit a first serve wide but Djokovic picked it up impressively and returned it for a winner. Djokovic then went on to save both match points and win 6-7 (7) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5. "I anticipated he was going to serve wide, and I don't know why but this is the first time I'm going to probably say this...

I felt it was his go-to serve against me in important moments. I said, 'Okay, you know what, if he serves here I'm gonna snack it if I'm in a good position, which I did. You know how it is, one or two shots can really shift the momentum," Djokovic on ESPN+'s "McEnroe's Places."

Novak has done a brilliant interview with John McEnroe for ESPN+.

Some excerpts. Djokovic talks about how he knew Roger was going to serve out wide when serving at 40-15 in the USO SF 2011. He felt that was Roger's "go to serve" against Novak & guess what Novak read it spot on! pic.twitter.com/OJa8vFAtBD — दिविर जैन (@divirj04) September 14, 2023

Djokovic did the same in the 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer

Eight years later, Djokovic pretty much did the same in the 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer.

In the fifth set, Federer had an 8-7 lead and 40-15 on his service. Djokovic saved both championship points and went to win 7-6 (5) 1-6 7-6 (4) 4-6 13-12 (3). “In these kinds of matches, you work for, you live for, they give sense and they give value to every minute you spend on the court training and working to get yourself in this position and play the match with one of your greatest rivals of all-time.

I'm just obviously thrilled and overjoyed with emotions to be sitting here in front of you as a winner. It was one shot away from losing the match, as well. This match had everything. It could have gone easily his way," Djokovic said after the 2019 Wimbledon final.