Highlights, Wimbledon 2018, men's singles final: Novak Djokovic beats Kevin Anderson to win fourth title at SW19

That’s some company to be in

"A great fight from Anderson in the third set but Djokovic did everything we expected him to do. He served well and came up with some big points when he needed them." Pat Cash

LIVE reaction 👉 https://t.co/1G8HfDfrtw #bbctennis #wimbledon⁠ ⁠ pic.twitter.com/DekNL3iozj

— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 15, 2018

Champion!

Novak Djokovic ends Kevin Anderson's remarkable #Wimbledon run—and wins his 13th Grand Slam singles title: https://t.co/OdRSyqG8WE pic.twitter.com/XWZS34xEjd

— TENNIS (@Tennis) July 15, 2018

Anderson is all class and humility

"I'd have given another 21 hours to have the opportunity to play out here - it really meant a lot to me"

Touching words from our 2018 runner-up Kevin Anderson 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5XEPdItiQq

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2018

Let that sink in

#AusOpen 🏆: 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016#FrenchOpen 🏆: 2016#Wimbledon🏆: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018#USOpen 🏆: 2011, 2015@DjokerNole's 13 Grand Slam titles

LIVE: https://t.co/qjmpfIeZGi pic.twitter.com/NOXdXteoY2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 15, 2018

Djokovic had a special supporter!

When you spot dad with the trophy 🏆#Wimbledon @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/POO2uXZWRq

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen, Wimbledon 2018 champion, Novak Djokovic

Reacquainting with an old friend… 🏆#Wimbledon #TakeOnHistory pic.twitter.com/2xMVX5X951

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2018

Anderson impresses in maiden final

Spare a thought for Anderson though. He played two of the most memorable matches of the tournament, and he collects his runners-up salver amid a thundering applause. He climbs to World No 5, but more importantly, he gave a glaring exhibition of his mental and physical toughness. Those two marathon matches – against Roger Federer and John Isner – lasted a combined 21 hours, and that surely had an impact on him. He was jaded in first two sets, tried gamely in the third, but ultimately, the strain was just too much.

The Moment

A fourth #Wimbledon title: sealed ✅

The moment @DjokerNole would have dreamed of... #TakeOnHistory pic.twitter.com/czu3QgrdHr

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2018

Slam No 13

Djokovic drops to the ground and SW19 rises to applaud the new champion! He tastes the grass, gets up and has his arms afloat…soaking in the  cheers. What a moment, what a champion, and what a return this has been from Novak Djokovic after a dismal 2017. He wins his fourth Wimbledon, and 13th Grand Slam in straight sets lasting 2 hours and 19 minutes, becoming the lowest-ranked champion since Goran Ivanišević’s dream win in 2001.

Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon 2018!

Tie-break time,and it’s 1-1 in no time. Djokovic serves, and wins the baseline rally with a typically long Anderson return. 2-1. Now Anderson serves, and Djokovic responds with a vintage whipped return into the slightest of spaces. He is inching closer. Excellent return game from Djoker again, as Anderson comes up and hits long. Moves to 5-1. Two points away from his fourth Wimbledon, before he concedes a point with a wide passing shot. 5-2. Anderson hits the net now and Djokovic is on Championship point! Anderson saves it, but Djokovic is still just a point away. And that’s it! Anderson typically hits the net to some up his day.

Djokovic wins 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)

Djokovic makes it 6-6

Djokovic serves, and Anderson doesn’t err this time! Instead, he returns into Djokovic’s body, and the Serb’s return finds the net. Anderson makes it 30-0 with some guitsy tennis. He rushes to the net and employs his sliced-drop to make it 30-0. Djokovic makes it 30-15 before hitting wide. It’s set point to Anderson! And the South African duly errs. First break point saved. 40-30. And Djokovic saves second set point witha big second serve. A baseline rally, and now Djokovic hits long. He did well to returtn that shot, actually, but that’s long. Advantage Anderson, and error Anderson. Deuce. Another long return from the South African…that was way beyond baseline. Advantage Djokovic. And now the Serb hits marginally long. Deuce again.What a return there from Djokovic! Courageous for Anderson to come to the net, but Djokovic is just too good with his return. Advantage Djokovic, and game Djokovic with that ace. Not for the first time has he saved a set point. He’s got nerves of steel. 6-6. Tie-break time!

Anderson leads 6-5

Anderson starts with an 138mph ace and jumps to 40-0. Takes the game after Djokovic backhand hits net. What a game this from Anderson. His service game has found sting again. He is not giving up!

Djokovic makes it 5-5

Djokovic serves, and grabs the first point when Anderson’s return goes long. It’s 15-all soon before Anderson hits wide to make it 30-15. The South African equalises by winning an excellent rally, and he moves to set point with his second serve. Djokovic saves the first set point after pushing Anderson wide, and he had some words to throw at the opponent. It’s heating up, and it’s Anderson on set point again. But guess what, Djokovic saves again! Deuce, and it’s advantage Djokovic now as Anderson errs again. Hard to remember he was on set point once. And you can’t allow that leeway to Djokovic. He lets go a big serve that Anderson hits to the net. It’s 5-5.

Anderson leads  5-4 in third set

Anderson serves, and gallops to 30-15 in no time. Reaches 40-15 with an ace, and takes the game with a delectable sliced backhand drop shot. He leads 5-4, but more importantly, he has shown lot more purpose and urgency in this set. He is still going for winners, but is not afraid to come to the net either. It’s getting interesting now. Anderson leads 5-4.

Djokovic draws parity

Djokovic serves, and Anderson takes the first point with a typically strong forehand. Djokovic equalises with an ace and a deep, wicked serve to make it 30-15. He rushes in, and slaps a forehand that beats Djokovic. The Serb challenges, but that’s in. It’s 30-30. And now he is on break point. A bit fortuitous though, as his return grazes the net. Can he take it now? Not yet. He hits long (again), and it’s deuce. Djokovic capitalises; he rushes in and dabs a return after pushing Anderson wide. Advantage Djokovic, and he takes it after Anderson hits long. It’s 4-4 in the third set.

Anderson makes it 4-3

Anderson serves, and serves an ace. They play a long baseline rally,and this time Anderson takes it with Djokovic hitting the net. There comes another ace from Anderson. An absolute scorcher, that. Hits his backhand long now, but it’s still 40-15 to him. Lets go a slingshot serve to take the game. He leads 4-3. Has he woken up?

Djokovic equalises 

Djokovic serves, and floats to 30-0 lead – the second point after winning a crosscourt rally. Another baseline exchange, and Djokovic takes it again! He surges to 40-0, and takes the game with an unreturnable forehand. It’s 3-3.

Anderson leads 3-2

Anderson serves,and duly errs with an inside-out forehand. A bit casual there from him. He rushes to net now, and smashes a Djokovic scoop to make it 15-15. Is there an ace coming now? Yes! Hits his fourth ace of the day to nose ahead. 30-15. Another deep serve from Anderson, and Djokovic hits long. He is showing some purpose here, Anderson. He comes to the net again for volley, but hits his return on the net. He still leads 40-30 though, and takes this game with a brute of a serve. Anderson in lead now. Well played!

It’s 2-2 in third set

Djokovic serves, and as has been the case so far, Anderson is the first to err. 15-0. Two baseline returns go long from Anderson,and Djokovic takes the game with an ace. How do you stop him?

Anderson noses ahead

Anderson serves, and errs on the net. A Djokovic error makes it 15-all, before Anderson’s scorching return makes it 30-15. The Serb hits one long again, and Anderson takes the game as another Djokovic’s backhand finds the net.

Djokovic draws level 1-1

Djokovic serves, and Anderson errs. No surprises there. Anderson comes to the net now, perhaps for the first time in the match, but lands his return into the net. Now Djokovic steps up with a backhand winner of his own to make it 40-0,and takes the game with his booming serve.

Anderson leads third set 1-0

Third set begins with Anderson serving, and he takes the first game in no time. Shows what his service game can do. He was just so good in this game, completely different from what he has been over the past two sets.

Djokovic one set away

If he wins today, Djokovic will break the three-Wimbledon-title deadlock he shares with John McEnroe and Boris Becker. Djokovic is into his first Grand Slam final for almost two years – since the 2016 US Open final – and is seeking his first major since the 2016 French Open title.

Djokovic wins second set, leads 6-2, 6-2

Djokovic serves, and promptly takes the rally with another Anderson error. He follows it with a wild, wild return to make it 30-0, before he eventually goes to the net and beats Djokovic on the run. 30-15. Lets go a rasping backhand return to draw level, and gets to break point after inducing an error from the Serb. He is on his first break point, and guess what, he ends the 15-shot rally with a long forehand return. Deuce.You can’t do that in a Wimbledon final. And Djokovic is not going to let that chance go. He rips a monster backhand and lets out a war cry. Set point, and he takes it after forcing Anderson to hit way wide. This is going just one way.

Too much, maybe?

Another lengthy record goes the way of Kevin Anderson...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/tX9a3aGQKi

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2018

Anderson takes this game, but Djokovic leads 5-2

Anderson serves, and takes the first point. It jumps to 40-0, riding on couple of errors from Djokovic. The Serbian wrests back a point thanks to an Anderson error, and he takes the game with a rasping return.

Djokovic leads 5-1

Djokovic serves, and there’s an unharacteristic error from the Serb as he hits wide. 15-0 to Anderson, and they play a 17-shot rally from the baseline. Longest rally of the match so far, and it ends with Anderson hitting the net. Djokovic lets go an ace to make it 30-15, and the Serb shows his excellent retrieving skills to make it 40-15. Anderson saves a break as Djokovic hits the net, and he makes it 40-40 with a blazing crosscourt forehand return. Advantage Djokovic now as Anderson’s return finds the net. And now Djokovic hits a straight forehand long! Deuce again. and there comes the designated error from Anderson, on net again. Djokovic doesn’t mind that window, and takes the game after wrong-footing Anderson with his forehand.

Djokovic breaks, leads 4-1

Anderson serves, takes the firsy time, and errs again. He is sticking to his template here. 15-15. Another error, this time he hits his backhand wide. Poor stuff from Anderson. There comes a double fault from the South African, and Djokovic is on break point. He breaks! Anderson hits long, again, and Djokovic has the game. Thorough domination from the Serb in this final.

Djokovic leads 3-1

Djokovic serves, but Anderson dominates this rally and eventually wins it. 15-0. The Serb responds with a sizzling ace to draw level. Another powerful serve from Djokovic and Anderson hits long again! 30-15. Djokovic rips a brutal second serve – an ace- to make it 40-15, and takes the game after another tame Anderson return hits the net. Djokovic leads.

Anderson wins game, but Djokovic leads 2-1

Djokovic leads 2-0, but Anderson makes some recovery with his service game. Rushes to 40-0 before a wild forehand return makes it 40-15. Another tired, wild lob makes it 40-30. Another long return, and it’s 40-40. Deuce. Now Djokovic hits wide, and it’s advantage Anderson. He double faults now, and there’s the second deuce. He is relying on his baseline strokes alone, perhaps too fatigued to try anything else. Djokovic errs, and it’s Anderson on advantage again. Finally takes the game as Djokovic’s return from the net fails to go across. Djokovic still leads though, 2-1.

They’re watching!

In attendance today are the Royals, the Prime Minister and...the Avengers?!#Wimbledon

LIVE: https://t.co/qjmpfIeZGi pic.twitter.com/6RVhC4zV3s

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 15, 2018

Djokovic leads in second set

Anderson serves, and wastes a single-point lead by another net error. 15-15. Another backhand from baseline goes into net. This is not looking good for Anderson. 30-15. An easy rally, and Anderson hits a languid backhand into the net. 40-15. That was his 14th unforced error. Make it 15 unforced errors as Djokovic breaks, and takes the game. Clinical. It’s 1-0 in the second set.

Anderson struggling

The strain of playing consecutive five-setters is showing on Anderson. He is clearly struggling in this searing heat, and add to it the nervous tension of a major final. His physio is out, attending to him.

Djokovic wins first set 6-2

Djokovic serves for the set, and takes the first point with a smash after pushing Anderson wide. Anderson equalises after Djokovic hits the net. 15-15. Another net error from Anderson, this time from his backhand. 30-15. And that’s poor returning from Anderson. He had the entire court to aim at, but all he did was find the net. Djokovic on set point. And Anderson hits a wild forehand. Typical. Djokovic wins first set 6-2 in 29 minutes.

Anderson pulls one back; it’s 5-2 in first set

Will Djokovic seal the set here. Looks likely so far, as he surges ahead and hits a crosscourt forehand to make it 15-all. Anderson responds with a booming serve that has Djokovic off-balance. 30-15. It becomes 40-15 as Djokovic hits his return wide. Anderson is very good on his serve, and he hits a resounding ace to take the game.

Djokovic leads 5-1

Djokovic serves, and there’s another error from Anderson. 15-0. A semblance of rally there,and Djokovic ends it by rushing to the net and crunching a forehand return past Anderson. 30-0. Takes the game as Anderson hits his forehand into the net. 5-1 in the first set. It’s easy for Djokovic so far.

Djokovic breaks, leads 4-1

This is clinical from Djokovic. He has broken Anderson for the second tie in this game. The South African is clearly struggling with his placement. Six unforced errors by him so far, the last of them hands over the game to Djokovic.

Djokovic leads 3-1

Djokovic serves. Starts with a powerful serve that Anderson hits wide, tamely. Follows it up with another bullet serve that Anderson returns to the net. 30-0. Another deep serve, and this is becoming a ritual here. Anderson loosely gets around that serve and hits it limply back to net. Game Djokovic. Anderson looks tired already. His returns have repeatedly found the net, and he clearly wilted under the barrage of Djokovic’s brutal serves. Djoker leads, 3-1.

Anderson makes it 2-1

Third game,and Anderson cruises to first two points thanks to Djokovic’s long returns. Makes it 30-0 with a 137mph rocket, and seals the game with another bullet serve to Djokovic’s backhand side. Takes the game without conceding a point.