Novak Djokovic lifted a sixth Wimbledon title as faced the first-time finalist Matteo Berrettini in the final of the men’s singles event on Sunday on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. The World No 1 has been in red hot form and lifted the elusive trophy and equalled Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal‘s record of 20 Grand Slams.
Catch the highlights of the Wimbledon men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini.
22:03 IST: And he has done it! NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS WIMBLEDON 2021. HE CELEBRATES IT BY CLIPPING OFF A STRAND OF GRASS AND EATING IT.
21:57 IST: And closer and closer he goes. 37 minutes in the fourth set, Djokovic leads 5-3. If Berrettini fails to hold, it is the championship for Djokovic.
21:51 IST: What a turnaround this has been. After managing to hold onto his serves, Berrettini falters. Djokovic shows that he has the nerves of steel and brings the experience into play. He leads 4-3 in the fourth set. A little closer to a sixth Wimbledon title.
21:45 IST: Djokovic is loving it! After being made to run to both sides of the court and then being made to play a drop shot, the Serbian comes out on top. A little gesticulation, again, from the World No. 1. Berrettini has a smile on his face. Djokovic level the fourth set 3-3.
21:43 IST: Beautiful net play from Berrettini. He takes a point off Djokovic’s hands. “Djokovic hasn’t been effective with the drop shots today,” say the commentators on air.
21:41 IST: Djokovic had multiple opportunities to break Berrettini but the latter was not giving in easily. The Serbian trails the Italian 2-3 in the fourth set. Overall, he leads 2-1.
21:37 IST: Game Djokovic. He draws level at 2-2. The Serbian needs a break badly if he wishes to propel his chance of finishing off the final here.
21:33 IST: An adventurous fourth set is on the cards. Berrettini holds his serve to take a 2-1 lead.
21:31 IST: 11 minutes in the fourth set, as Djokovic holds his serve to draw level. An ace? Just everyday stuff for the Serbian.
21:30 IST: There is so much happening in the second game of the fourth set, with Djokovic serving. The scoreline is 30-30.
21:26 IST: Berrettini just manages to hold his serve with powerful aces. He takes the first game of the fourth set. The crowd is rallying behind the Italian.
21:20 IST: Djokovic pumps his fist in the air after holding his serve. He takes the third set 6-4. He is now one set away from winning a historic Wimbledon.
21:15 IST: The Indian cricket team coach is in the house.
21:12 IST: Game, Djokovic! He holds his serve to gain a two-game lead in the third set. Can be break Berrettini and take a two-set lead in the final?
21:08 IST: This match has been a roller-coaster. This is how the tournament describes this encounter. Apt, wouldn’t you say?
21:07 IST: A 40-0 game for Berrettini, he trails 3-4 in the third set.
21:05 IST: Advantage, hold and an ace! Djokovic holds on to his service as the crowd goes wild in the arena. He now leads 4-2 in the third set.
21:04 IST: DEUCE! Djokovic is digging deep here. He rallies on the crowd to get behind him. A little gesticulation with his racquet.
21:02 IST: A wild and wide forehand by Djokovic sees him trailing in the fifth game of the third set. He faces a break now.
20:59 IST: “Berrettini has to play a match of a lifetime here,” say commentators on air. He trails 2-3 in the third set.
20:56 IST: Look, who we have here!
20:54 IST: No matter how much Berrettini is pushing Djokovic, he is bouncing back. It has been 22 minutes in the third set and Djokovic is leading 3-1 after holding a service game.
20:50 IST: Djokovic keeps his calm and brings his experience in play as he breaks the Italian to take a 2-1 lead in the third set.
20:44 IST: Djokovic doesn’t waste any time in winning his first service game. Lovely display of tennis from the Serbian.
20:40 IST: Berrettini holds his first service game of the third set. A positive start for the Italian.
20:33 IST: Game on! Novak Djokovic takes the second set 6-4. Is this the moment when he stages a comeback?
20:32 IST: Stat attack:
-Djokovic is 15-14 on grass when losing the first set.
-Djokovic is 9-8 at Wimbledon when losing the first set.
-Djokovic is 1-1 in Wimbledon finals when losing the first set.
-Berrettini is 22-0 on grass when winning the first set.
20:30 IST: This is a brilliant comeback from the Italian. He holds his serve and saves a set point to take the game. He now trails 4-5 in the second set.
20:28 IST: Berrettini is not giving in and has held his service game twice to trail the World No 1 3-5 in the second set. The Italian is showing nerves of steel.
20:08 IST: The World No 1 is being ruthless now, he breaks the Italian twice to take a comfortable 3-0 lead in the second set.
20:02 IST: Novak Djokovic breaks Berrettini early in the second set and then holds his serve to take a 2-0 lead.
19:52 IST: That was a sensational first set performance by Berrettini. After breaking Djokovic back, he saved set points and then forced the game into the tiebreak, where he raked up a 7-4 win. Set one goes to Berrettini.
19:00 IST: After breaking Berrettini and then holding his serve, Djokovic leads the Italian 4-1 in the first set.
18:50 IST: Berrettini holds his serve to draw level in the first set.
18:45 IST: Djokovic holds his serve to win the first game of the first set. That seemed like a nervous start for the World No. 1
18:42 IST: Both players showing nerves of steel as Djokovic begins with the final’s first service game.
18:40 IST: Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini’s battle for the elusive Wimbledon title starts.
In the head-to-head record, the players have met each other two times, with Djokovic emerging victorious as many times. The Italian has an 11-0 this season on the grass having won the Queen’s Club event on the eve of Wimbledon. At the All England Club, he has blasted his way to the final on the back of a tournament-leading 101 aces.
