Live updates: Novak Djokovic wins first set against Roger Federer in a tiebreak - The Washington Post

Novak Djokovic is facing off with Roger Federer once again. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Ava Wallace

Reporter covering local colleges and universities

July 14 at 10:14 AM

We are underway from Wimbledon.

Match highlights

by Ava Wallace in Washington

First set: Djokovic wins in a tiebreak, 6-6 (7-5)

After 12 straight holds of service, Federer sent a rare backhand wide and Djokovic took the first set in a tiebreak. It was the pair’s 25th tiebreak in their career meetings and Djokovic now owns the edge, 13-12, in addition to a one-set lead. Down 5-3 in the tiebreak, he won the final four points to get ahead.

First set: Even at 3-3

Both players held serve in the opening games of this first set of their 48th meeting, so let’s talk about who’s watching in the Royal Box.

The Duchess of Cambridge is back for round two (she’s a royal patron of the All England Club and besides that a big tennis fan), this time with her husband William, Duke of Cambridge. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is up there as well, along with a host of past Wimbledon champions including Rod Laver, Stefan Edberg and Chris Evert. Actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Edward Norton are present, too.

What you need to know

Wimbledon comes to a close Sunday with the top-seeded man (some guy named Novak Djokovic) facing off against the second-seeded man (a person known as Roger Federer) for the title. Both players, in their 48th meeting, will try to add to already impressive hauls in their respective careers: Federer is aiming for his 21st career major title and ninth Wimbledon title, and Djokovic is going for his 16th major title and fifth at the All-England Club. He’s also trying to win back-to-back Wimbledon titles for the second time in his career.

Federer, who turns 38 next month, reached another milestone when he defeated Rafael Nadal in four tense sets Friday to become the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon final since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall lost to Jimmy Connors in 1974.

His task now is not enviable. He must regroup in time to face another indefatigable defender in Djokovic, the Serbian who owns a 2-1 edge over Federer in Wimbledon finals (he won in 2014 and 2015) and a 25-22 record — there’s a reason the Swiss star has never been able to beat Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back in a Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic, though he apparently had trouble with his focus in his four-set semifinal win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday, likely enters Sunday’s final with the fresher pair of legs.

No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic vs. No. 2 seed Roger Federer, 9 a.m.

TV: ESPN.

Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN App. ESPN3 will offer the “Wimbledon Multicam,” with boxes focusing on each player, online and on the ESPN app.

Read more:

Playing ‘the best match of my life,’ Simona Halep dominates Serena Williams for Wimbledon title

Serena Williams finds her path to history narrowing to a tightrope

Shining brighter in twilight, Federer downs Nadal, and next faces Djokovic

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