Djokovic reigns supreme at SW19

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Wimbledon, England (CNN) -- Roger Federer and Eugenie Bouchard, one experienced and the other almost a rookie, started as clear crowd favorites in the men's and women's finals at Wimbledon this weekend.

They went 0-for-2 -- but in contrasting fashion.

After Bouchard was crushed by Petra Kvitova on Saturday, Federer was only just denied a record eighth title at the All England Club by Novak Djokovic in a classic Sunday that saw the duo combine for 143 winners and a smallish 56 unforced errors.

The Serb prevailed 6-7 6-4 7-6 5-7 6-4, disappointing most on Centre Court who backed Federer on every shot -- especially when he fell behind 2-1 in sets.

The higher-profile guests in tennis' grandest arena included David Beckham and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Read: Teen who stunned Nadal goes out

The partisans almost got their way too since Federer had the advantage in the fifth after he rallied from 5-2 down in the fourth, saving a match point with an ace originally called long.

He was thus on the verge of becoming the first man since 1948 to win a Wimbledon final after fending off a match point.

"I kept believing and trying to play offensive tennis," Federer, watched by his young twin daughters, told reporters. "I'm happy it paid off in some instances.

"As you can imagine, I'm very disappointed not being rewarded with victory."

Had Djokovic lost -- and don't forget he entered the record books for the wrong reason last year when he was on the other side of the net as Andy Murray ended a 77-year British drought -- it would have gone down as one of the biggest chokes in grand slam history.

Read: Nadal beats Djokovic in French final

Ultimately, Djokovic also prevented Federer -- a month away from his 33rd birthday -- from becoming the oldest men's Wimbledon champion in the Open Era and claiming a record-extending 18th major.

"I could have easily lost my concentration in the fifth and handed him the win, but I didn't and that's why the win has special importance to me," Djokovic told reporters.

What a match. Wowee. Watching it made me miss lunch and now i go practice hungry. Thanks guys

It might have been the Swiss' last realistic opportunity to capture a grand slam, though he has been brushed aside before only to rebound.

As for Djokovic, with the boost of confidence he's sure to receive by bagging a seventh grand slam crown, he'll be hard to stop at the US Open and beyond.

Perhaps he can replicate his 2011 form, when he won Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open.

"When Novak was No. 1 in 2011, there was no No. 2 or No. 3," Mats Wilander, one of those tied with Djokovic on seven majors, told CNN. "I think Djokovic has the game to not only be No. 1 in the world but remove the challengers that are behind him.

"He has a chance to do that again, especially as the next six, eight, nine months are on his favorite (hard-court) surface. I think he can just run away with things now for the next nine months until we get back to the clay-court season."

Read: Djokovic and Federer in Wimbledon final

Djokovic badly needed this title, as he acknowledged, given he had lost his last five grand slam finals outside Australia. As a bonus, he replaces Nadal as the world No. 1.

The pressure on his coach, Boris Becker, will dip now, if only slightly.

Judging by his shoddy semifinal performance against Grigor Dimitrov, not many would have picked Djokovic to win a second Wimbledon title.

He led by a set then allowed the Bulgarian to find his way into the encounter. It turned into a four-set struggle. Slips on Friday rendered Djokovic frustrated and he took two bad falls Sunday, one necessitating a medical timeout in the fifth.

When Federer broke back early in the fourth set, Djokovic was dragged into another dogfight.

Instead of winning in five sets, Djokovic could have won in three in the pair's 35th meeting and first in a grand slam final since the 2007 US Open.

"I felt like all the sets were very close for me to take," said Djokovic.

Consistently in Federer's service games in the first, Djokovic nonetheless fell behind 3-0 in the tiebreak. He surged, holding a set point on his own serve, but was pegged back to 6-6 with a Federer forehand down the line.

Read: Grass court titles for Federer, Dimitrov

Federer saved another set point with an ace, winning the last three points of the tiebreak.

All the energy -- mentally perhaps more than anything else -- took a toll on Federer and the first break of the match handed Djokovic a 2-1 lead in the second.

It was an advantage he would never relinquish and by the end of the third set, he hadn't been broken.

Prior to Djokovic's meltdown in the fourth, it seemed like the third-set tiebreak would prove pivotal. Federer's forehand went awry and with three misses, Djokovic took that tiebreak 7-4.

Federer's partnership with Stefan Edberg -- one of the best volleyers in tennis history and Becker's rival during their playing days -- has seen him charging forward more.

He enjoyed success at the net in the first set, winning 71% of net points, but the number dwindled to 60% in the second and 50% in the third. The figure rose in the fourth, diminishing in the fifth.

The stage was set for Djokovic in the fourth. Hitting with more zip from the baseline and with Federer losing sting on his serve, he broke for 3-1.

When Federer broke back for 2-3 it was temporary respite since Djokovic upped his game to move to the verge of the Championship at 5-2.

But he faltered trying to serve it out at 5-3, beginning with a forehand error with Federer stranded.

The drama was nothing compared to the 10th game. Down the match point, Federer struck a serve down the middle called long.

Federer -- a traditionalist not in favor of Hawk-Eye when it was introduced -- challenged and to his utter relief, was correct. He held for 5-5.

A predictably out-of-sorts Djokovic immediately dropped serve and Federer sealed the fourth.

"It's really only until the fourth set when I was down a break that I started to understand more how to return him, which was a surprise for me because I've played him that many times," Federer said.

The Great Escape was on.

A toilet break ensued for Djokovic, aiding no doubt to clear his head. He saved the first break point of the fifth at 3-3 with a fine inside-out forehand but was trumped in the next game as Federer saved three -- one thanks to an outstanding low volley.

They ticked on until the 10th game, when Federer buckled. Serving second in the set and now not able to generate free points on his serve, Djokovic pounced.

Federer netted a backhand to Djokovic's joy on a second match point and Djokovic celebrated minutes later by eating the grass a la 2011. He dedicated the win to his late, first coach, Jelena Gencic.

"This has been the best quality grand slam final I've ever been part of," said Djokovic.

For Federer, it was his second loss in a Wimbledon final in nine tries.

"I'm very happy to see that with feeling normal I can produce a performance like I did the last two weeks," said Federer, troubled by a bad back in 2013. "That clearly makes me believe that this was just a steppingstone to many more great things in the future."

To that end, the fans hope to see him in a 10th final next year -- and emerge as the winner.

Read: Kvitova thrashes Bouchard

Via: Djokovic reigns supreme at SW19

Federer claims seventh Halle title

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(CNN) -- Roger Federer tuned up in perfect style ahead of Wimbledon with a straight sets victory over Alejandro Falla to claim his seventh title at Halle.

The 17-time major champion from Switzerland edged a tight encounter with his Colombian opponent 7-6 (2) 7-6 (3) to win on the grass in Germany.

Federer's seventh title means only at Wimbledon has he had as much success, though he'll be hoping to bag an eighth crown in London later this month.

The pair swapped a break each in the opening set before Federer pulled clear in the tiebreak, the second set following a similar pattern.

Read: Twins for Federer... again!

"It is great to have won seven times here," Federer the ATP Tour's official website. "It is very special and I hope to come back here next year, where it is a [ATP World Tour] 500-series event.

"I really enjoy winning titles. It is what I play for, to play and receive a standing ovation at the end. I am very pleased with my performance.

"I work hard and travel the tour to win these titles and not lose in the quarters or semifinals. With all the success I have had in the past, I need to aim for titles. I think I deserved the title this week."

Federer's record at Halle now reads 45 wins and just five defeats. The 32-year-old has also taken his tally of Tour wins to 79.

"In the past, when I have played well at Halle I have usually played well at Wimbledon," added Federer.

"They have been two of my most successful tournaments, so I hope that this title will bring me luck again.

"Last year it didn't work out, but it did many times before. So I hope it will be back to the good old days."

It meant Falla missed the chance to become the first Colombian to win an ATP Tour title since Mauricio Hadad in 1995

Read: Dimitrov claims Acapulco crown

"It's always tough losing a match, especially a final," said Falla. "I wanted to win the title so badly. But when you play Roger in a final, it is always tough. It was a close match.

"I tried my best and fought for every point. I am happy with the way I played today and the tournament overall. I enjoy playing on the grass.

"This tournament gave me a lot of confidence, having won some tough matches."

At Queen's, Grigor Dimitrov -- known as 'Baby Federer' -- claimed his first grass court crown after defeating Spain's Feliciano Lopez in the final at Queen's club.

Theirs was also a tight affair, the Bulgarian being forced to save a match point before eventually prevailing 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 7-6(6).

Dimitrov, the boyfriend of French Open champion Maria Sharapova, held his nerve as the deciding set also went to a tiebreak, prevailing in a little over two-and-a-half hours.

"(Grigor) never gives up, as he showed today," Lopez told the ATP Tour's official website

"I think when you face players like Grigor, you know that even playing the way I played today there is a chance to lose because he's a great player.

"It's tough to lose when you play such a great match. Overall it was a great week for me. It has been a great preparation for Wimbledon, and hopefully in Eastbourne, next week, I can do well again.

"It's true that I'm feeling great. I'm playing good and hopefully I can continue playing like this for the next two or three weeks."

Read: Nadal and Murray upset

Via: Federer claims seventh Halle title

Nadal handed Madrid title

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(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal won his first European clay title of the season and 27th Masters tournament victory of his career at the Madrid Open after his opponent Kei Nishikori was forced to retire through injury.

Nadal had won seven straight games to lead 3-0 in the third set when the match was halted having lost the first set 6-2 and come from a break down to win the second 6-4.

Nishikori had struggled with a back spasm in Saturday's dramatic semifinal victory over Nadal's fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer, and the injury returned to haunt him on Sunday.

Although disappointed to lose his first Masters final in in such an unfortunate manner, the Japanese can take comfort from his performances this week which will see him break into the world top 10 for the first time when the latest rankings are released Monday.

Nishikori out-played Nadal for a set and a half with some aggressive shot making and big winners.

After the trainer was called seven games into the second set, however, it was clear that Nishikori's movement was inhibited.

Nadal capitalized to break twice and level the match at a set apiece.

The third set was an anti-climax by comparison with Nadal easing ahead of his injured opponent before Nishikori decided he couldn't continue.

"I am very disappointed about what happened today in this final," said Nishikori after the match.

"Unfortunately, I was hurting already and I tried to fight but Rafa was too good today, so congratulations to him."

As ever, Nadal was gracious in victory.

"I'm very sorry for Nishikori. He's an unbelievable player that will fight to be in London (at the ATP World Tour Finals)," he said.

"Winning at home is always more special than winning anywhere. Having the chance to play in front of your home crowd... is unforgettable for me," he added.

Sharapova bounces back

Earlier, Maria Sharapova recovered from a horrendous start to defeat Romania's Simona Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 to claim the women's title.

The Russian lost the first four games of the match to the World No. 5 and conceded the first set in less than half-an-hour.

Sharapova turned things around as the game progressed and has now won seven of her last nine titles on a clay, a surface once far from her favorite.

Speaking on court after the match, the 27-year-old said: "Last year I lost in the finals and I really wanted to go one extra step this year, and it's just been such a fantastic week.

"Simona and I had played a couple of times before, but she's really on a different level now (having risen from 64th position in the world rankings this time last year). I don't know how I pulled it off."

Via: Nadal handed Madrid title

One of Nadal's 'toughest' moments

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(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal battled for nearly six hours with Novak Djokovic at the 2012 Australian Open, the longest grand slam final in history.

Seemingly on the verge of exiting in the fourth set, Nadal rallied and then led by a break in the fifth before his Serbian opponent ultimately had the last word.

When the bruising slugfest was over, in an unusual move, the players were given chairs during the trophy presentation.

Nadal's loss to Stanislas Wawrinka this January in the Australian Open final featured a more routine looking scoreline and lasted a shade over two hours, so nowhere near as tiring -- but the world No. 1 says it was tougher to deal with than the reverse to Djokovic.

That's because Nadal hurt his back in the warm-up and wasn't able to compete at 100%.

The injury, coupled with Wawrinka's play, led to the Swiss claiming his first grand slam title. Nadal was the heavy favorite pre-match, owning a 12-0 head-to-head record without dropping a set.

"It was one of the toughest moments in my career," Nadal was quoted as saying by the ATP's website Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open. "It was tough being there for 90 minutes knowing that you will not win. But not winning was not the worst thing. The worst thing was knowing I could not compete.

"When you are losing and competing, that's part of sport. This loss was worse for me than 2012 and the six hours against Novak. I did everything right to be there and compete in the final, and I couldn't. Wawrinka was playing unbelievable. I don't know if I would have had the chance to win that match because he was playing amazing."

Nadal admitted it took a while for him to get the loss out of his system.

"I am a great loser," he said. "Normally after a few hours I forget about the losses and look straight to the next thing, but after this tournament it took a little bit more time."

The back still not recovered, Nadal skipped an event in Argentina last month but returned -- and won -- in Brazil.

He says the back is now "healthy," bad news for his opponents in the California desert.

It's Nadal's most successful hard-court Masters tournament, having won in Indian Wells three times and only failing to reach the semifinals once.

Last year Nadal triumphed not long after his comeback from a serious knee injury.

"It was one of my most special titles," he said.

Nadal faces a tricky draw, however, with Wawrinka, Roger Federer and Andy Murray in his half.

Azarenka uncertain

Meanwhile in the women's draw, two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka played down her chances after only recently recovering from a foot injury. Azarenka was forced to wear a protective boot so the foot could heal.

"When you hear for the first time from the doctor, 'You've got to wear a boot for three weeks,' and the tournament is in four and a half weeks you're like, 'Okay, well, we'll see how it goes.'

"What I expect for myself is to fight for every ball. The rest is a little bit of an unknown for me right now.

"The first match is going to happen. I'm going to go out there and I'm going to play. The most important thing for me is that my foot feels good."

Azarenka -- a walkover in Indian Wells last year after retiring in 2011 -- begins against American Lauren Davis.

Read: Wawrinka ousts ailing Nadal

Read: Azarenka upset in Melbourne

Via: One of Nadal's 'toughest' moments

Djokovic claims 4th Miami title

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(CNN) -- Novak Djokovic has claimed a fourth Miami Masters title after an emphatic straight sets win over his old rival Rafael Nadal at Crandon Park.

The Serb was at his ruthless best in Sunday's final wearing down the world No. 1 to win 6-3 6-3 in one hour 24 minutes.

The title was Djokovic's 43rd of his career and follows his recent triumph at Indian Wells where he beat Roger Federer in three sets.

It was the 40th time Djokovic and Nadal had met during their careers and while the Spaniard still has the edge overall -- 22 wins to Djokovic's 18 -- the Serb has now extended his advantage on hard courts to 14-7 against Nadal.

What was expected to be a close match ended up being one-way traffic as Djokovic outplayed his opponent.

Parity lasted for five games before the world No. 2 broke serve in the sixth.

Realizing the danger, Nadal redoubled his efforts in the next, taking Djokovic to deuce before the Serb stepped up a gear to open up a 5-2 lead.

It was too much for Nadal to recover and when the Spaniard lost his serve in the opening game of the second, the match could have slid away more easily than it did.

The world No. 1 stuck at his task but in the end couldn't find a way through Djokovic's watertight defenses.

Scenting victory Djokovic pounced in the ninth game, attacking Nadal's serve and setting up match two points.

He completed proceedings in style getting the upper hand in a stunning final rally before collapsing in celebration.

"It's been a fantastic tournament, a very enjoyable time as it always is in Miami," said Djokovic.

"I played a great match, from the start to the end everything was working really well. It's always a challenge and a pleasure to play against Rafa.

"Back in 2007 I won my first big title here in Miami and I have the greatest memories from this center court."

Djokovic didn't drop a set (although he did have two walkovers) in winning his third Miami title in four years while Nadal is still searching for a first after finishing runner-up for a fourth time.

Hingis doubles joy

There was joy for Martina Hingis earlier in the day as she won the women's double title alongside partner Sabine Lisicki from Germany.

The pair overcame Russia's Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 4-6 6-4 10-5 in Sunday's final.

Hingis, 33, made the most of hers and Lisicki's wild-card entry to Miami after returning to doubles action at Indian Wells earlier this month.

The win is Hingis' third in the doubles at Miami -- she won in 1998 and 1999 wth Jana Novotna -- and her first for seven years.

Read more: Serena seals record seventh Miami title

Via: Djokovic claims 4th Miami title

Del Potro to miss rest of season?

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(CNN) -- Juan Martin del Potro is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the world No. 8 announced he will undergo wrist surgery on Monday.

The 2009 U.S. Open champion, who needs surgery to fix a problem with his left wrist, had a similar operation on his right wrist in 2010 and was subsequently out for eight months.

The Argentine first felt pain in his left wrist in August 2012 and he took painkillers to deal with the injury at last year's U.S. Open.

But the problem resurfaced at January's Australian Open, the first grand slam of 2014, where Del Potro lost in the second round to Roberto Bautista Agut.

"I want to tell you that after a period of medical treatment, in which we tried to be competitive on a tennis court, and following new examinations done today, my doctor Richard Berger, decided that I should have surgery to fix the problem on my left wrist," the 25-year-old said on his official Facebook page.

"Obviously, it's not the easiest choice or the happiest moment of my career. I experienced a similar situation and I know how hard it is to be out of the tour, the desire to return, the endless weeks of recovery and how difficult it is to start fighting for the top spots in the rankings again."

Since returning from his right wrist injury in 2010, Del Potro has claimed 11 titles -- most recently defeating Bernard Tomic to win January's Sydney International event.

"As always, thank you to those who express their support in any part of Argentina and the world, during tournaments, on the streets or social networks," added Del Potro.

"The strength you send me and my desire will be crucial during my recovery."

The highlight of Del Potro's career so far came at Flushing Meadows five years ago, when he beat Roger Federer in five sets to win his first grand slam title.

Read: Andy Murray cuts ties with coach Ivan Lendl

Via: Del Potro to miss rest of season?

'Toughest conditions I've played in'

(CNN) -- The toughest conditions she has ever played in. That's how one of tennis' biggest stars described this year's scorched Australian Open.

And it's not hard to see why.

With temperatures in excess of 40 degrees, and after four days of players fainting, vomiting and tirelessly icing themselves to keep cool, Li Na was feeling hot and flustered.

The fourth seed, a runner-up at last year's Melbourne grand slam, was facing match point and a shock early exit at the hands of world No. 26 Lucie Safarova.

But the Czech sent a backhand five centimeters long of the baseline, letting Li back in to take a second-set tie break and then take advantage of the extreme heat contingency plan.

In light of the oppressive weather, tournament organizers have allowed for an extra 10 minutes between the second and third sets of women's matches, a break which rejuvenated the 2011 French Open champion.

Read: Del Potro feels the heat in Melbourne

"After the second set, lucky thing we had the 10 minute break," China's Li told reporters after her 1-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory set up a fourth round match with Russia Ekaterina Makarova.

"I think five centimeters saved my tournament. If she hit it in, I think me and my whole team would be on our way to the airport now.

"At least I won the match, and I'm still in the tournament now. It was a difficult day for me but I was really happy with the way I was fighting on the court from the first point until the last point."

While Li Na went to cool down, tournament doctor Tim Wood had defended organizers' refusal to halt play during the sunniest parts of the day, saying that, while playing in the heat might be terribly uncomfortable, human beings "evolved on the high plains of Africa chasing antelope for eight hours under these conditions.

"There will be some players who complain and no-one is saying it is terribly comfortable to play out there, but, from a medical perspective, we know that man is well adapted to exercising in the heat. Whether it is humane or not is a whole other issue," Wood told the BBC.

Words that might not be music to Britain's Jamie Murray's ears, who was treated for heatstroke.

Whatever the conditions, world No. 1 Serena Williams continues her peerless dominance of the women's game.

The top seed has now won more matches at the Australian Open than any other woman in history after registering her 61st success at Melbourne Park by beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-3.

"I feel good to have gotten through that one because it was tough conditions out there, but I was happy to win," said the 32-year-old.

"Today actually wasn't as hot. I think it was hotter yesterday. So it wasn't as bad today. Honestly, on the one end I felt it was like a cool breeze coming over, so that was a good sign."

Williams' fourth round opponent will be the resurgent Ana Ivanovic, who reached the fourth round after coming from one set down to end Australian Samantha Stosur's hopes of a home grand slam triumph.

In the men's draw, defending champion Novak Djokovic remained on course for his fourth Australian Open title in a row as he eased into the fourth round with a 6-3 6-3 7-5 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

"I feel better on the court as the tournament is progressing," Djokovic, who played under the cool conditions of the Rod Laver Arena's closed roof, told reporters.

"Of course, I played three matches in different conditions. The roof was closed and the temperature dropped by at least 10 degrees, and you could feel that. It affected the play, it was much slower."

Victory for the Serbian, who won his first grand slam in Melbourne in 2008, sets up a meeting with his old friend Fabio Fognini, after the Italian beat American Sam Querrey.

"I'm going to try to win against him regardless of whether he's a friend or not," Djokovic continued. "I have a real friendship with him for more than 10 years but once we get on court we're both professionals and we want to win."

Spanish third seed David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, the Czech seventh seed, and South African Kevin Anderson also booked their places in the next round of the sizzling Australian Open.

Via: 'Toughest conditions I've played in'