Djokovic wins 4th Wimbledon by beating Anderson in 3 sets

LONDON (AP) -- Novak Djokovic is back at his best and the Wimbledon champion for a fourth time, grabbing a lead right away against a weary Kevin Anderson in the final and winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) on Sunday.

Anderson nearly managed to extend the match, holding five set points to force a fourth set. Djokovic held steady, saving all five of those, then was as superior in the tiebreaker as he was most of the sun-drenched afternoon.

It is Djokovic's 13th major trophy, the fourth-highest total in the history of men's tennis.

But it's also his first in more than two years.

During that time, Djokovic struggled with a painful right elbow that eventually required surgery and as his losses accumulated, his ranking fell out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade. He grew so frustrated with his form that he spoke about skipping the grass-court circuit.

Fortunately for him, he changed his mind.

Wimbledon 2018 — Novak Djokovic advances to men’s final vs. Kevin Anderson

LONDON — Novak Djokovic will play for his fourth Wimbledon title after beating world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in a five-set semifinal match that took an additional day to finish.

Within the 53rd profession assembly between the 2 gamers, Djokovic, the No. 12 seed, held on for a 6-Four, Three-6, 7-6 (9), Three-6, 10-Eight victory Saturday on Centre Courtroom on the All England Membership.

Djokovic, who has 12 Grand Slam titles, hasn’t gained a significant in additional than two years, coping with an injured proper elbow that was so painful in 2017 he stop his quarterfinal at Wimbledon and sat out the remainder of the season. He had surgical procedure in February.

With each Kevin Anderson and John Isner exhausted from their mammoth efforts throughout Friday’s Wimbledon semifinal match, each gamers known as for the introduction of fifth-set tiebreakers in any respect Grand Slam tournaments.

Angelique Kerber beats Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3 to win Wimbledon

Angelique Kerber was not about to be overwhelmed by the setting or the stakes in this Wimbledon final. She knew exactly what to expect -- and what to do -- against Serena Williams.

Two years after losing to Williams with a title on the line at Centre Court , Kerber came through. So steady, so patient, so accurate throughout, she never really gave Williams much of a chance this time, putting together a 6-3, 6-3 victory Saturday for her first championship at the All England Club and third major overall.

"I think it's the experience. You have to go through all the things -- the good things, the bad things -- and then you need to learn," said Kerber, the first German to win Wimbledon since Steffi Graf in 1996.

"I know that against Serena, I have to play my best tennis, especially in the important moments," said Kerber, who won the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2016, but was the runner-up to Williams at Wimbledon that season, "especially in the important moments."

That's just what she did.

"Angelique played really well," Williams said. "She played out of her mind."

Kerber made only five unforced errors the entire match, 19 fewer than Williams. Perhaps more impressive was this: She broke Williams in 4 of 9 service games.

In doing so, Kerber prevented Williams from claiming an eighth title at Wimbledon and 24th from all Grand Slam tournaments , which would have equaled Margaret Court's record. As things stand, Williams holds the mark for the half-century of professional tennis, one ahead of Kerber's idol, Graf.

Williams gave birth only 10 months ago, then was treated for blood clots . She wore special compression leggings as a precaution during Wimbledon, just the fourth tournament of her comeback.

After all the time away, Williams spoke about being impressed with herself for just reaching the final. She also wanted to win, of course.

"To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today -- and I tried," said the 36-year-old American, her voice shaking during the trophy ceremony.

Kerber addressed Williams during the on-court interviews, saying: "You're such an inspiration for everybody, for all of us. I'm sure you will have your next Grand Slam title soon. I'm really, really sure."

Wimbledon 2018 Highlights: Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win 3rd Grand Slam title

Wimbledon 2018 Highlights: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in epic 2-day semifinal