Djokovic Upsets Nadal To Capture First Wimbledon Trophy

Djokovic wins the Wimbledon trophy to become the new world number one

Novak Djokovic has crowned his world leading position with his first Wimbledon trophy when he stunned defending champion Rafa Nadal in four sets, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in the last term. The 24-year-old has also become the first Serb to hold the world number one place.

Winner of eight titles this season, Djokovic needed nearly two hours and a half to send the Spaniard second in the ATP rankings, hitting six more winners than his opponent and breaking the 25-year-old five times. The first set saw the two best players go head to head until the tenth game when Nole grabbed his first break of the clash, to take the first lead in 41 minutes.

The second set found the same Serb setting the pace and dominating Nadal at all facets. An early break allowed him to go three games ahead with a clean sheet, while the sixth one brought him the third break. Djokovic then held his last service consistently, going two sets ahead in just half an hour. Concerning the third set, it found both players looking much more different than they had looked in the previous two rounds.

Thus, the Spaniard, winner of this term’s French Open, picked an early break in the second game, to go 3-0 ahead of losing pace Nole, who could barely hold one of his three services. Rafa made it 1-2 in 30 minutes as his better tennis was threatening with a consistent late comeback. Another late break helped him to clinch the third term a one.

As for the decider, things started to look the same as in the first two terms. Djokovic woke up from a third-set deception, managing to break his opponent early in the second game, but only to be broken back immediately. Rafa made it 1-2 and stayed in touch with the leveler until the eighth game when Nole drew his victory with his fifth break. He thus made it 5-3, to serve for his third Grand Slam trophy, first in London. Rafa conceded the game at 30, gifting the Serb his second major trophy of the year, after Australian Open.

Djokovic won 73 percent of serve points, compared to Nadal who converted 78. The Serb also finished the game with seven aces, 12 unforced errors and 19 net points won. On the other side, Rafa, who fired just five aces, ended with 15 unforced errors, 21 winners and six net points won.

Nole is winner of the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami Masters, Belgrade, Madrid Masters, Rome Masters and Wimbledon events, while Rafa has only won three titles this year, including the Monte Carlo Masters, Barcelona Open and French Open tournaments.

En route to the final, the Serb had previously beaten Queens finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets in the semis, Australian revelation Bernard Tomic in the quarters, Michael Llodra in straight sets in the fourth term and Marcos Baghdatis in four sets in the third term. The opening day brought him an easy win over Jeremy Chardy and against Kevin Anderson whom Nole defeated in three sets.

As for Nadal’s route, the Spaniard had previously ousted fourth favorite Andy Murray, Mardy Fish in the quarters, and Juan Martin Del Potro in the fourth round. Previous to that wins, he had blanked Gilles Muller of Luxemburg, Ryan Sweeting and Michael Russell in the opening term. The Spaniard leaves London with a 550,00-pound check and 1,200 points ATP, while Djokovic pockets 1,100,000 pounds and 2,000 points ATP.

Said Nole after the game: “It has been the best day of my life, most special day of my life. I always dreamed of winning this tournament. When you are playing the best player in the world, Rafa Nadal, who has won two of last three Wimbledons, I had to be on top of my game and I think I played my best grass-court match ever.”

Wimbledon Prize Money and points:

Winner – 1,100,000 pounds and 2000 points ATP

Runner-up – 550,000 pounds and 1,200 points ATP

Semi finalist – 275,000 pounds and 720 points ATP

Quarter finalist – 137,500 pounds and 360 points ATP

R16 – 68,750 pounds and 180 points ATP

R32 – 34,375 pounds and 90 points ATP

R64 – 20,125 pounds and 45 points ATP

R128 – 11,500 pounds and 10 points ATP