Federer Topples World No. 1 Djokovic to Reach Eighth Wimbledon Final

World No. 3 Roger Federer beat defending Wimbledon Champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, to reach his eighth career Wimbledon final.

Under the closed roof, Federer struck 12 aces, no double-faults, 31 winners, and just 10 unforced errors in the match, to Djokovic’s nine aces, two double-faults, 28 winners, and 21 unforced errors.

“I think overall the surface made the match play differently and potentially in my favor,” Federer said. “I was able to be very aggressive, particularly once I did get into the third set where I thought we both played our very best. Now looking back, that was obviously the key to the match.”

“I’ve worked extremely hard since I lost that match point against Novak last year at the US Open. My run has been extremely good. Now I have a chance at world No. 1, at the title again all at once. So it’s a big match for me and I hope I can keep my nerves. I’m sure I can. Then hopefully win the match. But we’ll see about that.”

“He played well,” Djokovic said. “No question about it. He was the better player. In the important moments he was aggressive, you know, hitting from both sides. Obviously that’s what you expect when you play against Roger at the final four of a Grand Slam. I knew that. I expected him to be at the top level, but I expected myself, as well.”

“I needed to be very consistent in order to win this match; I wasn’t. I had ups and downs throughout the match. Unfortunately the one that lasted for, what, 15, 20 minutes, end of the third, beginning of the fourth, cost me the win today.”

Federer will face Andy Murray in the final for a chance to become World No. 1 again, and to win a record 17th Major title.