Djokovic ends SA’s Wimbledon dream
Weary Anderson suffers dramatic power failure against resolute Novak
London – Novak Djokovic raced to a fourth Wimbledon title and 13th career Grand Slam crown yesterday when he defeated a battling but exhausted Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).
World No 21 Djokovic added the 2018 title to his wins in 2011, 2014 and 2015 as he became the lowest-ranked champion since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
It also took his Slam total to within one of Pete Sampras and just four behind the 17 of Rafael Nadal who he defeated in the semifinals.
Anderson, who came in as the eighth seed, was the first South African in the final in 97 years and was bidding to become the first man from his country to be crowned a Wimbledon champion.
However, he had spent 21 hours on court getting to the final and that marathon effort came back to haunt him at the worst possible time – despite a late rally when he had five set points in the third set, putting Djokovic under pressure.
Victory was 31-year-old Djokovic’s first at the Majors since he completed the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2016.
Weary Anderson had needed five sets and saved a match point to beat Roger Federer in the last eight.
He then played six hours and 36 minutes to defeat John Isner in the semis in the second longest singles match ever played at a Grand Slam.
It was hardly surprising that he suffered a dramatic power failure in the first two sets against a player who he had defeated only once in six previous meetings and that was 10 years ago.