Djokovic, Halep victorious at Wimbledon

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic outlasted Switzerland’s Roger Federer in London Sunday, defending his men’s singles title in the longest championship match ever played at Wimbledon. It was Djokovic’s fifth victory at Wimbledon and his 16th major title. “Unfortunately, in these kinds of matches, one of the players has to lose,” he said. “It’s quite unreal.”

Federer at age 37 was trying to become the oldest man to win a men’s Grand Slam singles title in the professional tennis era. But the 32-year-old Djokovic, ranked No. 1 in the world, bested Federer under Wimbledon’s new rules that require a tiebreaker when the final set reaches 12-12. Even so, the final match lasted a record four hours and 55 minutes. “I just feel like it’s such an incredible opportunity missed,” Federer said. “I can’t believe it.”

On Saturday, Simona Halep of Romania defeated American Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2, in the women’s singles final, denying Williams a record-tying 24th major title. Halep made only three unforced errors during the match, compared to Williams’ 26, earning her a second Grand Slam title after last year’s win at the French Open. “I’m very sure that was the best match of my life,” Halep said.