Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer: A Long Fun Rivalry

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Number one and number two ranked tennis players in the world Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will meet again for the thirty-ninth time at the 2015 Rome Open on Sunday. The two have shared a great long and fun rivalry and both can easily beat the other depending on the day. This is a match that will be a great one to watch, unlike the earlier ones today between Djokovic and David Ferrer along with the short somewhat boring one between the Swiss maestro and Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic prevailed over the Swiss in their most recent meeting in Indian Wells to claim his fourth title there. Since then, the Serb hoisted the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies in Miami and Monte-Carlo.

Despite the loss to Djokovic in March, Federer still leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series at 20-18.

Below is a history of the pair’s 38 matches.

2015 BNP Paribas Open final, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 63 67(5) 62
In a rematch of the 2014 final, Novak Djokovic fended off Roger Federer again to win his fourth title in Indian Wells. Neither had dropped a set en route to their 38th meeting, and the Serb withstood nerves and wild momentum shifts to successfully defend his title with a two hour, 17-minute victory.

The win clinched Djokovic’s 50th ATP World Tour title and his 21st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.

“I thought overall it was a great match from my side, very solid, great intensity, great commitment to hit every ball,” said Djokovic. “I was very focused in the present moment.”

2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final, Dubai, hard, Federer d. Djokovic 63 75
Federer captured a seventh crown at a third different tournament in hoisting the Dubai trophy, defeating Djokovic to retain the title. The 33-year-old Swiss, who was contesting his ninth final in 12 visits to this ATP World Tour 500 hard-court tournament, improved his overall tour-level finals record to 84-42.

Federer served four aces in the 37-minute opener and became the fourth player (since 1991) to hit 9000 aces when he fired down a service winner at the start of the sixth game of the second set. He would pounce in the 11th game, breaking Djokovic with a forehand winner to lead 6-5. Federer faltered slightly serving for the match and was forced to save a seventh break point, before sealing victory at the second time of asking in 84 minutes.

“I think it’s really become a very nice rivalry,” said Federer. “I think we play very nicely against each other, and it seems people like the way we play against each other, as well. I don’t think we have to adjust our games very much against each other, which I think is nice, as well. We can just play our game, and then the better man wins.”

2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters semi-final, Shanghai, hard, Federer d. Djokovic 64 64
Federer snapped two-time defending champion Djokovic’s 28-match winning streak on Chinese soil as he reached his 39th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final and second in Shanghai. The win brought the Swiss back to No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Federer needed just one break point to take the lead and eventually the first set in 48 minutes. The 22-time Masters 1000 champion broke the World No. 1 again in the opening game of the second set and maintained the one-game lead. The Serbian saved two match points on his serve before Federer served out the match in one hour and 35 minutes.

2014 Wimbledon Final, Grand Slam, London, grass, Djokovic d. Federer 67(7) 64 76(4) 57 64
Djokovic and Federer staged yet another Grand Slam thriller, with the Serb overcoming a rollercoaster fourth set to claim his second Wimbledon title and seventh crown at the major level. Djokovic returned to World No. 1 with the win, embarking on his third stint atop the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Federer’s resiliency was on full display in his ninth Wimbledon final, saving a championship point in the fourth set, while reeling off five consecutive games from 2-5 down. The momentum swung to his corner as he forced a deciding set, with the Centre Court faithful roaring in approval of the high-quality affair. Djokovic would not be denied, however, as the top seed converted his fourth break of serve for the victory after three hours and 56 minutes.

The 27-year-old Djokovic turned the tide in Grand Slam finals, having lost five of his past six coming into the Wimbledon final. He lifted the trophy at the All England Club for the second time, having previously triumphed in 2011 with victory over Nadal.

2014 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters semi-final, Monte-Carlo, clay, Federer d. Djokovic 75 62
Federer ended Djokovic’s reign in Monte-Carlo with victory in 75 minutes. Djokovic, who saw his 13-match winning run come to an end, had completed the Indian Wells-Miami double the previous month. After missing the chance to break Djokovic at 4-4 in the first set, Federer found himself in trouble as he faced two set points at 15/40 on serve in the 10th game. The Basel native held on, though, and then clawed his way back from 40/0 down on Djokovic’s serve in the following game to break the Serb and steal the set. With Djokovic hampered by an injured right wrist, which was heavily strapped, Federer took full advantage and broke the Serb twice to prevail. He lost just five points on serve in the second set.

2014 BNP Paribas Open final, Indian Wells, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 36 63 76(3)
Novak Djokovic rallied past Roger Federer for his first title of the year and third at Indian Wells. Djokovic and Federer were squaring off for the 33rd time, with the second-seeded Serb snapping Federer’s 11-match win streak. After failing to serve out the victory at 5-4 in the third set, Djokovic came back strong in the tie-break to defeat the four-time champion. The 26 year old claimed his 42nd title and 17th at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, tying American Andre Agassi at third on the Masters 1000 title leaders list.

2014 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals, Dubai, hard, Federer d. Djokovic 36 63 62
It was a hyper aggressive Roger Federerwho ended a three-match losing run againstNovak Djokovic, defeating the Serb for the first time since the 2012 Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati. Despite losing the first set, the Swiss hit his backhand with conviction and attacked the net frequently. He took advantage of a brief rain delay in the second set to come back strongly. The five-time Dubai titlist broke Djokovic before dominating the decider with two further service breaks. It was the first time that Federer has lost the first set against Djokovic and rallied to win. Victory for Federer denied Djokovic, a four-time champion at the Aviation Club, the 550th match win of his career and earned the Swiss a shot at winning his 78th tour-level title.

2013 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals round robin, London, indoor hard, Djokovic d. Federer 64 67(2) 62
A repeat of the 2012 final in London, Djokovic and Federer squared off for the second time in just four days after not meeting in nearly a year. Playing in his fifth match in six days, all against Top 15 competition, the Serb extended his overall winning streak to 18 straight after a two hour and 22 minute struggle. Federer opened the match in strong form, winning free points on his serve and taking the ball early in rallies, disrupting Djokovic’s timing. The Swiss was unable to convert on a break point at 4-4 in the first set, however, and his focus drifted at a crucial juncture in the next game, handing the set to Djokovic when a forehand sailed long.

Djokovic struggled with his balance and footwork in the second set and a bevy of loose forehands opened the door for Federer. Four combined breaks of serve in six games towards the end of the set led to a tie-break, which Federer would dominate.

With neither player able to capitalise on momentum shifts, Djokovic opened the third set with a break at love and never looked back, breaking again for 4-1. Despite a few wayward games in the second set, Djokovic dominated on his serve throughout the match, particularly on his second serve. Additionally, when his offensive firepower was missing he drew on his defensive prowess to win points.

2013 BNP Paribas Masters semi-finals, Paris, indoor hard, Djokovic d. Federer 46 63 62
Djokovic and Federer renewed their rivalry in Paris, dueling for just the first time in 2013 after facing off a total of 20 times in the previous four years. The Swiss sprinted to a fast start, breaking for a 2-1 lead and saving four break points in the 10th game before snatching the opening set. Federer’s hopes of reaching a second final in Paris were further buoyed by an immediate break to open the second set. Djokovic would dig deep, however, breaking back and claiming 12 of the next 16 games for the victory in two hours. The Serb kept his slim hopes alive to retain the year-end World No. 1 with the win, improving his winning streak on indoor hard courts to 19 straight.

2012 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals final, London, indoor hard, Djokovic d. Federer 76(6) 75
It was a match that could just have easily seen Federer the victor in straight sets. The Swiss, who was hunting for a seventh title at the year-end championships, led by a service break in both sets and had two chances to level the match when he led 5-4, 40/15 in the second set. Djokovic would not be cowed. The Serb screamed in celebration as he levelled at 5-5 after Federer struck a forehand long and went onto win the final two games of the match to claim a dramatic victory in two hours and 14 minutes. The 25 year old fired a backhand pass down the line on match point and pumped his chest as a capacity 17,800 spectators erupted in applause.

2012 Western & Southern Open final, ATP World Tour Masters 1000, hard, Federer d. Djokovic 60 76(7)
Neither player had dropped serve entering the match, but Roger Federerbroke Novak Djokovic in the opening game and stormed to a one-set lead in just 20 minutes – his first bagel set in 28 meetings with the Serbian (82 sets). The 25-year-old Serbian settled into the second set to force a tie-break, and held set point at 7-6, but Federer wiped it away with an aggressive tactic at the net and cracked back-to-back forehand winners to claim victory in 80 minutes. With the victory, Federer tied Rafael Nadal for the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns with 21 and became the first player in the Open Era to win five Cincinnati trophies.

2012 Wimbledon Semi-final, Grand Slam, London, grass, Federer d. Djokovic 63 36 64 63
Under a closed roof, Roger Federer broke serve in the sixth game, and went onto clinch the 24-minute first set having committed just two unforced errors. Djokovic raised his game with tennis of the highest quality to seal the 30-minute second set. The temperature gauge increased at 2-3, in the third set, when Djokovic weathered a storm, winning 23-and-25-stroke rallies in a dramatic eight-minute game. Federer survived his own wobble, but was able to win the set. The Swiss maintained his dominance in the fourth set, opening up a 3-0 lead, to book a place in his 24th major championship final (16-7 overall). It also gave Federer a shot at reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking should he win his eighth Wimbledon final.

2012 Roland Garros Semi-final, Grand Slam, Paris, clay, Djokovic d. Federer 64 75 63
Novak Djokovic gained a shot at history by reaching his first Roland Garros final. In a match played in overcast and often windy conditions, the pair exchanged service breaks midway through the first set, before Djokovic began to unpick Federer’s aggressive game plan. Djokovic sealed the 34-minute first set, having committed just three unforced errors. Federer raced into a 3-0 second-set lead, but later on he failed to convert three break point opportunities for a 5-2 lead. Federer served for the set at 5-4, but Djokovic won three straight games. Federer won 14 of his 35 service points in the 53-minute set. Federer’s first serve percentage dropped dramatically in the third set. Djokovic broke for 4-2 and went onto hit an unreturned serve to complete victory in two hours and five minutes. It gave the top seed an opportunity to become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles.

2012 Internazionali BNL d’Italia Semi-final, ATP World Tour Masters 1000, Rome, clay, Djokovic d. Federer 62 76(4)
Novak Djokovic controlled the majority of the clash, untilRoger Federer fought back at 2-6, 4-5, 0/30. The Swiss denied Djokovic his first opportunity to close out the match, converting his only service break to level the second set at 5-5 after saving a match point. But Djokovic regained his composure in the ensuing tie-break, capitalising on an early mini-break advantage to seal the final four victory in one hour and 40 minutes. “Here he was winning convincingly in all his matches, so I knew he was in good form,” said Djokovic. “I needed to step in the match, believing I could win. I played really good from the beginning to the end.”

2011 US Open Semi-final, Grand Slam, New York, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 67(7) 46 63 62 75
A year earlier the pair had contested a thrilling semi-final at the US Open, which sawNovak Djokovic save two match points to deny Roger Federer a place in his sixth successive final in New York. If possible, their 24th contest was even better. Federer was too strong for his Serbian opponent in the early stages, opening up a commanding two-set lead after one hour and 51 minutes. Djokovic began his comeback with a service break at the start of the third set and again broke down the Swiss’ defences in the first game of the fourth set. Largely impenetrable on serve, Djokovic broke Federer once more to force a decider. Federer regained his composure to break Djokovic’s serve in the eighth game of the fifth set and was on the brink of victory when he led 5-3, 40/15. He was unable to convert either of his match points, though, and Djokovic reeled off the final four games to complete a dramatic comeback. “It was a very similar situation to last year,” acknowledged Djokovic. “I had to take my chances. I was very close to being on my way back home. It was an incredible last two games.” It was the second time in his career that Djokovic had won from two sets down, and it was just the second time that Federer had surrendered a two-set lead in a Grand Slam match – the first occasioning just two months earlier against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

2011 Roland Garros Semi-final, Grand Slam, Paris, clay, Federer d. Djokovic 76(5) 63 36 76(5)
Roger Federer snapped a three-match losing run against Novak Djokovic and ended the Serb’s remarkable 2011 winning streak at 41 matches as he prevailed in their Roland Garros semi-final clash. The standard of tennis was exceptional in the 70-minute first set, which Federer won in a tie-break after saving two set points at 4-5. The Swiss then swiftly opened up a 4-1 advantage in the second set as he took a commanding lead in the encounter. Djokovic capitalised on a slight dip in Federer’s standard at the start of the third set and went up 3-0 as he attempted to become the first player in 175 attempts to beat Federer from two sets down in a Grand Slam match. Having closed out the 37-minute third set, Djokovic served for the fourth set at 5-4, but Federer clawed his way back to force a tie-break. Djokovic cancelled out Federer’s early advantage in the tie-break, but from 3-3, Federer won three straight points including two aces. Djokovic saved two match points, but Federer closed out victory with his 18th ace of the match at 9:37 p.m. local time. “I really wanted to make it as physical as possible, which I was able to make happen,” Federer said. “I was really happy with the way I played. I thought it was a great match from both sides.”

2011 BNP Paribas Open Semi-final, ATP World Tour Masters 1000, Indian Wells, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 63 36 62
The World No. 2 ranking was on the line when Novak Djokovic and Roger Federersquared off in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals. After dropping serve twice to lose the second set – marking just the fourth set he had lost since December (45-4 in sets) – Djokovic opened the third with a break of serve. He double-faulted on triple break point chance for Federer to concede the lead, 2-2, but the Swiss returned the favour in the next game. Federer lost 11 straight points from up 40/15 in the fifth game, including a double-fault on break point, and Djokovic secured one more break before serving out the match. “It was a very close match, so up to the last point you really couldn’t say who’s gonna take the win out of today’s match,” said Djokovic. “A lot of emotions. You could feel the intensity and I guess the pressure with both of us.” It was his third successive victory over Federer and guaranteed him the No. 2 spot in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings.

2011 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Final, ATP World Tour 500, Dubai, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 63 63
Novak Djokovic went into his 21st clash with Roger Federer in the Dubai final with the confidence of having beaten the Swiss just over four weeks earlier in the semi-finals of theAustralian Open. The Serb quickly signalled his intent by breaking Federer’s serve in the third game of the match. Sublime on serve throughout the opener, Djokovic relinquished just four points, and the pressure told on Federer as he succumbed again in the ninth game. Federer stepped up and produced tighter tennis in the second set and was rewarded with a break of serve in the third game. However, the Swiss was unable to maintain his lead as Djokovic levelled in the sixth game. From there Djokovic quickly pulled away as Federer again lapsed into inconsistency on the backhand wing. A mistake from the Swiss cost him his serve in the eighth game and Djokovic clinched victory in 71 minutes. Victory saw Djokovic crowned Dubai champion for the third year in a row. “This match has probably been one of the best that I played this year,” said Djokovic. “To be able to win against Roger in straight sets as I did tonight is incredible, but I want to keep on going.”

2011 Australian Open Semi-final, Grand Slam, Melbourne, hard, Djokovic d. Federer 76(3) 75 64
After suffering a resounding defeat at Roger Federer’s hands in their last meeting at theBarclays ATP World Tour Finals, Novak Djokovic came out with a point to prove when the pair contested the Australian Open semi-finals two months later. With neither player able to engineer a breakthrough in the first set, Djokovic took control of the tie-break, battering Federer into submission with his powerful baseline play. Breaks were exchanged early in the second set before Federer raised his level to establish a 5-2 lead. The Swiss was unable to serve out the set, though, and was made to rue his missed opportunity as Djokovic reeled off five straight games for a two-set lead. Federer rallied from an early break deficit in the third set, but the comeback went no further as Djokovic won the final two games from 4-4 to claim victory in three hours. “Overall, it was a great performance,” said Djokovic. “I’m very happy with the way I played. I knew that I had to use my chances.” Djokovic had also defeated Federer in straight sets in the 2008Australian Open semi-finals, which was the last time Federer had lost a Grand Slam match on hard court in straight sets.

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