Dramatic five-setters are contagious at this year’s Wimbledon Championships.

First, it was Kevin Anderson stunning Roger Federer and outlasting John Isner to reach his second major final. Then, Novak Djokovic survived Rafael Nadal in a two-day thriller. And later on Saturday, it would be the doubles guys joining the marathon party.

As day turned to dusk at Wimbledon, seventh seeds Mike Bryan and Jack Sock survived Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 after nearly four hours to take the doubles championship. Appearing in just their second tournament together, the all-American team captured the crown in dramatic fashion. It was their third five-set victory of the fortnight.

Bryan, who was competing at the All England Club for the first time with someone other than his brother Bob Bryan, due to the younger twin’s hip injury, became the oldest man in the Open Era to win the Wimbledon doubles title. The 40-year-old also added a record-tying 17th Grand Slam doubles crown in total, joining Aussie legend John Newcombe atop the list.

For Sock, it was the 25-year-old’s second major title, following his maiden triumph with Vasek Pospisil at Wimbledon in 2014. With the win, Bryan and Sock become the third and fourth players to triumph at the All England Club with multiple partners in the Open Era, joining only Todd Woodbridge (w/Woodforde & Bjorkman) and John McEnroe (w/Fleming & Stich).

The drama boiled over on Centre Court on Saturday evening. Sock dictated with his biggest weapon in the first set, riding his forehand as he and Bryan took the opener 6-3. The former champions looked to be in prime position to run away with the final showdown, but after saving three break points midway through the second set, Klaasen and Venus showed their mettle.

The South African-Kiwi duo denied a set point en route to snatching the second set tie-break 9/7, as a Klaasen drop volley winner would draw the match level. It would prove to be a seesaw affair, with the lead vacillating from one side to the other. Sock pummeled his forehand down the line in the third set, forcing an error from Venus to grab an immediate break for 2-0. But after taking a two-sets-to-one advantage, the all-American tandem conceded the lead once again. 

With Bryan serving to stay in the fourth set at 5-6, the 40-year-old saved a trio of break points – including one on an ace and another on a sublime drop volley by Sock – before surrendering the set in dramatic fashion. A foot fault would send the final to a decider.

As sunset descended upon the All England Club, the roof would be closed for the fifth set. Bryan and Sock would take full advantage, eventually seizing the deciding break for 6-5 in front of an electric atmosphere on Centre Court. They would close out the title in the next game, emerging victorious after a tense three hours and 39 minutes.

In a way, Novak Djokovic’s semi-final victory against Rafael Nadal was the culmination of a year-long journey. Due to a right elbow injury, Wimbledon was the former World No. 1’s last tournament of the season one year ago.

So while that was a low moment for the Serbian, the event has been his greatest high since. After beginning the 2018 campaign with a 6-6 record — including his first three-match losing streak since 2007 — Djokovic has made it clear that he is back in top form again, and is now just one triumph from lifting his 13th Grand Slam trophy.

“There were moments of doubt, of frustration, disappointment, where you’re questioning whether you want to keep it going in this way or that way, where is that taking you?” Djokovic said. “Everybody goes through that process of thinking. I don’t know anybody that is managing always to stay positive, to always have 100 per cent self-belief, confidence. It’s life. We’re humans, we go through that.”

But those low moments have prepared Djokovic for this opportunity. The losses and disappointments have pushed the 31-year-old, igniting an intense desire to climb back toward his top level.

“Speaking from this position right now, it makes it even better for me, makes it even more special because I managed to overcome challenges and obstacles, get myself to the finals of a Slam. Obviously if you told me that six months ago, I would take it right away,” Djokovic said. “Did I truly believe that I can get back on the level? Yes, I mean, it’s hard for me to play tennis and not believe that I can be the best in what I do. I’ve been fortunate to achieve so much in my career that every time I go to the tournament, I have the highest of ambitions.”

And what better challenge to overcome than to defeat the top player in the ATP Rankings, Nadal? The Spaniard had won his last 16 major semi-final matches before Saturday’s defeat, entering the match with a 35-2 record this season.

“He’s probably the greatest fighter ever to play this game. I mean, he battles every single point like it’s his last. That’s something that is so impressive with Rafa. That’s what makes him so difficult to beat on any surface,” Djokovic said. “Coming into the match against him, knowing that you have to earn your points, is already an energy-spending moment. So you have to be ready for it, obviously. That’s why you put in ‘X’ amount of hours on the practice court, preparation, trying to be as professional as you can, because you need to compete with a guy like Nadal.

“If you want to be able to compete on such a high level, eventually get a win against him in the big tournaments, then you have to give it all you’ve got.”

That takes a substantial amount of mental fortitude as well. Just weeks ago, the Serbian could not convert a match point in the Fever-Tree Championships final against Marin Cilic, eventually losing the match.

So it appeared, for a moment at least, that the match could slip away from the No. 12 seed. Djokovic held his first match point on Nadal’s serve at 8-7, but the Spaniard showed good feel with a drop shot to erase the opportunity, with the 31-year-old sliding across the glass as if it was clay, coming agonisingly close to the ball.

“It was one of those moments where I think time stopped for me. Match point, I saw him coming in, I played a relatively solid shot. It was a moment of decision making for him knowing whether he was going to go for a drop shot or just smack the backhand. When I saw him changing the grip, I started running. But the drop shot was just too good,” Djokovic said. “But I did try to, like, in ‘Space Jam,’ with Michael Jordan, when he was trying to stretch, that’s probably something that comes to my mind to describe it.”

But instead of letting that close call affect him, Djokovic rebounded in the next game to clinch his spot in the final, his 22nd attempt to capture Grand Slam glory (12-9).

“I was very emotional after the match, as well, because it’s been a long 15 months for me, trying to overcome different obstacles,” Djokovic said. “So to be where I am at the moment is quite satisfying.”

Wait, there’s still one more match to play?

Following two epic and exhilirating semi-finals, with both carrying the drama of a championship clash, one match remains to decide who reigns at Wimbledon in 2018.

It has been a fortnight to remember for Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic. Both competitors survived thrilling, extended semi-final encounters to reach the title match at the All England Club, with the South African edging John Isner 26-24 in the fifth set and the Serbian getting the better of longtime rival Rafael Nadal 10-8 in the decider.

View FedEx ATP Head2Head

While three-time champion Djokovic added yet another moment to his growing list of achievements on the prestigious Centre Court lawn, Anderson earned his first taste of drama on the hallowed ground. Just two days earlier, the big-hitting 32-year-old had earned the respect of the Wimbledon faithful with a stunning comeback victory over Roger Federer. Then, on Friday, a record-breaking performance would ensue, as he captured the longest semi-final in tournament history, at six hours and 35 minutes.

And Djokovic would claim his own moment in the spotlight. For the first time in Wimbledon history, both semi-finals progressed past 6-all in the fifth set, as the Belgrade native needed five hours and 17 minutes – and two days – to dismiss Nadal.

Mental, emotional and physical fatigue will no doubt play a factor in Sunday’s championship. But both players are well aware of what’s at stake: One match for Wimbledon glory.

“Kevin also had quite a few hours on the court in the last couple matches,” Djokovic said on Saturday. “But he had a day off, which is quite necessary at this stage. I wish I can have a day. But it is what it is. I’ll just have to accept the circumstances and try to recover as best as I can.”

“The legs are pretty jelly-like,” Anderson assessed after Friday’s win. “Ideally I’d like to get out and hit for maybe 30 minutes [on Saturday], just to try to keep the same sort of routines that we’ve been having. But I’ve never played a match this long, so it will be something. We’ll have to see how things go.”

Grand Slam Title Leaders (All-Time)

When Djokovic kicked off his comeback after undergoing a procedure on his right elbow in January, few could have foreseen such a dramatic turn in fortunes. The Serbian was struggling to find his form and rhythm, as a three-match losing streak saw him fall out of the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings.

But a mere four months later, Djokovic is back. After plotting his ascent with a semi-final run at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Rome, last eight finish at Roland Garros and runner-up result at Queen’s Club, he removed all doubt with a dogged performance against Nadal to reach the Wimbledon final.

On Sunday, Djokovic will play for another slice of history as he attempts to become just the fourth player to lift the Wimbledon trophy on four or more occasions in the Open Era. Only Roger Federer (8), Pete Sampras (7) and Bjorn Borg (5) have enjoyed more success at SW19. The former World No. 1 is also targeting a 13th Grand Slam title overall, which would move him into solo fourth place on the all-time list.

Djokovic, who finds himself back on the Grand Slam final stage for the first time in nearly two years, is seeking his first trophy at any level since prevailing on the grass of Eastbourne in 2017. 

The 31-year-old’s recent reunion with longtime coach Marian Vajda is already paying dividends. After registering routine wins over Tennys Sandgren and Horacio Zeballos to open the fortnight, he recorded impressive four-set victories over home hope Kyle Edmund and a surging Kei Nishikori, in addition to a three-set triumph over Karen Khachanov.

But on Sunday, Djokovic will face an equally in-form Anderson. Despite owning a 5-1 lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, he knows that the South African is playing the best tennis of his career.

Most Match Wins At Wimbledon (Open Era)

“Considering he’s playing only his second Grand Slam final, obviously he has a lot more to gain,” said Djokovic. “If I take my last couple years, I don’t have much to lose myself. I’m again in a Grand Slam final after a long time, after actually almost two years. Of course, we want this trophy. We want this match, both of us. Who is going to take it? I don’t know. It really depends.

“I don’t know if I’ll be the clear favourite in that one. I think we’re quite even. He’s definitely playing the tennis of his life. He’s coming off from two epic marathon five-set wins. I don’t think he has much to lose really tomorrow. He’s going to come out with big serves and big tennis. Hopefully I’ll be able to weather the storm.”

This is the first time in the Open Era that the Wimbledon men’s singles final will be contested by a pair of players aged 30 or over. Anderson has not defeated Djokovic since claiming their first meeting at the 2008 Miami Open presented by Itau. The Serbian has since prevailed on hard, clay and grass, including a pair of wins at the All England Club. He earned a straight-set win in the second round in 2011, before storming back from two sets down to prevail in the Round of 16 in 2015.

Djokovic will break back into the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings with a victory on Sunday, while Anderson is bidding to ascend to a career-high No. 4 with his maiden Grand Slam crown. The Johannesburg native is already ensured of cracking the Top 5 for the first time in his career.

Most Attempts Before Winning First Grand Slam Title (Open Era)

Runner-up at last year’s US Open (l. to Nadal), Anderson’s quest for a first major title also carries an element of national significance. The South African would become the first man from his country to win the Wimbledon title. He is also vying to become the second from the African continent to do so, along with Egyptian Jaroslav Drobny (1954).

In addition, 32-year-old Anderson is bidding to become the second-oldest first-time Grand Slam champion, behind only Andres Gimeno, who was 34 years old when he won at Roland Garros in 1972.

Records aside, Anderson will be buoyed by a string of impressive performances in 2018. He lifted his fourth ATP World Tour trophy at the inaugural New York Open, before reaching a 500-level final on the hard courts of Acapulco. Quarter-final results at the March Masters events of Indian Wells and Miami would follow, as well as a first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final on the clay of Madrid. He is bidding to become the fifth player to reach 30 tour-level match wins in 2018, joining Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro. 

After surviving a pair of extended five-set marathons, what will Anderson and Djokovic provide for an encore in Sunday’s championship? If it’s anything like their semi-final performances, it should be a another pulsating affair on the Centre Court grass.