Novak Djokovic again proved the toughest of nuts for Roger Federer to crack as he repelled everything the Swiss threw at him to claim a fifth Wimbledon title in the first All England Club final to be decided by a tiebreaker on Sunday.

The defending champion was outshone at times in the Center Court thriller and saved two match points deep into a gripping decider but he dredged his tank of mental and physical resilience to win 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 13-12(3).

Nothing could divide the players in an intoxicating climax played in a soccer-like atmosphere and the match was already the longest Wimbledon singles final ever when the club's new rule stipulating a deciding set tiebreak at 12-12 was deployed.

Both players looked out on their feet after nearly five hours of compelling combat but, as he did in the day's two other tiebreaks, Djokovic proved more steadfast.

A sublime backhand, one of his best of the match, put the top seed 6-3 ahead. There was then a moment of confusion as, on his first match point, Djokovic made a successful Hawkeye challenge on a ball that was called out but the point was replayed.

Federer then ballooned a forehand off the frame of his racket to end the match after four hours 57 minutes of unforgettable drama - nine minutes longer than Federer's defeat by Rafael Nadal in the 2008 epic.

It was a crushing blow for Federer who struck 94 winners to Djokovic's 54 and for long periods eclipsed the man on the other side of the net. He has now lost three Wimbledon finals to Djokovic, having been beaten in back-to-back finals in 2014 and 2015.

But having served for the match at 8-7 in the fifth and been 40-15 ahead, this defeat will sting the most.

Djokovic, 32, is now level with Bjorn Borg in fourth place on the all-time list of men's winners at Wimbledon and he moved to four wins behind Federer on the all-time Grand Slam list.

"Roger is one of the greatest players of all time, who I respect a lot," Djokovic, who last lost to Federer four years ago and now leads their rivalry 26-22, said on court.

"Unfortunately one player has to lose and we both had our chances. It's unreal to be two match points down and come back."

Popular Czech Barbora Strycova gained rich consolation for her loss in the women's singles semi-finals, partnering Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Su-Wei to land the women's doubles title at Wimbledon on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Strycova, who lost to Serena Williams in the singles, secured her first Grand Slam title in her long career as she and Hsieh beat China's Xu Yifan and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada 6-2, 6-4. 

Strycova, who had earlier this year raised the idea of retiring and suggested ahead of her clash with Williams she may not be back next year, has charmed the crowds at Wimbledon with her cheerful demeanor and delightful groundstrokes.

Hsieh's victory capped a memorable day for Chinese Taipei as earlier her fellow Latisha Chan won the mixed doubles title with Croatian partner Ivan Dodig.

(Cover photo via VCG)

(With inputs from agencies)