Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and seventh career major with a 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4 victory over Roger Federer Sunday, shattering the Swiss star's dream of a record eighth

triumph in an epic struggle.

Victory allowed the top seeded Serb, who was also the 2011 champion and runner-up last year, to end a run of three successive defeats in Grand Slam finals, but the 27-year-old struggled to get across the finish line, surrendering a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and then a match point.

Djokovic celebrated victory in typically eccentric style, kneeling on the Centre Court turf and munching on a few blades of grass just as he had done three years ago.

"First of all I want to congratulate Roger it was a great match to be a part of he is a magnificent champion and a great example of a great athlete and a role model. I respect everything you have done and thanks for letting me win today," smiled Djokovic.Djokovic has the added bonus of reclaiming the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal.

Federer said he was surpised to have got to a deciding set.

"It was a great final. I can't believe I made it to five, it wasn't looking good fora while," said Federer.

Two rallies featured 21 strokes apiece but neither player could fashion a break point in the first set.

In a rollercoaster of a tiebreaker, Federer saw a 3/0 lead gobbled up and then had to save two set points.

But the Swiss rallied when it mattered, taking the opener when Djokovic dumped a backhand return into the net.

But he did break in the third game of the second set for 2-1 before calling the trainer to treat the left ankle he hurt in the fall. Federer had his first break point of the tie in the 10th game but Djokovic saved it and levelled the final with a brutal overhead.

But it was Djokovic who was on top in the tiebreaker charging to two set points and the third set when Federer pushed a drive wide.

In a thrilling fourth set, Djokovic broke for 3-1, Federer hit back for 2-3 but the Serb regained the initiative for 4-2 and held a nervy seventh game for 5-2.

Astonishingly, back came the veteran Swiss to go to 4-5, breaking his opponent when he served for the title.

He saved a match point in the 10th game on a successful challenge to take the final into a decider.

Djokovic led 2-1 in the fifth and called the trainer for the second time for treatment to his right calf.

The man from Belgrade fought off a break point to lead 4-3 and then wasted three of his own as the rivals went to 4-4.

Djokovic held for 5-4 and from nowhere he seized the initiative, moving to two championship points and clinched the trophy when Federer netted a return.