LONDON — Roger Federer was a match away from fulfilling his mission of winning a record eighth Wimbledon title.
Once again, he ran into a seemingly invincible Novak Djokovic.
Federer had been in excellent form throughout this year's tournament, and he continued to show it in Sunday's final. He took an early lead in the first set, he came back to win an epic 22-point tiebreaker in the second set, and he matched Djokovic all afternoon with sizzling forehands and slick backhands on the grass of Centre Court.
Still, No. 8 remains elusive.
"For me, a finalist trophy is not the same.