Imagine playing tennis against a brick wall that can predict what you're going to do in three shots' time. A brick wall that never misses. A brick wall with plenty of tricks of its own, one that can mix power and subtlety, slice and spin. A brick wall with formidable levels of self-belief. A sentient brick wall. I'm terrifying myself already, and having read this, you're probably sitting in a corner of your room, hunched over, rocking back and forth, furiously weeping. It's the Mitch Hedberg principle taken to the Nth degree – and this is what it is like to play against Rafael Nadal. How do you beat this? Well, you can make like Andy Bernard, but that only leads to a disciplinary hearing, anger management and a broken fist.

For a set and three-and-a-half games on Friday, Nadal was outplayed by Andy Murray, who produced some of his finest tennis ever. We can all pinpoint the moment the match changed though: that missed forehand at 15-30 on Nadal's serve. It wasn't Gascoigne against Germany at Euro 96 territory, but it was close. Reprieved, Nadal was never going to lose. Drop your level for a millisecond, and you've got more chance of finding your way out of the Bermuda Triangle than locating a route back against him. Which is precisely what happened to Murray. It's debatable whether Murray actually did anything wrong. Plenty of his shots were hard, accurate and in the corner; it's just that they kept on coming back over the net, and when that happens, it can drive a player to the edge of insanity. Watch Nadal when he loses a point. The camera pans to him and he's livid with himself, frowning, grunting and thoroughly resolved to bludgeon a path to the next 20. How intimidating is that?

Perhaps not so much for Novak Djokovic. There was a time when this match would have been a foregone conclusion – in fact, probably only a year ago. For a while, it seemed like Djokovic, if not wasting his talent, was certainly not making the most of it. Too often, he would crumble on court, always ready to find a reason to lose. That Djokovic is history. He's already the world No1, and a 43-match unbeaten run was only ended by a superhuman effort from Roger Federer in the French Open semi-final. His backhand is glorious, his forehand has improved immeasurably and his movement rivals Nadal's. He's won the Australian Open and he's won his last last four matches against Nadal (although he still has an 11-6 losing record overall). But he's never beaten Nadal in a grand slam match, and even though he was outstanding when the pair met in the US Open final last year, he was defeated. If this match is half as good as that one, we could be in for a treat. And it still might not be enough for Djokovic. Over five sets against Nadal, it's not enough to be excellent; you have to be perfect.

My prediction A stick to beat me with once Djokovic wins 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 : Now then, I don't like disagreeing with John McEnroe – not that he'll be bothered – but I fancy Nadal to edge it in four sets (or, if we're being greedy, five). Although it's surely not going to be straight sets, I can't go against Nadal. This is Djokovic's first Wimbledon final though. It could spur him on.

If Nadal wins, The Leftorium will be the place to be tonight. Following on from Petra Kvitova's win yesterday, it could be a famous weekend for lefties.

The action starts at: 2pm.

The action ends at: An unspecified time.

Bjorn Borg is on the BBC. A man who knows a thing or two about retirement, he expects Roger Federer to quit if he doesn't win a major next year. Ah, yes, Federer. How strange not to have him here on the final Sunday. Borg didn't say whether the Swiss great would win another major - but I think we know.

Borg tips Nadal to win - in five sets. There, Borg agrees with me. Borg.

Boris Becker is talking about the boxing farce last night. "At least David Haye went 12 rounds," says the German. There was more diving in that travesty of a match than in the Djokovic v Tsonga tussle on Friday.

I love John McEnroe. He exudes cool. And he was in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Anyway, turns out he's going for Nadal in five as well. Maybe he never backed Djokovic then. Or maybe he's changed his mind. It's not a crime.

Sue Barker asks what Tim Henman's handicap is. A useless second serve, I'd say. It's 10 years since this marvellous game, by the way.

The players are led through the corridors and out on to Centre Court. Djokovic, walking a few paces ahead of Nadal, is in his regulation cap, although there's not much sun today. Then again, my brother wears sunglasses inside. We all have our little quirks. Nadal is wearing his trademark headband. He's jumping up and down, a nervous ball of energy. He's got his game face on. This is going to be good.

The toss. Djokovic calls heads. And it's tails. An early psychological blow for Nadal, but he chooses to receive. Djokovic will serve first then.

Tok! Tok! Tok! The players are knocking up. A couple of weeks ago, Murray commented on how strange he finds this whole process. You wouldn't see boxers having a quick spar before a fight, I suppose.

Our first email. Guess who it's from. "Your photo suggests that Nadal is as tall as Djokovic, which surprises me as I always had Nadal down as five foot something Jimmy Connors style scurrier with Djokovic more your six-footer Edberg style strokeplayer," says Gary Naylor. "In almost every other sport, players are noticeably taller than they were a generation ago (rugby and football are prime examples) but male, if not female, tennis players seem the same height as they used to be. Even a shorty like Rod Laver could play today." Nadal is 6ft 1in, I believe. The average for a male tennis player is 6ft 2in.

First set, Nadal 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): A huge cheer greets both players as they make their way to their respective ends. Djokovic fires a hard serve down to Nadal's forehand. It clips the top of the net, but lands tantalisingly on Nadal's side. Perhaps Djokovic's luck is in today. Or perhaps not. What follows is an early warning, the first long rally won by Nadal with an unstoppable forehand down the line, Djokovic nowhere near it. That was recorded at 94mph. Just you try to reach that. Djokovic has been given fair warning, but he's not paying attention, as Nadal wins the next point in exactly the same fashion to go 15-30 up. Djokovic, though, responds with an ace, and then a cleverly placed backhand forces Nadal too wide for another forehand pass. This time he slams it into the net, and Djokovic sees out the game as Nadal mis-hits a forehand, the ball landing miles past the baseline. More of this please. Djokovic, needless to say, will be pleased with that, because Nadal means business.

First set, Nadal* 1-1 Djokovic A change of ends, but no change in the pattern of the game, with both men reluctant to come forward to the net. Whatever happened to the serve and volleyers? Not that it's making this any less compelling. The rallies are fast and ferocious, but three unforced errors on the Djokovic forehand, one long, one wide and one into the net, put Nadal in a comfortable position. Nadal polishes off the game with a careful forehand winner after Djokovic had dropped a blocked backhand short.

First set, Nadal 1-2 Djokovic* Nadal is making early inroads on the Djokovic serve. Djokovic has been too passive so far, and that's always going to be fatal against Nadal. Ask our Andy. At 30-15, he tries to change the momentum of the game with a drop shot, but it has to be perfectly judged against Nadal. This one wasn't, and Djokovic sends his cross-court backhand wide. Huge hitting from Nadal puts Djokovic on the back-foot again, but his defence is typically impeccable and eventually Nadal is driven to plonk a forehand just past the baseline. His spirit raised, Djokovic drops a delicious forehand out wide again and not even a stretching Nadal can lift his sliced backhand over the net. Djokovic holds again, but it's already a hell of a battle for him to do so. Now he needs to give Nadal something to think about. "I'd take those height stats with a pinch of salt if I were you Jacob - the shorter guys always like to add a bit on," says Gary Naylor. "If Lleyton Hewitt is an inch under six feet tall (as claimed), Robin Sodeling must be an inch under seven feet tall - and not six-four as listed." Well, the stats are from the BBC. Take it up with them.

First set, Nadal* 2-2 Djokovic Boris Becker was at the boxing last night. He didn't need a roof where he was sitting though, he boasts. Oh Boris, you show-off. Once again it's an easy hold for the champion. Djokovic loses the first point with another wayward forehand, before Nadal races into a 40-0 lead thanks to an ace and an unreturnable serve, Djokovic flailing at it helplessly. Nadal holds to love thanks to yet another wide backhand from Djokovic. The number of unforced errors would be interesting to see already.

First set, Nadal 2-3 Djokovic* That's a plucky piece of play from Djokovic! Some might even call it suicidal. He plays a shot to the Nadal forehand and then comes in to close the net. Usually that's the end of the point, but although Nadal tries to pass him down the line, Djokovic sticks out his rally and drops a gorgeous volley over the net, the Spaniard nowhere near it. Djokovic holds to love and this is the first indication that he's not overawed by the occasion.

First set, Nadal* 3-3 Djokovic Serve and volley's back. What next, wooden rackets and Cliff Richard? Nadal sees Djokovic's volley and raises it with one of his own, although this one was of the backhand variety to go 15-0 up. Djokovic sneaks back into the game though, as Nadal cracks a forehand pass into the net, the Serbian's forward approach again surprising the Spaniard. With the retro-tennis safely out of their system, both players revert to type, trying to out-hit each other from the back of the court. Djokovic is starting to come into this more and more now, only to wastefully net a backhand return at 30-30. An ace down the middle means we stay on serve. I'm starting to think of a tie-break.

First set, Nadal 3-4 Djokovic* Oh I say, as they say round here, that is brilliant from Djokovic. At 15-0, Nadal smashes one of those forehands back off the Djokovic serve. Some might wilt there, but Djokovic simply answers it with an even better forehand, back down the line with Nadal wrong-footed. This is warming up nicely. And so is Djokovic. At 30-15, he refuses to let Nadal's scurrying at the back of the court wear him down, which Murray did on Friday. Although Nadal manages to retrieve several fine forehands - shots that would be winners against any other player - Djokovic stays on the offensive and when he gets a chance, he dispatches a smash with aplomb. See, Andy? Not difficult. An ace confirms that Djokovic is very much in this final. It is on.

First set, Nadal* 4-4 Djokovic Nadal's seen it all before though. His serving has been exemplary so far, and he's barely given Djokovic a sniff. This game is carried out with the minimum fuss. Djokovic needs to do more when returning. Although he gets within touching distance of Nadal, at 40-30, he throws the game away with a terrible drop shot into the net. He was way too far behind the baseline for that.

First set, Nadal 4-5 Djokovic* This is more attritional than Journey's End. There hasn't been a break point yet. In fact, I'm not sure we've even gone to deuce. The serving's been of an exceptionally high quality as well, though some of the returns have left something to be desired. Surprisingly, so has the action at the net, Djokovic winning more admirers with a delicate forehand volley off an attempted cross-court Nadal backhand pass. The value of serving first is demonstrated now. Nadal now has to serve to stay in the first set.

Djokovic wins the first set 6-4! Who saw this coming? Although his returning has been poor, Djokovic was getting increasingly encouraged by how he's fared in the longer rallies, which he was dominating more and more. At 30-0, he goes toe-to-toe with Nadal and eventually comes out on top with a superb diagonal backhand. The next point's even better from Djokovic, a wonderful forehand down the line doing for Nadal. Suddenly Nadal's in a little bit of trouble. He goes back to what he knows best, trying to overpower Djokovic, but his opponent is growing as this match goes on. He's not about to wilt, and for once Nadal does, as he cracks a low forehand into the net to give Djokovic a set point. And he takes it, as Nadal drops a forehand just inside the left tramlines. This wasn't in the script. Now we'll see what Nadal's made of. Probably granite.

Second set, Nadal 0-1 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): The reaction from Djokovic's entourage was so frenzied that when he won the first set, one of the people in his box celebrated so much that he lost his accreditation. He won't mind though - he's unlikely to be going anywhere for the next few hours. Especially if this is any indication. Just like the Murray match, Nadal comes roaring back and with the help of a favourable net cord, he goes 0-30 up quickly. This is a turn-up though. At 15-30, Nadal again knocks a forehand into the left tramlines. That's his sixth unforced error, and a seventh isn't long in coming. Although Djokovic is sent running back and forth across the baseline, doing all he can to stay in the point, Nadal's radar is suddenly askew. He arrows a pounding forehand into the corner, and Djokovic digs the ball up for a smash that Nadal should put away for a break point. Instead he remarkably crashes it past the baseline. A JFK moment if ever there was one. A big serve from Djokovic gives him a potentially crucial hold. "All Naylor's demonstrated with that photo is that he doesn't know what a 5 inch height difference would look like," says Dave Hawkins. "Unless Soderling has an incredibly big head, you'd expect the top of Hewitt's head to be in line with the bottom of Soderling's nose. It's slightly below, but he's obviously leaning forward so it's about right."

Second set, Nadal* 0-2 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): Djokovic breaks again! He's done what Murray couldn't. Nadal is in extremely choppy waters now! This is unchartered territory for Nadal and he needs something to shake himself out of his current stupor. I'm not sure I can remember him playing this loose in a grand slam final. He's usually so focused, but part of that must be down to Djokovic's excellence from the back of the court. At 15-15, he contemptuously opens the face of the racket and guides a wonderful return into the right corner off a weak Nadal serve. At 15-30, again his defending drives Nadal up the wall. This is like Murray v Nadal, but in reverse. After a lengthy rally, eventually Nadal hits a backhand into the net to give Djokovic two break points. And he takes it in stunning fashion. A big Nadal serve forces Djokovic to just stick out his rally and drop it over the net. Obviously Nadal is there to dink it into the left service box, but Djokovic shows astonishing levels of speed and anticipation to guess Nadal's intentions. He reaches the ball and what's more, he sends his backhand back past Nadal and into the open court. This is brilliant tennis from the underdog. I'm out of my seat and so is everyone on Centre Court - except for Toni Nadal.

Second set, Nadal 0-3 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): More shenanigans at the net from Djokovic. He is in the groove. It's wonderful to watch someone who's so in the zone. Forced forward again at 15-15, he hits a backhand diagonally. Nadal is there quickly but he's being made to look sluggish. He can only dig it up straight to Djokovic, who just knocks the ball back into the wide open court. The pattern continues, as Djokovic soaks up more baseline pressure from Nadal. He waits his moment and then unleashes a sublime backhand cross-court winner from left to right. Astonishing. Simply astonishing. An ace wraps up the game. Nadal is being thoroughly outplayed. He's lost the last five games.

Second set, Nadal* 1-3 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): Nadal gets on the scoreboard, but all is not well with the champion. His game has unravelled and it's not often you can say that. Maybe Murray's contagious. He starts off the game by hitting an easy forehand long, but two swift aces get him off the hook. He should be pegged back, but Djokovic somehow misses an overhead smash. What's up with that? Nadal then gets the slice of luck he needs, as a fortunate net cord takes a forehand pass beyond Djokovic. Could that be the boost he needs? "Spare a thought," says Cameron Harris. "Stuck backstage at the kings head theatre doing a matinee show with my blackberry, a refresh button, and a scowl the size of macbeth's in act five." I feel your pain. I felt the same when I couldn't book the fight on Sky last night. That sensation lasted until I did manage to watch the snoozathon.

Second set, Nadal 1-4 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): Another sign that Nadal is starting to catch a few breaks. Djokovic fails to put away a few volleys at the net, and Nadal, totally off-balance and stooping low, somehow squeezes the spawniest backhand he'll ever hit past him at 15-0. It'll take more than that to rock Djokovic today though. An ace and a forehand winner establishes a 40-15 lead, and he wraps up the game with another deep backhand. There's been plenty of jabber about whether Djokovic deserves the No1 spot. He's making those quibbles look very stupid. Nothing against Nadal, but this is fantastic. Djokovic is coming of age on Centre Court.

Second set, Nadal* 1-5 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 1-0 in sets): When someone is in this sort of mood, there's not a better sport to watch than tennis. Djokovic is in that zone, and he's not going to leave it without a hell of a fight. At 15-0, Djokovic again wonders what all the fuss around Nadal is about, waits his moment and then pings another forehand winner into the right corner. He's not done there though. At 30-30, he dinks a drop shot over the net. Nadal gets there but his pounding backhand isn't good enough, and allows Djokovic to try to lob him. It's not quite got the height, but Nadal's overhead goes straight to Djokovic, who whips a forehand back past him, as if he has not a care in the world. And would you believe it, Djokovic converts the break point as Nadal, sent scampering into the corner again, slips like David Haye, and his sliced backhand drops into the left tramline. Djokovic will serve for the second set. It's turning into a thrashing.

Djokovic wins the second set 6-1 (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): Nadal currently looks a beaten man. This is an utter masterclass. Djokovic breezes through the game as if he's playing me, not the Wimbledon champion, a player with 10 grand slams. An ace, yet another forehand winner and a long return from Nadal give Djokovic three set points. It's taken in almost low-key fashion, as Nadal loops another return into the net. It's not even a contest at the moment. It's not even a contest against Nadal, who has been shocked to his very core. At the moment, a straight-sets victory for Djokovic is as inevitable as Michael McIntyre being on television at any time in the day.

Third set, Nadal* 1-0 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): Just what Nadal needed, a hold at the start of the third set. Although Djokovic fights back to 40-30 from 40-0 down, Nadal suddenly remembers that his forehand's actually pretty good, and summons up his first winner on that side since the start of the first set. "Good morning from the states. Long time reader, first (or second) time poster," says Jose O'Brien. "As an econ grad student, I'm very interested in the comparative advantage of systems; having said that, what would you say has been Novak's realization for this final? In other words, what 'strong point' in his game has he amplified to come roaring from the start? Also, will this be the new rivalry for the foreseeable future? No disrespect to other players, but it seems that Djokovic v Nadal will last for a few years still...is there a comparable tennis rivalry in history?" Djokovic has simply out-hit Nadal. He's been aggressive and has gone for the kill, as you have to against Nadal. And he's barely made an unforced error as well. As for whether this is a rivalry for years to come, a lot depends on Nadal's knees.

Third set, Nadal 2-0 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): We hear that Nadal has fought back from two sets down three times in his career, and twice at Wimbledon. And a decent start to the third set seems to have restored some of his belief. Another forehand winner down the line gets him roaring and pumping his fist, a sight that will unnerve even Djokovic. 0-15. And it's not long before it's 0-30, as Djokovic uncharacteristically fires long. The Centre Court crowd, desperate for a proper bout, wakes up, letting their support for Nadal be known in no uncertain times. Djokovic has to beat them too, but his confidence is so high at the moment. With the help of an ace, he hauls himself level, but an error from Djokovic gives Nadal his first break point of the match. And, of course, you can't give Nadal an opening like that. Djokovic sloppily fires a backhand into the net, prompting more fist-pumping from Nadal. He's not the champion for nothing. It's game on.

Third set, Nadal* 3-0 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): We may well have a classic on our hands. Huge serving from Nadal helps him race through this game to consolidate the break, and now Djokovic, who was playing so well, realises precisely how difficult it is to beat this phenomenon. What must it be like to be that confident in your own ability?

Third set, Nadal 3-1 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): Now it's Djokovic's turn to look a little ragged. The errors are starting to creep in, the shoulders are dropping and Nadal looks 10 feet tall. But he does well to come back from 0-15, the serve that had momentarily deserted Djokovic returning to get him out of a tight spot. At 40-15, there's some more crowd-pleasing antics at the net, as both men trade shots, before Djokovic finally lobs Nadal. He races back and tries to emulate Federer with a through-the-legs shot, but it goes wide. You're not Federer yet.

Third set, Nadal* 4-1 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): Djokovic has broken Nadal three times. Now he's not getting a look-in on the Nadal serve. An ace sees Nadal win the game to love. That took no time whatsoever. "Come on!" he cries. Djokovic trudges back to his chair in silence. It's all in the head, this sport.

Third set, Nadal 5-1 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-0 in sets): There can be no doubting who the crowd wants to win. They're backing Nadal, the champion, the player who hasn't lost here for four years. And they say Wimbledon's elitist. Worryingly for Djokovic, his forehand's starting to find its range. "UHHHHH," he bellows as he screams a couple down Djokovic's throat to go 15-30 up. A missed forehand from Djokovic, unsettled by Nadal's resolute defence, gives the Spaniard two break points - effectively set points. Djokovic, however, reminds us that he's still two sets up as more cute play at the net rescues the first, before Nadal, on the stretch, plonks a backhand weakly into the net for deuce. Still, though, the sense is that the tide has turned, and Nadal is determined to wrap this up quickly. Now it's his turn to dominate the longer rallies - it must be so wearying - and Djokovic gifts Nadal a third break point with a forehand into the net. A double-fault from Djokvic means Nadal will serve for the set. Nadal never gives up.

Nadal wins the third set 6-1 (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Oh he's back in it now! We're going to a fourth set, as Nadal seals the set with a love-game. Unforced errors and accurate serving from Nadal leaves Djokovic with nowhere to go. He races into a 40-0 lead, and then sends a canny serve out wide. Djokovic stretches every sinew to reach it, but Nadal is at the net to whip a forehand into the opposite corner. And that's that. Nadal has shown us a rather large pair of cojones. Over to you, Novak.

Fourth set, Nadal 0-1 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Djokovic simply must hold here, because Nadal is threatening to smother him now. At 15-15, he races across the baseline to reach a firm backhand from Djokovic. He gets there, and whips a forehand down the line, and Djokovic volleys into the net. That's not happened often today, and it's another worrying chink in the Djokovic game. He manages to get back to 30-30, but a monstrous cross-court forehand from Nadal in the next point pushes Djokovic back and a backhand into the net offers up the break point. It really should be put away too, but remarkably, despite having a big target to hit, Nadal's forehand down the line is over-cooked. Djokovic escapes and Nadal blocks two serves long. He challenges the second call, but incorrectly. Crucial, and that may help him get back to the level he was playing at in the first two sets.

Fourth set, Nadal* 0-2 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Now then. Having wasted a break point in the last game, Nadal gives Djokovic something to cling on to as he goes 0-30 down following a sliced backhand into the net and a missed forehand. Djokovic then foolishly allows Nadal back into it with a tame forehand into the net. But this is the Djokovic we saw in the first two sets. A low forehand approach pins Nadal back, and Djokovic races to the net to put away a forehand volley. Two break points. It's his match again. Confidence up, suddenly he remembers that he was dominating the long rallies early on, and is handed the break as Nadal slams a backhand into the net after terrific hustling at the back of the court from Djokovic. Now that takes some character. "True, Nadal never gives up, but did he tank the second set, preserving his energy to strike back in the third, knowing that nobody has ever played fifth sets as effectively as him?" says Gary Naylor. "It would have been high risk approach, but with the third set now secured and the momentum with him, it may not have been a bad move." No way. No player does that.

Fourth set, Nadal 1-2 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): And yet Nadal will not go away. At 30-15, he drags Djokovic all over the place, eventually inducing the error. At 30-30, Nadal goes on the attack and Djokovic, off-balance, drops a forehand long. Nadal didn't take the break point in the first game, but this time he gets a break in every sense of the word. Off Djokovic's serve, he just opens up the rally and goes for a forehand slice - and the ball clips the top of the net and lands agonisingly on the other side, killed dead as it falls on the grass with Djokovic stranded. The margins of success and failure could not be tighter than this. Nadal holds up his hands to apologise, but let's not pretend he means it. Johann Hari could make a better job of it than that.

Fourth set, Nadal* 2-2 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): "Tomorrow's newspapers," ponders Boris Becker. "All the headlines of today." He's clearly never heard of the digital-first future. Anyway, it's an easy hold for Nadal. "I'm sure that Mr Djokovic is a lovely man, but he always looks as if he's smirking, bit like that blonde guy on Emmerdale," says Shane O'Leary. "So, that's why we'd like Nadal to win, please."

Fourth set, Nadal 2-3 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): It's said that the surfaces today are more similar than ever, but surely no one expected to see sliding on grass. Amazingly that's what Djokovic has brought to SW19 this year. There's not been much of it so far today, but he's starting to bring it out. Is that a good sign? I'm not so sure. It would suggest he's being moved about more by Nadal. From 30-0, Nadal gets level, but Djokovic realises he has to go for it, and eventually Nadal shanks a backhand into the net. That one barely got off the floor. Nadal then hits a forehand return long, and that's the game. And how Djokovic needed that.

Fourth set, Nadal* 3-3 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Nadal slices into the net to give Djokovic a 0-15 lead, but the response from there is impressive. At 30-15, Djokovic pings a forehand cross-court, so Nadal whacks a backhand down the line. There's not much you can do about that. Apart from leave half of the court open, obviously. Djokovic then sends a forehand return wide - a real feature of his game this afternoon. Meanwhile, there's more woe for Cameron Harris. "I am so gutted to be missing a classic wimbledon battle of two guys on the top of their game," he wails. "Surprisingly, the show has not sold well- who knew that sunday theatre goers are in exactly the same demographic as wimbledon fans- urgh!" I missed the 2007 final because I was on a train in Poland. It's happened to us all.

Fourth set, Nadal 3-4 Djokovic* (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Finally Djokovic is given room to breathe on his serve as he wins it to love, the decisive point won as Nadal whacks a cross-court backhand well wide. He's struggled to come up with a solution when Djokovic has come to the net, which is a tad surprising. "Shane O'Leary of earlier e-mail must have something rose-tinted blocking his view of Rafa's part of the screen," says Michael Butler. "I saw a good description of the latter on twitter on Friday. 'Nadal looks like Tom Cruise in a wind tunnel full of farts'. He's also slimey." If Nadal's slimey, what hope do the rest of us have?

Fourth set, Nadal* 3-5 Djokovic (Djokovic leads 2-1 in sets): Nadal's dad is furious. So that's where Rafa gets it from. He slams the box, because three dire points - almost out of nowhere - from Nadal give Djokovic three break points. The first came from a double fault, the second a wide backhand and the third a forehand into the net. Nadal saves the first with an exceptional forehand winner, but it's too much to save the next two, as a backhand lands long. Djokovic will serve for the championship. How are your nerves now? This will be the hardest game of his life. "Tennis' brilliantly effective scoring system does open the possibility of tanking the occasional set as a strategy designed to win a match," says Gary Naylor. "Sure it's high risk, but so is going for second serve aces to shorten games and going for the lines to shorten rallies. There are parallels in cricket, when captains give up the opportunity to score more runs by declaring and in rugby when captains refuse easy penalty kicks to go for the try and in golf when players concede holes in matchplay. Marshaling one's physical and mental resources matter in sports and we shouldn't be surprised if players develop counter-intuitive approaches." I take your point, but it's not a wise tactic in a final, and especially when you're about to go two sets down to Djokovic. Even if it is Nadal we're talking about.

Novak Djokovic is the Wimbledon 2011 champion! Djokovic wins 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3! Naturally Nadal takes a 0-15 lead at the start of the game. It's not going to be easy for Djokovic. Well, not that easy, anyway. Nadal has been out of sorts today, and from a second serve from Djokovic, he sends a forehand long. Another fearsome rally follows, and ends when Nadal flops a forehand into the net, the ball never in danger of going over. Djokovic is a mere two points away. Nadal, though, is not about to relinquish his trophy in such meek fashion and, on the run, he smashes a forehand down the line, forcing Djokovic to hit long. The tension is almost unbearable now. What can Djokovic do from here? Remarkably he decides to serve and volley - it's meant to be dead! - and brings up championship point with a glorious diagonal forehand volley! He only needs one chance as well! Djokovic hits a cross-court backhand deep to the Nadal backhand and the Spaniard, knowing he has to go for a winner, hits his up the line and well long. Djokovic knew it as soon as the ball left Nadal's racket. It's Nadal's first defeat here since the final in 2007. The No1 really is No1. What a performance.

It's a strange feeling for Rafael Nadal. He hasn't even lost a grand slam final since 2007. There are 15,000 people inside Centre Court, but he'll be very lonely right now, even if he does get a great reception as he collects his runners-up trophy. He's not bouncing about now. He looks thoroughly deflated and knows he didn't play his best tennis. More than losing, that's what will be so soul-destroying for him today.

Djokovic goes up to collect his trophy. He looks like he can barely believe it, but although the applause is generous, the roar is notably absent. There are plenty of Nadal fans in there today. What a poor show from all concerned. Djokovic, though, is a deserving champion. I thought it would be over in four sets, but not like this.

Nadal, as gracious as ever, is humble in defeat. This one got away from him though. He was nowhere near his most potent, apart from in the third set.

All the talk beforehand was whether Djokovic would deserve his No1 ranking if he didn't win today. That can be put to bed now. He has two slams already this year - one more than Nadal. There's some pantomime clowning about on Centre Court, as Sue Barker's microphone isn't working properly. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Naturally the crowd acts as if this is the funniest thing they've ever seen, even funnier than James Corden. I know! "Poor show indeed," says Colin Callanish. "Only outdone by the rank pro Nadal BBC commentary...rubbish." Djokovic pays tribute to Nadal, and then admits, with a laugh, that it's been "a good couple of days at the office". Before he's done, there's the obligatory thanks to his friends and family. No, thank you, Novak. He's the man to beat now.