Wimbledon 2018: Men's Final Start Time, Schedule, Prediction and Prize Money

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IJuly 15, 2018

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the continuation of their men's singles semi-final match on the twelfth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2018. - Djokovic won the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 10-8. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic takes on Kevin Anderson in the men's final of Wimbledon 2018 on Centre Court on Sunday.

The Serb will be aiming to win his fourth title at the All England Club as he plays in his first Grand Slam final since losing to Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2016 U.S. Open.

Anderson is back in action after a winning a gruelling five-setter against John Isner on Friday. The South African won the final set 26-24 after six hours and 35 minutes.

The winner of Sunday's final will take home £2.25 million. The runner-up scoops £1.125 million, per the tournament's official website.

Date: Sunday, 15 July

Time: 2 p.m. BST/9 a.m ET

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TV: BBC (UK), ESPN (U.S.)

Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK), WatchESPN (U.S.)

Djokovic will be the favourite to win his 13th Grand Slam title after seeing off world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals on Saturday.

After a tough two years, Djokovic appears to have returned to full fitness and rediscovered his hunger for the game.

He has produced some excellent tennis at Wimbledon and needed to be at his best to beat second seed Nadal in an epic five-set match.

The 31-year-old offered his reaction after the win, per Metro's George Bellshaw:

George Bellshaw @BellshawGeorge
Djokovic: 'It's hard to pick the words. I'm just going through things, flash backs the last 15 months and everything I've been through to get here to get to the finals and beat the best player in the world in one of the longest matches I've played. I'm overwhelmed.'

Djokovic was seeded 12th for the tournament and has overcome some tough challenges on his way to to the final. He beat British no. 1 Kyle Edmund in four sets in the third round and also needed four sets to overcome Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

Yet it's the win over an in-form Nadal that was his most impressive and suggests he might just be back to his best.

He will now face Anderson, who beat defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals in five sets before his marathon win over Isner.

Anderson had the day to recover on Saturday, but fatigue may be an issue for the 32-year-old in what will be his second Grand Slam final.

The South African prepared for the match by watching Djokovic's win over Nadal in an ice bath, per Christopher Clarey at the New York Times:

Christopher Clarey @christophclarey
Kevin Anderson, in the Wimbledon ice bath, watching this match File photo https://t.co/LBzoOAy5wy

Anderson's semi-final with Isner was a battle of two big-servers, which meant breaks of serve were rare. The South African's serve is a major weapon but will face a stern examination on Sunday given Djokovic is one of the best returners around.

The eighth seed, who is enjoying the best spell of his career, should not be underestimated. He reached the final of the 2017 U.S. Open, losing to Nadal in straight sets, and his victory over Federer showed he's capable of springing an upset.

However, beating a rejuvenated Djokovic may just be a step too far. The Serb has never lost to Anderson at Wimbledon, and that record does not look like ending on Sunday.