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Djokovic thrashes Murray for sixth Aussie Open title

World number one Novak Djokovic insists he is not taking anything for granted after beating Andy Murray in the Australian Open final.

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Djokovic broke Murray in the first game in the third set as it seemed the Briton’s spirit had been broken and Djokovic won the second game to love in eight minutes.

Andy Murray was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to pregnant wife Kim after his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final.

Murray was expected to head straight to the airport after the final to return to London and his wife Kim, who is due to give birth to their first child in the next two weeks.

Djokovic survived an almighty scare against Gilles Simon, tallying an uncharacteristic 100 unforced errors in a thrilling five-setter in the fourth round, while Kei Nishikori was not without his chances in the quarters, yet the former was so far ahead of the field his patches of inconsistency went unpunished.

Victory helped the 28-year-old claim his 11th Grand Slam title and join Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on the all-time list. Roland Garros is still the only Grand Slam event that the Serb has not won.

Djokovic broke Murray in the seventh game when the Scot hit a forehand shot wide.

“I’m proud that I got into this position”. I was able to play more offensive tennis then.

To the Scot’s credit, his performance levels improved thereafter, but not enough to prevent Djokovic from winning through in straight sets.

There was also the unexpected collapse of his father-in-law Nigel Sears last weekend, when Murray admitted he had been close to pulling out of the tournament, before Sears was given the all-clear. Because if I do, the person becomes too arrogant and thinks that he’s a higher being or better than everybody else. Djokovic, the top-ranked player in the world, was in the driver’s seat from the very beginning and never looked like he was going to lose the match. The Brit beat Djokovic in the 2012 US Open final, but hasn’t seen a win over the Serb in more than three years. At 11:15 p.m. local time, Murray said he was aiming for a 1 a.m. flight – “I’ve been held on flights for it feels like five days”. “Just know I will be on the next flight home”.

“To my wife Kim, who I’m sure is watching back home now”. Congrats Novak. Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat.

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Germany’s Angelique Kerber kisses the trophy as Serena Williams of the US claps after Kerber won their final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, Jan. 30, 2016.

AFP       Australian Open Calendar Grand Slam Looms for Novak Djokovic