Djokovic claimed a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3) win over five-time runner-up Andy Murray on Sunday.
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Having fended off Murray in a marathon second set, Djokovic again had to put down some stiff Murray resistance in the third as the Scot refused to go quietly.
He raced to a 6-1 lead, helped by a double-fault from Murray, and clinched on his third match point with an ace. Murray broke back in the sixth game and the set went to tiebreaker.
Already this year Djokovic has thrashed Rafael Nadal and trounced Roger Federer, and now he adds to that list an emphatic win over Murray, the world number two whom he has beaten 11 times in 12.
Murray knows that statistics such as which finalist played their last four match first is unlikely to have too much bearing on a contest between two supremely fit athletes.
At the end of his speech after he was he was presented with the runners-up shield, he said: “And finally to my wife Kim, who I am sure is going to be watching back home”.
While Djokovic extended his ideal streak to six in Australian finals, Serena Williams’ streak of 6-0 in Melbourne Park deciders ended in an upset loss to Angelique Kerber on Saturday night.
Murray was looking vulnerable but, out of nowhere, he had his first break point since the first game of the match.
“I don’t take anything for granted, even though I won last four out of five Grand Slams, played five finals, it’s phenomenal”, said Djokovic, reflecting on a period of time in which he was married, became a father and only lost one match in five major championships – the final of the French Open. Chuckles rang out around Rod Laver Arena but for Murray it was no laughing matter – the foundations were well and truly laid for a procession as his opponent raced to the first set in little over half an hour.
Djokovic won the first set comfortably but Murray did show some fight in the final two sets.
There’s a lot going through Andy Murray right now, from his upcoming baby with wife Kim Sears to the hospitalization of his father-in-law, but the Scot will have to clear his mind of everything to have a chance against his Achilles heel, Novak Djokovic.
The pair’s last meeting, at the finals of the BNP Paribas Masters previous year, saw Djokovic soundly dispatch Murray in straight sets – 6-2, 6-4, a fact that will not exactly please the Scot.
Murray’s performance saw him commit 65 unforced errors to Djokovic’s 41.
“You’ve been a legend for the last two weeks”. Djokovic dropped a ball short and Murray duly pushed a backhand into the corner to draw back level at 4-4 – after an unsuccessful challenge from the defending champion.
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Despite the distractiosn, the world’s no. 1 is expecting a tough battle against Andy Murray. But Djokovic’s excellent defense, resiliency and ability to punish Murray’s second serve-he won 26 of Murray’s 40 second-serve points-ultimately won him another Grand Slam title. “And I’ll be on the next flight home”. I’d like to say well done to him and his team, a great job.
