“I think I didn’t hit my forehand particularly well at the beginning of the match”, said Murray. He held his service at love in the next game for a 3-0 lead, then broke again when Murray’s backhand floated long.
Advertisement
Murray’s performance saw him commit 65 unforced errors to Djokovic’s 41.
Murray has transformed the fortunes of British tennis but he made unwanted history following his latest reverse to Djokovic, becoming only the second player to lose a grand slam final at the same major five times.
But with Murray’s best not good enough once again, 34-year-old Federer another year older and Rafael Nadal seemingly on his last legs, 2016 could be the year for Djokovic.
Victory for Andy would see him add to his 2013 Wimbledon and 2012 US Open grand slam titles.
But Djokovic fought back from 0-40 down to break Murray’s serve for a fourth time featuring one exhaustive 36-shot rally to lead 6-5 and serve for the second set.
The Serb went agonisingly close to claiming a calendar grand slam a year ago, winning three majors and finishing runner-up at the French Open. “Tough match, tough luck tonight”.
It is understood the Scot was hoping to catch the 3.30am flight out from Melbourne Airport, landing at Heathrow on Monday evening, and with the match finishing at just after 10.30pm local time, he should have had time to spare.
From then on, it was a battle of wits as Murray took the set into a tie-break which Djokovic prevailed 7-3 to take the set 7-6 in 59 minutes.
Murray broke back in the sixth game but in the tiebreaker the Scot served two double-faults as Djokovic steamed to five match points, and won on his third match point with an ace. 1 and 2 regardless of the result of their Sunday night final at Melbourne Park. It was her sixth mixed doubles final in a Grand Slam tournament, and her first win.
Andy Murray of Britain yells during his match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016.
Milos Raonic, who lost in the semifinals here to Andy Murray, was the biggest mover among the top players, improving three places to No. 11 from 14, followed by John Isner at No 12. He shares fifth place with Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver. He said throughout that he would leave if she went into labor.
Advertisement
“Hail King Nole… 6 Australian Opens and, ominously, putting some distance on Muzz and Fed in the process… now in a league of his own” – one-time Australian Open semi-finalist and sports administrator Paul McNamee. Soares won the men’s doubles title Saturday with Jamie Murray, Andy’s brother.
