PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: World number one Novak Djokovic hammered a misfiring Andy Murray in straight sets to win a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title and strengthen his grip on men's tennis on Sunday.
The Serbian world number one swept to a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) victory in two hours, 53 minutes to hand Murray his fifth defeat in the Australian Open final.
Djokovic equalled the tally of Australia's Roy Emerson, who won the tournament six times between 1961 and 1967, an achievement that has gone unmatched in the 49 years since.
It was also Djokovic's 11th Grand Slam title, and he moved into equal fifth place with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg behind 17-time leader Roger Federer.
Djokovic is now firmly established as the dominant force on the Melbourne hardcourt, after downing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win his first major title in 2008, beating Rafael Nadal in an epic final in 2012 along with his four wins over Murray in 2011, 2013, 2015 and now 2016.
Djokovic also extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 21 matches, and he has not lost a match at the majors since he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in last year's French Open final at Roland Garros.
While Djokovic was further enhancing his reputation, Murray has the unwanted statistic of becoming only the second man in the post-1968 Open Era to lose five Grand Slam finals at any one major.
Ivan Lendl, Murray's former coach, lost five finals at the US Open in 1982-1984 and 1988-1989, before winning at Flushing Meadows in 1985-1987.
Djokovic faced a break point in his opening service game but then went on a blazing run, breaking Murray's serve twice to claim opening set in 30 minutes.
It took the Scot until the sixth game to hit his first winner and end a 14-game winning sequence by Djokovic in his meetings with Murray.
Murray survived four break points to hold serve in a marathon 12-minute third game as he tried to stay in the second set against the pressing Serb.
But Djokovic gained another psychological breakthrough with a service break in the seventh game after Murray overhit a forehand to trail 4-3.
Fighting Murray broke back in the following game with his backhand clipping the baseline, which was confirmed by Djokovic's challenge.
Murray fought off two break points in a fiercely-contested ninth game in a war of the attrition between the two long-time rivals.
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 claimed a two sets to love lead after winning an 80-minute battle for the second set, leaving Murray with it all to do.
Djokovic tightened the noose with another service break in the first game of the final set, with Murray looking at the herculean task taking the final to five sets.
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.
It was another big statement from Djokovic against his major rivals after beating Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-2 at Doha and convincingly beating Roger Federer in the Melbourne semi-finals.
The Serbian celebrations continue. Super scenes. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/fL73Ow7zRP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Here's how those passionate Serbian fans out in Garden Square greeted @DjokerNole's historic win #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/89DzNO0vDA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Novak Djokovic is the 2016 Australian Open Champion! #AusOpen Watch more https://t.co/Ek545Zh2D9 https://t.co/hc5N6LBAIT
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Djokovic's victory puts him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11 Grand Slam titles and moves him within six of Roger Federer #AusOpen
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
CHAMPION
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Novak Djokovic clinches a record-equaling SIXTH #AusOpen singles crown, beating Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) pic.twitter.com/FYFKznXPFF
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 7 (7)
Murray : 1| 5| 6 (3)
Djokovic wins his 11th Grand Slam title
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 6*
Murray : 1| 5| 6
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 3Djokovic: 6 | 7| 5
Murray : 1| 5| 6*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 3Djokovic: 6 | 7| 5*
Murray : 1| 5| 5
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 4
Murray : 1| 5| 5*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 4*
Murray : 1| 5| 4
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 3
Murray : 1| 5| 4*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 3*
Murray : 1| 5| 3
Murray wins his first break of the third set
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 3
Murray : 1| 5| 2*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 3*
Murray : 1| 5| 1
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 2
Murray : 1| 5| 1*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 2*
Murray : 1| 5| 0
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 3
Djokovic: 6 | 7| 1
Murray : 1| 5| 0*
Djokovic wins his first break of the third set
Set 2Djokovic: 6 | 7*
Murray : 1| 5
Djokovic wins second set
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 6
Murray : 1| 5*
Djokovic breaks once again, and will now serve for the set
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 5*
Murray : 1| 5
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 4
Murray : 1| 5*
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 4*
Murray : 1| 4
Murray strikes back, and win his first break of the match.
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 4
Murray : 1| 3*
Djokovic wins his first break of the set, and is now in the commanding position to win the second set.
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 3*
Murray : 1| 3
After another long game, Djokovic manage to hold on to his serve
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 2
Murray : 1| 3*
Murray holds on to his serve once again
Set 2Djokovic: 6 | 2*
Murray : 1| 2
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 1
Murray : 1| 2*
Murray holds on to his serve after a game of more than 11 minutes
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 1*
Murray : 1| 1
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 2
Djokovic: 6 | 0
Murray : 1| 1
Murray holds on to his serve
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 6
Murray: Games 1
Djokovic wins first set
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 5
Murray: Games 1
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 5
Murray: Games 0
Djokovic holds on to serve once again
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 4
Murray: Games 0
Djokovic breaks again.
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 3
Murray: Games 0
Djokovic holds on to his serve
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 2
Murray: Games 0
Djokovic breaks Murray's serve
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 1
Murray: Games 0
Key Points:
Andy Murray is playing his fifth Australian Open final, having lost all the previous three, thrice against Novak Djokovic in 2011 and 2013, and once against Roger Federer in 2010.
Novak Djokovic is playing his sixth final in the Rod Laver Arena, having won all five times previously.
.@DjokerNole heads to the locker rooms. Ready to get prepared for walk on. #ausopen pic.twitter.com/CTvG5ZlNlo
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Final stretches for @andy_murray. Time to rock and roll! #ausopen pic.twitter.com/my2wQ1Xtb4
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2016
Andy Murray set up a final clash against Djokovic after beating German A. Zverev, Australian S. Groth, Portuguese J. Sousa and Australian B.Tomic in the first four rounds.
M.Raonic CAN
The Britisher faced D.Ferrer of Spain in the quarter-final whom he downed 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 and 6-3.
In the semi-final he beat Canadian M. Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4 and 6-2.
PHOTO: REUTERSDjokovic came into the final after beating Korean H Chung, French Q Halys, Italian Andreas Seppi and French Gilles Simon in the first four rounds of the Australian Open.
In the quarter-final he beat Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4.
In the semi-final he beat former world number one Swiss Roger Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6 and 6-3.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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