It was Djokovic’s second win over Murray in a Grand Slam final after the 2011 Australian final, which ended the Scot’s unbeaten 13-match run in the majors. PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE:
World number one Novak Djokovic wore down Andy Murray in an attritional four-set final to clinch a historic hat-trick of Australian Open titles and reaffirm his tennis supremacy yesterday.
The Serbian world number one lost the opening set in a tiebreaker, but got progressively stronger to dominate the battle-weary Murray and win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2.
The 25-year-old became the first man in the Open era and only the third ever to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, joining Australians Jack Crawford (1931-33) and five-time winner Roy Emerson (1963-67).
“It’s an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more,” said Djokovic. “It’s definitely my favourite and my most successful Grand Slam.”
Murray, the British world number three, began strongly but he battled a left hamstring injury and blistered feet as Djokovic stepped up, winning most of the long rallies.
“I congratulate Novak,” said Murray. “His record here is incredible and there are very few people who have managed to do what he’s done here. He’s a deserved champion.”
Djokovic grabbed the only three service breaks of the final and had 47 winners to the Scot’s 29.
In a tight opening set, Murray saved five break points over two service games before it was decided by a tiebreaker.
The Scot played the perfect tiebreaker with three mini-breaks against the wavering Djokovic to go one set up after 68 hard-fought minutes.
Yet again both players held their serve and the final went into a second tiebreaker, but this time Djokovic was the steadier player winning 7/3 to level the match.
The turning point came in the eighth game of the third set when Djokovic won an important point off an exhausting 36-stroke rally, leaving the Serb smiling and the Scot gasping.
Murray was having problems with his left hamstring and was troubled going to his forehand side as Djokovic began to take the lead in the fourth set.
The end was nigh as Murray double-faulted on break point in his next service game, handing Djokovic a 4-1 with the finish line in sight.
Djokovic served out for the championship and clinched it on his first match point when Murray netted a backhand.
Azarenka dreams big after crazy win
Celebrations were long and noisy for Victoria Azarenka after her win over Li Na in Saturday’s eventful final, when she successfully defend her title.
“Each one,” said Azarenka, when asked which Grand Slam tournament she would most like to win this year. “I mean, you can’t prefer any because they are so different. So it’s really hard.”
Novak Djokovic
“What a joy, it’s an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more. It’s definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam”
Andy Murray
“His record here is absolutely incredible and there are very few people who have managed to do what he’s done here. He’s a deserved champion”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2013.
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Nole is at the peak of his game seriously... Still i am unable to see the consistency in any top rated player except Federer..