Novak Djoker rules in Australia

First seed Novak Djokovic wore down Third seed world number 3 Brit Andy Murray in a grueling four-set final to clinch a hat-trick of Australian Open titles on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

The Serbian world number one lost the opening set in a tiebreaker but got progressively stronger to dominate the suffering 25 year old Murray and win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2 in 3hour 40 minute match.

It was Novak Djokovic’s fourth Australian crown and his sixth Grand Slam title overall to confirm himself as the game’s premier player.

Novak Djokovic, 25, became the first man in the Professional Open Era and the third man ever to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, joining Australians Jack Crawford (1931-33) and five-time winner Roy Emerson (1963-67).

Murray, the British world number three who is also 25, began well but he battled a left hamstring injury and blistered feet as Novak Djokovic stepped up, winning the important points and most of the lung-busting long rallies.

It was Novak Djokovic’s second win over Andy Murray in a Grand Slam final after the 2011 Australian final, and ended the Scot’s unbeaten 13-match run in the majors since his victory over the Serb in last September’s US Open decider. In the first six grand slam finals of their career, the young Scot has won only one whereas Djokovic and Nadal had won 4 each. Federer had won all six of them.

The first two, serve-dominated sets were decided on tie-breaks before Novak Djokovic claimed the first break of the match late in the third.

It proved a pivotal moment with US Open champion Murray, who was struggling with blisters on his right foot and a hamstring problem, unable to mount a fightback as Novak Djokovic cruised through the fourth to complete a 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-2 success.

Novak Djokovic confirmed his standing as the number one ranked player while Andy Murray will remain in the third position behind Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal is in fourth due to being out of action through a series of injuries.

It continued Novak Djokovic’s dominance on the Melbourne hardcourt surface and capped an impressive fortnight where he recovered from a draining five-setter over five hours with Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round to score emphatic wins over Tomas Berdych and Spanish world number five David Ferrer to reach the final of the season opening Grand Slam – the Australian Open.

Tags: Andy Murray, Australian Open, Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic, Tennis, US Open