Djokovic Wins Australian Open’s Men Title

Novak Djokovic’s extraordinary juggernaut rolls on after the Serb on Sunday claimed the longest Grand Slam final in history.

Condemning Rafael Nadal to a record third consecutive major final loss, exhausted Djokovic posted a 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 Australian Open triumph – a victory for the ages.

On rubbery legs and fighting mental and physical exhaustion, Djokovic clambered off the canvas from 2-4 down in the fifth set to do it. Fittingly, the 100th Australian men’s final was the longest in Grand Slam history at 5hrs 53 mins.

Herald Sun of Australia reports that the defending champion Djokovic’s third Melbourne Park title – and fifth major overall – was sealed at 1.37a.m. local time.

It will live with with the Serb forever, such was its epic nature. With nothing more to give in the final game of the match, Djokovic crossed himself and glanced skywards after saving a break point.

He did so again on the following point after earning match point.

Djokovic slumped to the court in relief and elation and Nadal trudged towards the net after missing a forehand.

It was only the third decider to go the distance at Melbourne Park after Pat Cash and Mats Wilander (1988) and Nadal and Roger Federer (2009).

Djokovic, 24, has now beaten Nadal seven times in a row – and in each of the past three Grand Slam deciders at Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian.

The Serb relentlessly pounded Nadal’s second serve to expose gaping holes in the Spaniard’s defence to land his fifth major, joining Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Mats Wilander as the only men to win three or more Australian crowns since 1968.

In much the same way Nadal relishes his stroke-for-stroke match-up with Federer, Djokovic exerts a similar thrall over Nadal.

The critical difference was the second serve. Djokovic operated at 64 percent. Nadal landed 45 percent.

It was a similar scenario at Wimbledon and the US Open.

In becoming only the fourth male since Rod Laver in 1969 to claim three consecutive majors – Pete Sampras, Federer and Nadal are the others – Djokovic proved again he is clearly the sport’s premier player.

Supposedly exhausted after a protracted semi-final against Andy Murray on Friday, he overcame a sluggish start in sultry conditions to have Nadal on the ropes deep into the fourth set.

Holding three break points for a 5-3 lead, Djokovic could not capitalise as the Spaniard steamed back into the contest.

And when Nadal held a commanding 4-2 lead in the deciding set, Djokovic somehow summoned the nerve and energy to draw back on terms.

He made the title-sealing inroad in the 11th game, when Nadal netted a weary backhand to earn the right to serve out the match.

For most of the contest, he was superior in defence and attack, mentally besting Nadal to inflict another serious psychological wound on his arch-rival.

In the end, it was a dogfight.

Djokovic emerged with a $2.3 million winner’s cheque and the satisfaction of overcoming three sizeable obstacles – having 24 hours less to recover from that mammoth semi-final, giving up a first-set lead in the final and coming back from the dead in the deciding set. Nadal settled for $1.1m for his effort.

Dipping into bottomless reserves after appearing to be spent after narrowly accounting for Murray on Friday night, Djokovic out-ran and outlasted the owner of 10 majors. If it wasn’t Djokovic’s cleanest or most dazzling display, it ranks as his bravest.