Djokovic masters Murray for sixth Australian Open title

Novak Djokovic has again beaten Andy Murray in the Australian Open final, claiming a record-equalling sixth title in Melbourne on Sunday.

With it, Djokovic joined Roy Emerson on a record six Australian Open titles, while it marked his 11th career crown – sending him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in fifth all-time.

epa05137543 Novak Djokovic (C) of Serbia celebrates his win against Andy Murray of the United Kingdom during the Men’s final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2016.

“Most of the matches we played in slams I think have been competitive”, Murray said. At 11:15 p.m. local time, Murray said he was aiming for a 1 a.m. flight – “I’ve been held on flights for it feels like five days. Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat and also what he’s done in the previous year or so has been incredible consistency, so well done to him and all of his team”. “Thank you so much for all of your support and I’ll be on the next plane home”, he said in a faltering voice.

He had 24 more than the 11-times grand slam champion Djokovic, who won exactly 24 more points than Murray. And while the Serb came out firing, Murray was off his game in a first set that lasted 30 minutes but upped his game in the second. Murray was the aggressor in this set (21 winners to eight), but also had more unforced errors, hitting 34 to Djokovic’s 19.

Murray’s father-in-law Nigel Sears was rushed to hospital after collapsing at the arena last weekend while he watched Ana Ivanovic, whom he coaches.

“A lot’s been going on”, Murray said.

“These three guys have been the most dominant ones next to me”. While many European players start on clay, Djokovic took his first cuts at the ball on the hardcourts across the street from his parents’ ski shop and restaurant in the Serbian resort Kopaonik.

Murray’s Melbourne Park campaign ended in familiar circumstances, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final for the fourth time.

“Obviously when you get into these stages of tournaments you want to have as much gas in the tank as possible”, said Koenig.

“I’m proud of the way I fought and managed to get myself back into the match. It’s at 1:00, I think”. This will be Murray’s ninth major final, but he only has those two trophies to show for it.

Another overpowering win kept him head and shoulders above his peers at the Australian Open, but Novak Djokovic said fears of a “big slap from karma” make him humble as he continues his quest for Grand Slam history.

“I think I didn’t hit my forehand particularly well at the beginning of the match”.

It got worse very quickly when Djokovic broke Murray in the opening game of the second set, but Murray broke back for 4-all.

But having been dragged into a tiebreak, Djokovic sealed the title on his third match point with a clinical ace down the T.

The lone threat for Djokovic at the sport’s four crown jewels lately is Stan Wawrinka – he deprived the Belgrade native of a calendar year grand slam at Roland Garros, the lone major to elude the world No. 1.

They’d play to a third-set tiebreak, the momentum appearing to be on Murray’s side.

“It’s a great privilege to match the record of one of the greatest players to play the game”, he added, referring to Laver who was watching on. “When I get to play them, I know exactly what kind of game plan to execute”.