Distracted Murray comes up short again in Melbourne

Although world number two Murray battled hard after losing the opening five games in the blink of an eye, the dominant manner of yesterday’s 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) victory vindicated Djokovic’s opinion that he was at the zenith of his powers.

Novak Djokovic is placing no limits on what he might achieve after storming to a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title on Sunday night.

It moved the 28-year-old to 11 Grand Slam titles, joint fifth on the all-time list and, at his current rate, closing fast on Roger Federer’s all-time record of 17.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the trophy after winning the final of men’s singles against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2016.

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

The British world number two had pledged to quit the tournament if his wife went into labour, and he was also close to pulling out when his father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsed at Rod Laver Arena last week. “I started the last couple of matches quite slowly, [which is] understandable in some respects, I think”. “Thanks for your support and I’ll be on the next flight home”.

“I feel like I’ve been here before”, Murray said jokingly as he took the microphone. Against Murray he ran through the first set and then, when Murray upped the ante on his groundstrokes in the second and third sets, he used his incredible athleticism to nullify the threat.

Djokovic had won 10 of his previous 11 matches against Murray and was 21-9 in their career meetings – including four finals at the Australian Open.

“I tried not to think of records”, Djokovic said.

Two-time major victor Murray, meanwhile, became only the second man to lose five finals at one major – Ivan Lendl lost five and won three U.S. Open finals in the 1980s.

Beaten finalist Andy Murray said the Australian Open has been “hard” and he is keen to reunite with his pregnant wife Kim. But Djokovic broke for 4-3 but immediately lost the lead a game later.

It looked like game over but Murray roused himself to break back at 3-3 and he still had a glimmer of hope when the tiebreak began. Djokovic only had his serve broken twice. Murray went an early break up in the third with Djokovic seemingly struggling with an injury.