Share

Aussie Open No 4 for Djokovic

Melbourne - Novak Djokovic wore down Andy Murray in a gruelling four-set final to clinch the professional era's first hat-trick of Australian Open titles on Sunday.

The Serbian world No 1 lost the opening set in a tie-breaker but got progressively stronger to dominate the suffering Murray and win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2 in 3hr 40min.

It was Djokovic's fourth Australian crown and his sixth Grand Slam title overall, and confirmed him as the game's premier player.

VIDEO: Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray, highlights

Djokovic, 25, became the first man in the Open Era and only 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).

"What a joy, it's an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more and it's definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam, I love this court," Djokovic said.

Murray, the British world No 3, began strongly but he battled a left hamstring injury and blistered feet as Djokovic stepped up, winning the important points and most of the lung-busting long rallies.

"I congratulate Novak. 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 very deserved champion," Murray said.

It was Djokovic's second win over 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.

Djokovic, who was handed the trophy by four-time winner Andre Agassi, re-affirmed his standing as the No 1 ranked player while Murray will remain in the third position behind Roger Federer.

It continued 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 Stanislas Wawrinka to score emphatic wins over Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer to reach the final.

In a tight opening set, Murray saved five break points over two service games before it was decided by a tie-breaker.

The Scot played virtually the perfect tie-breaker with three mini-breaks against the wavering Djokovic to go one set up after 68 hard-fought minutes.

And the Serb had to fight off three break points on his opening service in the second set as Murray remained in control.

Yet again both players held their serve and the final went into a second tie-breaker, but this time Djokovic was the steadier player winning 7/3 to level the match at the 2hr 13min mark.

The turning point came in the eighth game of the third set when Djokovic won a psychologically important point off an exhausting 36-stroke rally, leaving the Serb smiling and the Scot gasping.

Djokovic turned up the heat and got the first service break of the final, after 2hr 51min, on his third break point and then served out for a two sets to one lead.

Murray was having problems with his left hamstring and was troubled going to his forehand side as Djokovic began to take the ascendancy early in the fourth set.

He got two break points in Murray's second service game and the top seed again came out on top after a sapping 26-stroke rally, breaking the Scot's serve a second time and consolidated for a 3-1 lead.

The end approached 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.

Results from day 14 of the Australian Open on Sunday:

Men's singles

Final


Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Andy Murray (GBR x3) 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2

Mixed doubles

Final


Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)/Matthew Ebden (AUS) bt Lucie Hradecka (CZE)/Frantisek Cermak (CZE) 6-3, 7-5

Title-winners at the 2013 Australian Open:

Men's singles - Novak Djokovic, Serbia
Women's singles - Victoria Azarenka, Belarus
Men's doubles - Bob Bryan-Mike Bryan, US
Women's doubles - Sara Errani-Roberta Vinci, Italy
Mixed doubles - Jarmila Gajdosova-Matthew Ebden, Australia
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE