Novak Djokovic has secured a record-breaking fifth Australian Open title with a hard-fought 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 victory over Andy Murray, the Scot beaten for the fourth time in the title match.
Djokovic stands alone as the most decorated champion at Melbourne Park in the Open era, surpassing Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. Only Roy Emerson, with six, stands above him in the all-time records.
A tetchy, snarling Murray pushed the world No.1 for the first three hours of a dramatic finale, drawing the best from one another in the 72-minute opening set and battling demons – Murray’s mental, Djokovic’s physical – as much as each other in the 80-minute second.
The Scot appeared to have wrestled control of the match away from Djokovic early in the third but Djokovic hit back from 2-0 down to win 12 of the next 13 games in double-quick time, sealing victory on his second match point in three hours and 40 minutes
