Djokovic defeats Murray for sixth title

In a dream final match, top-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated the second seed, Andy Murray, in straight sets of 6/1, 7/5, 7/6, to pick his sixth Australian Open title. It was the fourth time he defeated the Scot in the finals and the fifth to be lost by his opponent.

The defending champion broke Murray’s serve in the first and third games of the first set to reach 5-0 before Murray got on the scoreboard to prevent a shut-out. Serving for the set, Djokovic won the first point, got leveled at 15-all, then 30-all. He had game point that was canceled by a service return winner by Murray. He had the first advantage point and lost it.

On the second opportunity, he delivered a strong service that Murray sent into the net.

The first set was over in 30 minutes, but the second set was the battle of the entire sporting war. Murray opened serving and reached 30-0 after winning a long rally that featured exchange of crosscourt shots to their respective backhand sides.

A 211kph put him at game point and he clinched on a service return error by Djokovic. Djokovic won easily.

Murray double-faulted in the first point of the third game and survived three break points to lead 2-1, but Djokovic held his serve easily in the fourth game.

In the fifth, Murray ran down an overhead lob and further chased a short volley to drive a winner down the line. The stadium crowd was ecstatic! Djokovic was stretched in the fifth game. After a 21-shot rally he was down 0-30 but got the first game point, followed by two deuces before he held.

An exchange of breaks led to four-all. Murray opened the ninth game with a blistering 203 kph, then 201kph to go up 30-0 ace, but was down break point saved by a serve that landed on the middle serviced line; lost the first two advantage points and saved another before taking the game to lead 5-4.

Serving with new tennis balls, Djokovic held quickly, in the pattern of the whole match. In the 11th game, Murray was up 400 but Djokovic won a 36shot rally to deny his opponent the game point and went to break despite two net-cord shots by Murray.

In the 12th game, Djokovic hit consecutive double-faults to go down 30-40, yet he forced game to deuce and took it when Murray’s drive hit the middle of the net. Djokovic took the second set after 80 minutes. Against another player, the second set would have been for Murray.

Murray opened serving in the third set and won first point, and then at 15-30 he missed an overhead smash to face break point. He drove Djokovic far wide, but he hit a backhand shot over the net post to take the game.

In the momentum of that exciting game, he took the second game at love. Murray won the third game on a service return error to reduce the score 1-2, but Djokovic held and broke Murray for a 3-1 lead.

Serving at 3-2, Djokovic fell behind 0-15 and then 30-40 before taking game to deuce. An overhead smash winner gave Murray advantage point and the game.

At this stage, Murray’s serve picked up and he held his games quickly, just as his opponent also. Serving to save the set in the 11th game, Djokovic went up 30-0, then delivered an ace that was unsuccessfully challenged, to have three game points.

Two volley shots at the net got him game and into tie break. Murray lost first point on his serve and his opponent consolidated with an ace to and went up 3points to none. Murray reduced the tally but Djokovic took four straight points to reach match point.

Murray saved two by taking his service points. At six points to three, Djokovic served and Murray returned the ball deep. It was all over and Djokovic had the third set 7-6.

Immediately after he won the final point, Djokovic went down on his knees, kissed the court and tapped the surface with his bare hands for a few moments.

It was his seventh Australian Open where he won his first ever Grand slam title in Melbourne in 2008. He now has in his kitty, a total of 11 such titles. He received the Norman Brookes Challenge trophy from Australian great, Ken Rosewall.