He is just unbeatable in the finals in Melbourne. Six appearances, a record, six victories, a record. Novak Djokovic took the status of tennis legend for himself on Sunday at the Australian Open.
Beating Andy Murray for the 22nd time in 31 matches by 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) , Novak Djokovic opened history doors for himself in tennis, clinching a record 6th Australian Open title, equalling Roy Emerson for the most singles titles conquered in the Slam down-under. Novak also made sure to join in 5th place for most Grand Slam singles titles – with 11 successes – Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. Six titles from the ultimate record, who can stop the Serb from taking full control of tennis history books? Novak leaves Melbourne on a 21-match winning streak in Grand Slam events, having lost one match in 5 tournaments, against Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final.
The Australian Open for Djokovic finished with a full circle of success. First the lead taken for the first time in his career in the Head-2-Head record against Roger Federer, a 23-22 success rate he has been chasing for as long as he has wanted to become the champion he has become. Then the 6th title in Australia beating a rival that was born just seven days before him, but that hardly ever managed to conquer him on a tennis court.
Just as it seemed in 2015, a Calendar Grand Slam could be possible for Djokovic this year, considering how not playing his best tennis he didn’t lose a set in the final against World No.2. The hard part starts now, or better two months from now, when the red clay season will kick off. There Nadal and Murray could be a bigger threat, even though the Serb has already beaten both many times on that surface. This player deserves a career Grand Slam in Paris, and that could be yet another start for another journey into tennis history books.
Murray on the other hand becomes the first player to lose 5 finals at the Australian Open without winning a title. Unable to change something in his game, unable to take his chances, Andy suffers the Serb’s game because it perfectly matches his own. Now not even a not so brilliant day at the office from the Serb is enough to have Murray win a set or look like he has a chance to win the match.
THE MATCH
Djokovic started the final in a very similar fashion as he did against Roger Federer in the semis. Hardly missing a ball, Novak put pressure on the baseline pushing Murray at the back of the court. Taking the initiative and moving fast, the World No.1 rolled over the No.2 winning the first set in just 30 minutes by 6 games to 1. At that point it seemed the match would turn out to be another perfect execution of dominance by the Serb.
CLINICAL dropshot by Djokovic! #hotshot #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZU4q9WHSMS
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 31, 2016
Djokovic took the lead also in the second set, serving up 4-3. A sudden lack of attention and aggression however, allowed Murray back into the set. The Brit broke at 30 and then managed to hold in the following game, lasting 5 minutes, to pass the Serb up 5 games to 4. Returning well deep in the court, Andy was given a chance to dictate by the Serb. Up 15-30 on the Serb’s serve, Murray was 2 points away from the set. Two cross court shots in the net by the Brit however allowed Novak right back at 5-5. Up 40-0 on his serve, Murray saw the Serb finding the courage to attack again. Novak started to return into machine mode from the baseline not missing a ball and playing always deep in the opponent’s court. Rather than trying to use a different shot to break the rhythm of the Serb, Murray decided to engage in a baseline battle, losing 5 points in a row and the game, as Djokovic broke to serve for the set up 6-5. With Djokovic staying rock solid again, Murray kept hitting and losing the majority of points. Up 30-15, Djokovic surprised firing two double faults in a row, to face a break point at 30-40. The Serb saved the point with a dubious first serve and saw his first set points as Murray fired another backhand wide. Novak completed the feat, winning the second set by 7 games to 5 as Murray hit a forehand in the net.
Djokovic started the third set having two break points, as Murray killed a smash in the net. Djokovic took the break with a stunning backhand passing shot down the line which caught the line.
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Djokovic leading 1-0 and serve, the match seemed already over. Djokovic followed with a hold to love to take a 2-0 lead. Murray had another chance to break in the 4th game, with Djokovic leading 2-1, but once again missed first, hitting a forehand wide.
Murray refused to give up in the match and had yet another break point at 30-40 with Djokovic serving at 3-2. The Serb saved the first break point with a good serve and forehand winner, but then faced another at 40-A and lost the point with a backhand finishing long. Murray came back in the set at 3-3. As the Brits on Rod Laver Arena grew louder, Andy took the lead in the set, holding serve and raising at 5-4. Djokovic served down 3-4 and hit another double fault at 30-15, giving another chance to the Scot. Murray once again failed to build on his chances and returned a forehand in the net, then missed another shot, letting Djokovic back at 4-4.
Serving well, Murray managed to hold serve once again, leading 5-4 and putting pressure on Djokovic to serve to stay in the set. As it usually happens, Djokovic reacted well to pressure, holding serve at 15 to impact on 5-5. The Brit found his best serve back in time to push the set into a possible tie-break. Firing three first serves on the line, Murray confirmed the lead up 6-5. Djokovic started the 12th game with three strong first serves, leading the points. Murray played a stunning point at the net, winning the rally with a backhand volley winner, but Novak held at 30, pushing the set to a deciding tie-break.
THE TIE-BREAK
Murray started the tie-break with a double fault on his serve, Djokovic thanked and responded with an ace, to lead 2-0. Down 0-3 Murray won the first point in the tie-break with a good first serve and backhand winner. The Brit however, lost focus and incredibly hit yet another double fault, the second in the tie-break, to allow Djokovic with a 4-1 lead. The Serb took immediately the chance firing a first serve in the middle, up 5-1. Murray hit a backhand down the line wide and Djokovic saw his first 5 consecutive match points at 6-1. On the first murray served an ace, on the second Djokovic hit a forehand wide. On his third chance, Djokovic fired an ace in the middle of the service box and won the match after almost 3 hours.
