Novak Djokovic has clinched a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title by once more beating Andy Murray in the decider. The dominant World No. 1 was too good for a below-par Murray, winning 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) in Sunday's final on Rod Laver Arena.
With it, Djokovic joined Roy Emerson on a record six Australian Open titles, while it marked his 11th Grand Slam title — sending him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in fifth all-time.
Such has been the Serbian's dominance, he has now won five of the past seven Grand Slams — and beaten Murray in four Australian Open deciders.
Murray seemed somewhat resigned to his fate for periods as he produced 65 unforced errors during the two hours, 53 minutes.
The World No. 2 slipped to a 22nd loss in 31 meetings with Djokovic, a win-loss record of 2-7 in Grand Slam finals and 0-5 in deciders in Melbourne.
If Djokovic was at another level heading in, he barely needed to prove it as Murray's mistakes kept him comfortable. The defending champion did what he needed to — a 30-minute first set helped — and maintained his status as king of Melbourne with his fifth crown in six years.
Djokovic had to fend off a break point in the opening game but from there he took complete control of proceedings.
Murray was being pushed around and a double fault saw him cough up his first break, before Djokovic was suddenly 4-0 ahead on the back of the Brit's errors.
A flat start — by Murray and consequently the crowd — was broken via a forehand pass, but that was only good enough for him to avoid a first-set bagel.
He held a 0-17 record against Djokovic after losing the first set, and only a huge turnaround was ever going to change that. Murray tried to get himself going early in the second and needed a tough, 12-minute hold for 2-1 as the baseline grind started.
Djokovic broke in the seventh game but failed to consolidate, a Murray crosscourt backhand clipping the line to level at 4-4. Murray was inexplicably broken from 40-0 up in the 11th game — three unforced errors costly — and Djokovic unconvincingly closed out the set.
A stunning Djokovic backhand pass down the line — almost around the net — saw him break to start the third and seemingly all but end the contest.
Murray continued to fight and he got back on serve to force a tie-break, but two double faults sent him on his way to yet another Grand Slam final loss as Djokovic completed it with an ace.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Djokovic [1] bt Murray [2] 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3)
ACES
Djokovic - 7
Murray - 12
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Djokovic - 31/41
Murray - 40/65
BREAK POINTS WON
Djokovic - 5/12
Murray - 2/6
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Djokovic - 66
Murray - 64
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Djokovic - 74/53
Murray - 68/35
TOTAL POINTS
Djokovic - 123
Murray - 99
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