MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic vanquished Andy Murray for the fourth time in an Australian Open final yesterday to win a record-equalling sixth title and serve notice to his rivals that he could surpass even his stellar 2015 this year.
The Serbian’s fifth crown in six years on his favourite court not only allowed him to match Roy Emerson’s record Australian Open tally but also brought him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11 grand slam titles.
He has won four of the last five slams, 38 of his last 39 matches, and at this rate Roger Federer’s record 17 is within range of the 28-year-old.
Although world number two Murray battled hard after losing the opening five games in the blink of an eye, the dominant manner of yesterday’s 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) victory vindicated Djokovic’s opinion that he was at the zenith of his powers.
“There’s no doubt I’m playing the best tennis of my life over the last 15 months,” the 28-year-old, who topped the ATP rankings for the whole of 2015, said.
“I do feel that I’m at the peak of my abilities and my career. I don’t think about limiting my ambitions or what I might be able to achieve.”
For Murray, distracted on his 11th visit to Melbourne Park by the illness of his father-in-law and the impending arrival of his first child, a dispiriting night ended up with a record of the wrong sort.
The Briton’s defeat was his fifth in five finals at the Australian Open. Only his former coach Ivan Lendl has lost as many at one grand slam and he at least wedged three U.S. Open titles in between the defeats.
Murray gave it everything he had in the two-hour, 53-minute baseline battle that was compelling viewing throughout an engrossing and pivotal 80-minute second set.
He was only able to delay the inevitable though.
“A lot’s been going on,” twice grand slam champion Murray, who was catching the first flight home, told reporters.
“I started the last couple of matches quite slowly, understandable in some respects.
“Obviously it’s not good to begin matches like that against someone like Novak. But I’m proud of the way I fought and managed to get myself back into the match.
“Now I just want to get home.”
Djokovic’s domination
(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic claimed his sixth Australian Open title yesterday as the 28-year-old continues to dominate men’s tennis.
Here are some of the key statistics for the all-conquering Serb.
– Djokovic (2008, 2011-13, 2015-16) has now won six Australian Opens, matching the record of Roy Emerson (1961, 1963-67).
– Djokovic now owns 46 hardcourt titles, level with American Andre Agassi and only behind Roger Federer (60).
– He has 11 grand slam titles, drawing level on the all-time list with Australian Rod laver and Swede Bjorn Borg. Ahead of him are Emerson (12), Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal (14) and Roger Federer (17).
– Djokovic has won seven consecutive tournaments.
– Since losing to Federer at last year’s Cincinnati final in August, Djokovic has won 38 of his next 39 matches.
– He has beaten world number two Murray 11 times from 12 clashes since losing to him in the 2013 Wimbledon final.
– Djokovic is on a 21-match winning streak in grand slams. He has not lost a grand slam match since he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 Roland Garros final.
– He has held the ATP number one ranking since July, 2014.