NOVAK DJOKOVIC TRIUMPHS FOR A SIXTH TIME AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2016 WITH A VICTORY OVER ANDY MURRAY A FIVE TIME RUNNER-UP

Written by: Staff on 31st January 2016

NOVAK DJOKOVIC TRIUMPHS FOR A SIXTH TIME AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2016 WITH A VICTORY OVER ANDY MURRAY A FIVE TIME RUNNER-UP

epa05137543 Novak Djokovic (C) of Serbia celebrates his win against Andy Murray of the United Kingdom during the Men's final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2016. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic tied Roy Emerson with a record six Australian Open titles when he beat Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3) in Sunday night’s final. Djokovic has now won this tournament five times in the last six years after prevailing in two hours and 53 minutes. The Serb also triumphed Down Under in 2008 before starting his current run in 2011.

Andy Murray of the United Kingdom plays a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Mens Final on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2016. EPA/LUKAS COCH

Murray was up against the odds in his effort to stop Djokovic, and not just because the world No. 1 has dominated the ATP World Tour for more than a whole season now. The underdog Scot was coming off a five-setter against Milos Raonic in the semis and had one fewer day of rest than his opponent. Murray has also been dealing with off-the-court distractions–including the fact that he is going to become a father in a matter of a few weeks.

As such, it was hardly a surprise when Djokovic coasted through the opening set with the loss of just one game. He also went ahead by a quick break in the second. That’s when Murray finally made a match of it to keep the Rod Laver Arena crowd entertained. The second seed broke back en route to a 5-5 tie before cracking from 40-0 up in the 11th game.

“The end of the second set, obviously the game I lost 40-love up, was a tough one,” Murray lamented. “Maybe I could have nicked that set. I was starting to have quite a lot of opportunities in the second. I had a few chances there. Then obviously in the third I felt like towards the end of the set, after I got the break back again, that I was creating a few chances.”

Murray also broke back in the third, but he could not force a fourth. After improbably playing his way into a tiebreaker, the Scot ran out of gas–perhaps both mentally and physically. He double-faulted on the first point and did the same at 1-4 to all but end his chances. Murray saved two championship points on serve at 1-6 and 2-6, but Djokovic clinched victory at 6-3 with his seventh ace.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a shot against Andy Murray of Britain during the Men’s Final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2016. EPA/LYNN BO BO

“He definitely made me work,” the winner said of Murray. “There were a lot of long rallies, long exchanges. We were both breathing heavily towards the end of the second and the third set. But that’s what you expect.”

In addition to tying Emerson, Djokovic also equaled Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver with 11 career Grand Slam titles.

“Every Grand Slam title is very significant in its own way,” Djokovic commented. “Here, because of the fact that I managed to make history tonight and equal Roy Emerson’s six Australian Open titles. Very honored to be mentioned alongside legends of our sport by Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, win as many Grand Slams as they did. You know, I can’t lie and say I didn’t think about it. Of course it was in back of my mind. Coming into the court I knew that I have a chance to make the history.”

Murray, meanwhile, is now a five-time Aussie Open runner-up.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Australian Open final, Djokovic vs. Murray, Melbourne tennis, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, sports news, Tennis

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dusanVemic says:

January 31, 2016 at 2:49 pm

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Yilsencita says:

January 31, 2016 at 3:32 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@DjokerNole Triumphs For A Sixth Time At #AusOpen #Tennis 2016 With A Victory Over #Murray
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elaine72586 says:

January 31, 2016 at 6:50 pm

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