Melbourne, Jan 31 (IANS) Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic rolled to a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3) win over Britain’s Andy Murray in the Australian Open men’s singles final at the Melbourne Park here on Sunday, tying Australian great Roy Emerson for most titles at the Grand Slam event with six.
The 28-year-old Djokovic needed two hours and 53 minutes to beat Murray in what turned out to be a replay of last year’s final, when he rolled over the Scot 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0, reports Efe.
Djokovic tied Emerson as a six-time Australian Open champion on Sunday night at the Rod Laver Arena and now has 11 Grand Slam titles, joining Swedish great Bjorn Borg and the legendary Rod Laver in fifth place on the list of most Major titles.
“I am extremely honoured to be mentioned with the legends of our sports like Rod Laver, who is present tonight. Roy Emerson, who is not here tonight, it is a great privilege to equal your record of six Australian Opens,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic is continuing this year where he left off in 2015 when he won three of the four Grand Slam events, falling short only at the French Open, where he lost to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka. Roland Garros is still the only Grand Slam event that the Serb has not won.
“Each time we play a Grand Slam is very unique kind of feeling and circumstances,” Djokovic said.
The World No.1 also won the Australian Open in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and last year.
Murray, also 28, now has a 9-22 head-to-head record against Djokovic and is 2-7 in Grand Slam finals. The Scot beat Djokovic in the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon finals.
“Feel like I have been here before. Firstly, I (would) like to congratulate Novak. Six Australian Open titles is an incredible feat, incredible consistency,” Murray said.