Melbourne, Jan 31 (IANS) World No.1 Novak Djokovic won his sixth Australian Open men’s tennis singles championship, beating No.2 Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5 7-6(3) in the final at the Rod Laver Arena here on Sunday.
Djokovic joined legends Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg with an 11th Grand Slam singles title, while his sixth crown in Australia equals the record set by Roy Emerson.
Djokovic was dominant from the beginning, breaking Murray twice to storm to a 5-0 lead and taking the first set in just 30 minutes.
Murray could win only 15 points in the first set as the top seed was nearly untouchable on serve.
Murray inched 2-1 ahead in the second set, but couldn’t make inroads on the Serbian’s serve to be pegged back at 3-3.
Djokovic broke Murray in the seventh game when the Scot hit a forehand shot wide. But the Scot rallied to break for the first time in the match for 4-4.
Djokovic then broke Murray in the 11th game of the set and served out the set, forcing Murray to send a forehand into the net.
Murray dropped his opening service game of the third set to make his task even arduous.
Murray broke back in the sixth game to make it 3-3 and extended the match to a tie-break.
But Djokovic again seized the initiative, racing to a 4-1 lead when Murray double-faulted.
The 28-year-old clinched the match with an ace after two hours and 53 minutes of play.