Novak runs away with historic sixth

Melbourne, January 31 

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Novak Djokovic crushed Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) on Sunday to match Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian Open titles and leave the Briton heartbroken again at Melbourne Park.

The defending champion was at his ruthless best under the lights at Rod Laver Arena, mauling Murray in the baseline duels and closing out the match in two hours and 53 minutes.

Murray succumbed to his fifth loss in five Australian Open finals, and fourth against the Serbian world No. 1, who claimed his 11th Grand Slam title to draw level with the totals of Australian Rod Laver and Swede Bjorn Borg.

Having fended off Murray in a marathon second set, Djokovic again had to put down some stiff Murray resistance in the third as the Scot refused to go quietly.

But having been dragged into a tiebreak, Djokovic sealed the title on his third match point with a clinical ace down the T.  For a man who has owned the year’s first Grand Slam for five of the past six years, Djokovic’s celebrations were subdued and he gave Murray a consoling pat on the chest as they shook hands. After walking around the court and pumping his fist at clutches of thrilled Serbian fans, Djokovic ripped off his shirt and flung it to a young woman who jumped up and down in delight.

“Andy, you are a great champion, a great person and a great friend and I’m sure you are going to have more opportunities to fight for this trophy,” Djokovic said.

“I’d like to congratulate Novak. Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat,” said Murray. The Briton becomes only the second man to lose five finals at the same Slam — joining former coach Ivan Lendl who lost five at the US Open. — Reuters

Newly crowned champ Kerber takes a dip in Yarra

Angelique Kerber celebrated her Australian Open win by taking a dip in Melbourne’s Yarra River on Sunday. The 28-year-old’s plunge into the river was a result of a bet with Eurosport journalist Matthias Stach. Kerber, who had promised she would follow in 1992/3 Australian Open champion Jim Courier’s footsteps and take a swim in the river if she won the title, kept her word. Kerber, who became the first German since 1999 to win a Grand Slam title by defeating world No. 1 Serena Williams, took to the water just after 9am. She was joined by Stach, who had apparently lost the bet. Kerber is not the first Australian Open winner to celebrate the title win with a dip in the river. In 1991, Boris Becker took a dip, and a year later Courier took the plunge. Kerber said she was ‘trying to enjoy the swim but it was really cold.’ — Agencies

Djoker in numbers

6 Djokovic (2008, 2011-13, 2015-16) has now won six Australian Opens, matching the record of Roy Emerson (1961, 1963-67)

11 Number of Grand Slam titles he has won, 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)

46 Hardcourt titles he has won, level with American Andre Agassi and only behind Roger Federer (60)

"I am extremely honoured to be mentioned alongside some of the legends of our sport. It’s an incredible feeling in that I managed to make history and equal Roy Emerson’s record. When you have the opportunity to make history it adds to your motivation and incentive before you come out on court. I tried to channel that and use it as a positive. - Novak Djokovic

Deja vu for Andy 

“I feel like I’ve been here before,” the Briton joked with his opening words during his runner-up speech. This was Murray’s fourth loss (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open. “But I’m proud of the way I fought and managed to get myself back into the match. I’m proud that I got into this position, you know. Just looking forward to getting home now.”