Djokovic’s dominance continues as he wins 11th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic left no room to question his dominance on Sunday night. The 28-year-old Serbian defeated No. 2 Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 7-6, en route to his third-straight Grand Slam title and 11th overall, level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. This is his sixth Australian Open title, a record among the men’s singles field. Four of those six have come against Murray. Although world number two Murray battled hard after losing the opening five games in the blink of an eye, the dominant manner of Sunday’s 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. 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.

Novak Djokovic

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. As Murray rushed to the airport to reunite with his wife, Djokovic’s celebration continued around the grounds.

A lot’s been going on. 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.

Andy Murray

Djokovic