Djokovic Defeats Murray for Third Consecutive Australian Open Title

World number one-ranked Novak Djokovic became the first man to win three straight Australian Open titles in the professional era with his victory over third-seeded Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the men’s singles finals. Djokovic, who has now won four of his six Grand Slam titles in Melbourne, managed to win the important points as the Murray suffered from blisters on his right foot and problems at the top of his left hamstring.

”Winning it three in a row, it’s incredible,” Djokovic said after his win. ”It’s very thrilling. I’m full of joy right now. It’s going to give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, that’s for sure.”

Djokovic improved to an 11-7 record over Murray in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, avenging the five-set defeat he suffered in last year’s U.S. Open final. As well as defeating Murray in the 2011 Australian Open final, he also defeated Murray in a five-set semifinal clash in Melbourne last year.

Both players produced superb service games throughout the match, with Djokovic the first to achieve a break in the eighth game of the third set, propelling him to the brink of the title after the pair had shared tie-breaks in the first two sets. Djokovic then capitalized on a flagging Murray, who had battled to a five-set win over Roger Federer on Friday, breaking early in the fourth set and then holding on to clinch the title for the fourth time.

Murray was attempting to become the first player to back up his first Grand Slam title with victory at the following major championship. Murray ended Great Britain’s 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion when he triumphed in the 2012 U.S. Open finals in September. He was contesting his third consecutive Grand Slam final, having finished runner-up to Roger Federer at Wimbledon last year.

"At this level, it can come down to just a few points here or there," said Murray. "Probably my biggest chance was at the beginning of the second set; didn’t quite get it. When Novak had his chance at the end of the third, he got his. When you go two sets to one down, you really need to get off to a good start the beginning of the fourth set because most of the guys at the top of the game, when they get a lead and momentum, it’s tough to stop them."