Novak Djokovic Captures Fifth Australian Open Title

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray Ausie Open
Reuters
Mary Chastain

The first two sets between No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 6 Andy Murray played as some of the most intense in recent history before Djokovic soared through to win 7-6(7-5), 6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-0.

It appeared Djokovic would have next to no problem defeating Murray, but he took a tumble and scraped his thumb after he was up 5-3 in the first set. He lost control and allowed Murray to break his serve. He received treatment, but did not fully recover as Murray pushed him to tie the set 5-5. Djokovic won the next game, but Murray forced a dreaded tiebreak. Unfortunately, Djokovic double faulted to start and Murray jumped to a 2-0 lead. However, Djokovic regained his composure and remembered he is the best player in the world. Murray double faulted and Djokovic took advantage of Murray’s nerves to force him to commit errors. Djokovic won the set in a little over an hour. The stats show why spectators pulled out their hair:

The second set did nothing to calm anyone’s nerves due to constant momentum shifts. Djokovic stumbled and fell numerous times. Murray jumped to a 2-0 start due to errors on Djokovic’s part. Then Djokovic managed to easily break Murray to win the third game and glided to the fourth game to go up 3-2. He won thirteen straight points and broke Murray two times in a row before the Scotsman finally won another game.

Action was rudely interrupted by two morons who decided it was smart to jump onto the court as others unraveled a banner. Security quickly surrounded Djokovic and Murray to protect them.

The delay was only four minutes, but it was all Murray needed to gain energy. He broke Djokovic, scored twelve out of fourteen points, and went up 5-4. How crazy was the set until now? Murray was up 2-0, then Djokovic went 4-2, and Murray grabbed control at 5-4, which forced Djokovic to serve to continue the second set. Of course the set only got more bizarre. Djokovic went 40-0 on Murray, who came back! The game went into four deuces and Djokovic eventually came out victorious. Murray was not finished and the set ended with another tiebreak, but Murray won the set. This Vine perfectly describes the first sets:

Murray started the third set 2-0, but that was the end of him. Djokovic steamrolled over him in the third and fourth set even though he continued to tumble. Murray could not hold back his frustration as he constantly yelled at himself on court. Djokovic won the last set 6-0, which is exactly how he defeated defending champion Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals.

Djokovic took his trophy with a smile on his face and congratulated his opponent.

In the press room, Murray admitted Djokovic’s injury was a factor.

“I’m frustrated at myself to let that bother me,” he said. “I’ve never experienced that in a Grand Slam final before. Maybe the occasion was something to do with it. I don’t know.”

Djokovic said the title means more since he became a father and husband in 2014.

“I think it has deeper meaning, more intrinsic value now to my life because I’m a father and a husband,” he said. “It’s the first Grand Slam title I won as a father and a husband. Just feel very, very proud of it.”

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