Djokovic humbles Murray in Open final
Novak Djokovic claimed his second Grand Slam title at the Australian
Open Sunday with a dominant display which shattered Andy Murray's dream
of becoming Britain's first male major-winner in 75 years.
The Serbian world number three controlled the final on a warm
Melbourne evening, winning 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 for his second Australian
title, after also triumphing in 2008.
It was the first major final without Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer
for three years, as Djokovic proved superior to the listless fifth seed.
"It's been a fantastic tournament for me and I just take it that
way," Djokovic said. "I don't want fly up to the sky and say I'm the
best, I cannot compare to Rafa (Nadal) and Roger's success they've had.
"Certainly, this will give me a lot of motivation and confidence for
the rest of this season because to win a Grand Slam at the start of the
season is the best start you can ask for."
But the disappointing Murray suffered further heartbreak and is now
yet to win a set in three Grand Slam finals. "You always have to try and
find a way to get back in. I thought Novak played unbelievably well
tonight," Murray said.
"So when I got ahead in some games and even just in points, he was
sticking up lobs that were landing on the baseline, passing shots that
were very close to the lines. "I was trying to find a way. I just wasn't
able to put enough good points together." Murray was bidding to become
the first British man to win a Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936, and
the first from the country to win the Australian Open since 1934.
But he was never in the hunt as his game fell away in the second set
and Djokovic ramped up the pressure to take the final in straight sets
in 2hr 39 min.
It was Djokovic's second successive Grand Slam final after losing to
Nadal in last year's US Open decider.
Symbolically, the last time Djokovic finished runner-up at the 2007
US Open, he went on to win the title at the Australian Open the
following year against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
MELBOURNE, Sunday (AFP) |
