Tennis- Andy Murray in the Australian Open- Andy Murray loses Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic for FOURTH time as Serb proves too strong

It was Djokovic's sixth triumph in Melbourne - equalling the record held by Roy Emerson - after beating Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 

 

Andy Murray suffered heartbreak in the Australian Open final for a record fifth time when he was thrashed in three sets by Novak Djokovic.
It is the fourth time the unstoppable Serb has beaten the Scot in the final here since 2011 – and the British No 1 can now go home to see his pregnant wife Kim.

Murray recovered from a sluggish start when he lost the first five games in 19 minutes and seemed to have one foot on the plane. TV microphones picked him up muttering: “This is the worst match I have ever played.”

But the Olympic champion fought back to make the match a contest before he went down 6-1 7-5 7-6 in two hours and 53 minutes. But the result was never really in doubt in the one-sided contest between the top two players in the world

The final was exactly three hours shorter than the 2012 marathon final here between Djokovic and Rafa Nadal.

Runner-up, again: But Murray has left Britain proud once more


Andy Murray reacts after losing the first set


Fine form: Novak Djokovic took the first set with ease

Anguish: Murray came close in the second set - but it wasn't enough against the world No.1

It is the Serb's record-equalling sixth title Down Under – the same as the great Roy Emerson – draws level with legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on 11 Grand Slams.

He came up one match of a calendar Grand Slam last year and such is his current dominance, the Serb could go all the way this time.

Andy Murray's Aus Open record

R-U

2010

R-U

2011

SF

2012

R-U

2013

R-U

2015

R-U

2016

Set-by-set verdict from Neil McLeman in Melbourne

FIRST SET
The Serb won the first five games in only 19 minutes after a disastrously passive start by the black-clad Murray.

The Scot prevented the bagel in the sixth game – and ended a streak of 14 losing games against the Serb here starting in last year's final when he won the final nine games.

Andy Murray hits a shot

But Djokovic was 17-0 against Murray when winning the first set – and that stat wasn't about to change.

Murray vs Djokovic - first set

1-6

Score

1-2

Aces

5-10

Winners

SECOND SET
The Scot came out with more attacking conviction in the second set, especially unloading his double handed backhand.

 Murray battered groundshots into the corners but the ball kept coming back with more and more purchase from the super Serb.

The Scot held service in an 11-minute service game at 1-1 after saving three break points while receiving a time violation.

He broke to go 4-3 up after Murray, again trying to force the pace, sent a forehand long. But the world No 2 finally broke Djokovic's serve after 80 minutes to draw back level at 4-4.

AFP/Getty Images

Sun sets over day fourteen of the 2016 Australian Open

The crucial game came at 5-5 when Murray led 40-0 but was broken after Djokovic saved the third game point after a lung-busting 36-shot rally ended with the Scot pulling a backhand into the tramlines. The Serb then won the next two rallies of 10 and 18 shots.
With Djokovic winning 171 of his 172 five-set matches after being two sets up, the end was then nigh.

Murray vs Djokovic - second set

5-7

Score

9-2

Aces

21-8

Winners

THIRD SET
Djokovic broke Murray's serve for a fifth time in the first game of the third set with an outrageous backhand which clipped the outside of the line. Yet Murray kept fighting and won three games in a row to lead 4-3 before the tiebreak.
The Scot started with his fourth double fault – and sent down another to trail 4-1. A wild Murray backhand into the tramlines gave Djokovic five championship points – and he took the hthird with an ace down the middle.

Murray vs Djokovic - third set

6-7

Score

2-3

Aces

14-13

Winners

STATS
Djokovic broke Murray's serve five times to two. And although the Scot hit more winners bidding to force the match (40 v 31) he also committed more unforced errors (65 v 41).
Murray's former coach Ivan Lendl is the only other man to lose five Grand Slam finals at the same event – at the US Open 1982-4 and 1988-89 – but the Czech-born American also won that title three times (1985-87)

Novak Djokovic hits a shot as spectators watch

VERDICT
Already this year, Djokovic has thrashed Rafa Nadal (in Doha), Roger Federer (in the semis) and now Murray – and taken a 6-1 set off all of them.

He has now beaten Murray in 11 matches out of 12 since the 2013 Wimbledon final – and in all four

Grand Slam matches since then.
He is the best player on the planet – and could equal Federer's record of 17 Major titles by the age of 30. 

 

Completing his career Grand Slam at the French Open will again be his next target. Right now, Murray and the rest are playing for second place