.png)
Novak Djokovic retained his title in Melbourne after a thrilling five-set battle with Rafael Nadal which clocked in at 5hr 53min - the longest title match in grand slam history.
After winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 for his third consecutive major title, the Serb ripped off his shirt in celebration and marched to his players' box flexing his muscles and then hugging his coach.
The match outstripped the 1988 US Open final between Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl, which lasted 4hr 54min, and also beat the Australian Open record of 5hr 14min set by Nadal and Fernando Verdasco.
Djokovic has now beaten the Spaniard in three consecutive grand slam finals and seven consecutive title matches overall.
After an hour and 20 minutes, Nadal won the first set 7-5 before Djokovic found his rhythm in the second set, levelling the match on his fourth set point and ran away with the third set, overpowering Nadal and breaking him to love to win it 6-2.
The fourth set became very tense when Nadal gather his fightback after saving three break points in breathtaking style to level at 4-4 but the action was suspended while the roof was closed and the court dried due to rain. After the restarted the set went to a tie-break where Nadal clinched the set at his first opportunity.
The Spaniard now suddenly looked the more likely winner edging Djokovic in the final set but Djokovic broke in the 11th game when Nadal netted with a backhand, and he saved a break point before serving out for the championship.
"Good morning everybody," were Nadal's first words of whimsy at the microphone. "And congratulations to Novak. He deserved it. I will come back here a lot of years and will keep fighting."
Djokovic, shattered, kept it brief too. "First of all, Rafa, you are one of the best plays ever, one of the most respected players on the Tour. We made history tonight. Unfortunately there couldn't be two winners tonight. I hope that we will have many more matches like this, many more finals."
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Grace A Comment!