Djokovic wins epic final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic battled past Rafael Nadal in an epic, five-set Australian Open final which clocked in at 5hr 53min – the longest title match in grand slam history – yesterday.

Djokovic fought back from losing the first set to take a 2-1 lead, but he was then taken to a gripping fifth set by resurgent Nadal before winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 for his third consecutive major title.

The nail-biting match of wildly swinging fortunes, played in front of an enthralled crowd, started before 8 p.m. (Australia time) and did not wind up until 1.40 a.m., and was also the longest in the tournament’s history.

Djokovic, who picks up a cheque for US$2.4 million, has now beaten the Spaniard in three consecutive grand slam finals and seven consecutive title matches overall.

“Rafa, you’re one of the best players ever. You’re one of the most respected guys on the tour,” he said.

“We made history tonight, and unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners. But I wish you all the best for this season.”

Djokovic’s win, his fifth grand slam title, means he joins rarified company. Only Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer (twice) and Nadal have previously won three consecutive grand slams in the open era.

The Serb, who had a gruelling five-set semi-final win over Andy Murray, came into the final with a day less rest than Nadal, and having complained about allergy-related breathing problems in Melbourne.

He struggled to get into the match early on against his never-say-die opponent, slamming racquet to the ground when he was broken and falling a set behind but, re-energised, he found his rhythm in the second set to level.

Starting to dictate, the defending champion ran away with the third set, overpowering Nadal and breaking him to love to win it 6-2.

But the 25-year-old from Majorca refused to be beaten and dragged himself back into the contest through sheer force of will. But in a surreal addition to the mounting tension, action was suspended for rain so that organisers could close the stadium roof and dry the court.

When play restarted the fourth set went to a tie-break, with Nadal clinching it at his first opportunity on a Djokovic forehand error to set up the decider.

And in the dramatic fifth set Nadal secured a crucial break in the sixth game, but with the Spaniard now suddenly looking the more likely winner, Djokovic battled back to secure a break of his own.

With players refusing to give an inch, the Serbian top seed broke again in the 11th game, in almost unbearable tension, saved a break point as he served out for the championship.

The match was longer than 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 in 2009.

Mixed doubles

American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau, of Romania, won the Australian Open mixed doubles title yesterday, beating Indian-Russian pairing Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina in a match tie-break.

The eighth seeds ran away with the decider after Paes and Vesnina levelled the match, winning 6-3, 5-7, 10/3 in one hour and 42 minutes.

Veteran Indian Paes won the men’s doubles with Radek Stepanek on Saturday.