Australian Open 2015 Men's Final Highlights: Novak Djokovic Beats Andy Murray for 8th Grand Slam
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in a battle of physical prowess for his fifth Australian Open win. Here are the highlights from the match.
Shubhodeep Chakravarty
Sunday, 01 February, 2015 18:18 IST
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Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray battled each other hard for four sets with the Serbian finally proving why he is the world No. 1. Here are the highlights from the match. (Got a view, want to comment? Tweet using @sports_ndtv or give us a shout on myvoice@ndtv.com)
Murray Djokovic 12
A combined photo of Andy Murray (L) and Novak Djokovic in action during Australian Open 2015.© AFP
All times are in IST.
* Bets quotes from post-match ceremony:
Djokovic: Andy, you're a true fighter and you played really well today. Congratulations on your wedding and hope you have many kids.
Djokovic: My team and family have sacrificed a lot for my wins. I would like to give a big thanks to them.
Murray: Congratulations Novak for a really good game. I couldn't win today but I was closer than ever. I will continue to fight harder.
1755: Novak Djokovic does it! He wins 6-0 in the final set to claim the Australian Open 2015 trophy.
1745: Murray is tiring. He's already slammed his racquet once. Djokovic on the other hand, has built a 4-0 lead and is smelling the finish line.
1734: Murray comes out all guns blazing in the fourth set but Djokovic still manages to create a 2-0 lead. Not surprisingly, the game is just beginning to slow down.
1725: Djokovic holds on to win the third set 6-3. How will Murray come back now? What changes, if any, will he make? Bring on 4th set!
1720:� Murray slams his racquet down as he lets Djokovic open up a 5-3 lead. The Briton was guilty of a few double faults there.
1716: Extraordinary battle between two men at the peak of their fitness. Djokovic in 4-3 lead and he once again asks fans to increase decibel levels.
1710: Murray picks one up to make it 3-3. He breezed to 40-0 in that game and managed to seal it with an emphatic forehand that Djokovic didn't even bother chasing.
1707: In a see-saw battle which promises to keep the night lamps burning till late, Djokovic gets the lead in the third set for the first time.
1656: Djokovic may be tired but giving up is not what this world No. 1 does. He wins third game.
1654: Murray has quickly taken 2-0 lead against Djokovic in the third set. The Briton seems to be making most of the momentum against Djokovic who is looking fatigued now.
Andy Murray Melbourne 120
Is it going to be Andy Murray's night in Melbourne today?© AP
1645: Murray wins the second set to make it 1-1 against Djokovic. His fans in the stands cannot believe it and are now nearing record decibel levels in Melbourne.
1638: Once again, it's a tie-break that will decide the winner of the set.
1632: Murray makes Djokovic run from one end to the other. On his own serve, the Briton manages to take 6-5 lead in the second set.
1620: Djokovic holds on. He makes it 5-5 in the second, turns to his supporters behind him and demands they scream louder!
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Novak Djokovic gestures to his fans in the stands.© AP
1610: The unexpected stop a few minutes ago may have freshened Murray and he now has a great chance to win the second set and draw level in the match.
1608: Fans seem as pumped up as the players on the court. Murray now level at 4-4 against Djokovic.
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An aerial shot of Rod Laver Arena as Novak Djokovic battles Andy Murray.© AP
1604: Match resumes after a short delay. There was a giant flag in the stands behind Murray - message on in not clearly visible. Two fans even managed to breach security and run into the middle. A section of fans were even heard booing and have reportedly been removed. Security officials were onto it in a flash. Details awaited but a needless interruption for sure. Update: The flag reportedly had some political message.
The Final interrupted by a protest of some sort during the changeover. At least two intruders run on to the court. pic.twitter.com/s9Bgwp6Jkd
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 1, 2015
Aus Open protest
Political protesters show their banner during the men's singles final between Andy Murray of Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia.© AP
1558: Time for Murray to pull one back. It's now 3-4.
1554: The Serbian is stepping it up now and has a 4-2 cushion in the second set. Murray is visibly agitated on the court.
Andy Murray despair
Andy Murray reacts after losing a point against Novak Djokovic.© AFP
1547: Djokovic draws level at 2-2 to put pressure on Murray at the other end of the court.
1540: Murray takes the second game but a resilient Djokovic fights back to make it 1-2.
1533: Murray comes out looking a bit more determined in the second set. He takes the 1st game.
1525: Serbian fans celebrate as Djokovic wins a hotly-contested 1st set against Murray (7-5) in 72 minutes.
Novak Djokovic yoga
That ain't yoga! Novak Djokovic manages to win the 1st set despite tumbling and diving all around.© AP
1512: 1st set between Murray and Djokovic moves into tie-break.
1508: Pushed against the wall of sorts, Djokovic fires two aces to make it 6-5.
1505: Momentum shifts in favour of Murray as he now draws level at 5-5.
1501: Murray survives. He decided to stick to the baseline and patience rewards him. It's now 4-5 against Djokovic.
1457: Djokovic in bit of nagging discomfort. The skin on top of his thumb had come off as he scraped it on court while playing a shot. Nonetheless, he takes 5-3 lead.
Thumb injury
A view of Novak Djokovic's slightly injured right thumb.© AP
1448: Murray hits back hard and makes it 3-4 in the first set against Djokovic.
1442: Kim Sears gets a reason to smile. She was guilty of abusing in Murray's last match but the Scot fights back to make it 2-4 today, getting her to reveal her smile. Don't miss the T-shirt!
Jelena Ristic T shirt
Kim Sears watches Andy Murray battle Novak Djokovic.© AP
1437: The world No. 1 is showing just why he is the top player. Djokovic now leads 4-1.
1431: Djokovic is lightening on the court. He is moving like a bullet train on the court. Coach Boris Becker has already punched the air several times as his ward leads 3-1.
1427: Long rallies - longest being 27 - show signs that this may be a long Melbourne night. Djokovic leads 2-1.
1422: Murray hits and hits hard to win the second. He made full use of his backhand power and made it count on his serve.
1415: Djokovic races to win the first game.
1410: Warm ups are done, time for action. Here comes the first game of the first set.
* Thunderous welcome for both Djokovic and Murray as they make their way out for their Australian Open title match!
Andy Murray entry
Andy Murray makes his way out for the Australian Open title match.© AFP
* The stage is set, the spotlights are on, the fans are restless for their heroes to come out and battle in what promises to be an epic match. Melbourne tonight is like no other city in the world.
* Tennis can be absolutely draining on the body but Grand Slams have their luxuries as well. Take Australian Open for example. From berries and sushi to plunge pools, exotic salons and fantastic gyms, organisers have spared no expense in pampering players. (Read full report here)
* The best part about having the women's final a day before that of the men's match is that Serena can unwind and soak up the Melbourne sun. Here's what she did a day after beating Maria Sharapova for her 19th Grand Slam title.
* Breaking: Paes and Hingis win mixed doubles title! (Read report | Highlights)
Both Djokovic and Murray are chasing history Down Under. They have played sublime tennis to reach the title stage of Australian Open but here is where they would be tested most.
The winners trophy is winched into Rod Laver Arena, and presented by Roy Emerson #ausopenhttp:///MWhzT0xxFp
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2015
The Serbian is looking to become the first man in Open era to win five times in Melbourne. If he wins, he would also be one short of Roy Emerson's record of six, won before the game went professional in 1968.
Don't count Murray out though. He is looking to win his first title here despite appearing in four finals - including Sunday's match. This is the most that a player has taken without winning the Grand Slam.
Under coach Amelie Mauresmo, Murray has enjoyed both highs and lows but has definitely looked in good touch in the ongoing tournament.
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United in the stands! Fans of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray pose before the start of the Australian Open final.© AFP
Best quotes:
Andy Murray: It would be a big upset if I manage to win. I have never won against him here in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic: It's nice that we are playing another Grand Slam final. We have a very good relationship, my team and his team, so we always joke around.
Martina Navratilova: Andy's looking fantastic. It's the best I've seen him look.
Todd Woodbrdige: Andy looks as good as he did when he won Wimbledon.
Gilles Muller: Novak is probably the best baseliner at the moment.

Video courtesy: Australian Open TV
http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/236863-australian-open-2015-men-s-final-live-novak-djokovic-vs-andy-murray?dadasd
Novak Djokovic
Andy Murray
Tennis