Djokovic set for record-equalling sixth Aus Open title
Novak Djokovic will target a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title and look to extend his supremacy over men’s tennis when he plays Andy Murray in the final later on Sunday.
The Serbian world number one and defending champion is hot favourite in his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final after pipping Murray to the title three times already at Melbourne Park.
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Should Djokovic win again, he will claim his 11th Grand Slam title and join Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on the all-time list – and inch closer to Roger Federer’s record of 17.
Novak Djokovic’s path to the final
| Rd | Opponent(country, seed) | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyeon Chung (S KOR) | 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2 | Quentin Halys(FRA) | 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 3 | Andreas Seppi(ITA, 28) | 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 |
| 4 | Gilles Simon(FRA, 14) | 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 |
| QF | Kei Nishikori(JAP, 7) | 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 |
| SF | Roger Federer(SWI, 3) | 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 |
He would also equal the tally of Australia’s Roy Emerson, who won the tournament six times between 1961 and 1967, an achievement that has gone unmatched in the 49 years since.
Djokovic, 28, is now established as the dominant force at Melbourne Park, after downing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga there to win his first major title in 2008, and beating Rafael Nadal in an epic final in 2012.
He also overcame Murray in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 finals, and arrives at this year’s decider in rare form after winning three major titles in an astonishing season last year.
This week, Djokovic demolished four-time winner Federer in a sublime semi-final to set up his sixth decider at Rod Laver Arena – a match he has never lost.
“Fighting for a Grand Slam trophy is a pinnacle of our sport. This is exactly where you want to be,” Djokovic said.
“You work hard to put yourself in this position. Of course, adding to that the fact that I am able to make history is just an additional encouragement and incentive for me to do well.
“If you want to win Grand Slam titles and be the best in the world, you have to win against the best players in the world. Going to be ready for that.”
Murray has other things on his mind in addition to the tennis – his wife Kim is expecting the couple’s first child, and the world number two has said previously that if she went into labour during the tournament, he would fly back to Britain to be with her.
Murray looking to emulate brother’s doubles victory
The 28-year-old has some other tennis history of his own to make after the success of his older brother on Saturday night, with Jamie Murray combining with Brazil’s Bruno Soares to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title.
Murray and Soares beat Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Czech Radek Stepanek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the final.
Andy Murray was present at the trophy presentation, a fact acknowledged by his brother.
“Andy you should be in bed. I don’t know why you’re here taking photos but we’ll be there supporting you,” a tearful Jamie Murray said in a courtside interview.
It was the first grand slam title for the Briton and his Brazilian partner, in their first major tournament together.
The Murrays are also the first brothers to make the men’s singles and doubles finals at the same grand slam in the Open era.
WIRES / ABC
