(GNB Desk): A sensational performance from Novak Djokovic, who won his ninth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and 18th Grand Slam trophy.
Novak Djokovic is the champion at Melbourne Park for an unprecedented ninth time, as he completed his dominant Australian Open title run with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.
The world no.1 is now two titles short of Roger Federer’s and Rafael Nadal’s all-time mark of 20 major titles.
The Serbian star delivered one of his best performances against the fourth seed to emerge victorious in one hour and 53 minutes.
Novak ended Medvedev’s 20-match winning run in emphatic fashion on Rod Laver Arena, producing a dominant display.
The Serbian star made a fast start and raced to a 3-0 lead. Despite an immediate response from his rival, who broke back to level, Djokovic put pressure on Medvedev once again in the 12th game and converted his third opportunity to close out the set.
After dropping serve early in the second set, Novak shifted into a higher gear and broke five more times to claim his third consecutive Australian Open crown.
It is his 82nd career crown in singles, 82nd match-win in Melbourne and his fifth victory from eight showdowns with the Russian.
“On the court, Daniil is one of the toughest players I have ever faced in my life. It’s only a matter of time before you hold a Grand Slam trophy,” Novak said in the trophy ceremony. “It’s amazing that he has put together a 20-match winning streak over the past few months.”
Match statistics: aces (3-6), double faults (2-4), winners (20-24), unforced errors (17-30), net points won (16/18 – 8/13), total points won (87-68).
“I would like to thank this court, I would like to thank Rod Laver Arena, I love you each year more and more – the love affair keeps going,” added Djokovic. “I think it was a very successful tournament and I’d like to praise tournament director Craig Tiley for a tremendous effort. It was challenging on many different levels and Tennis Australia should be very proud for making it possible.”
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