Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Murray to claim fifth Australian Open title

World number one Novak Djokovic claimed a fifth Australian Open title by defeating Andy Murray in four sets.

© Getty Images

The top seed came through 7-6[5] 6-7[4] 6-3 6-0 inside the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park.

Murray and Djokovic exchanged breaks in a nervous first set that was settled in Djokovic's favour by a tiebreak.

The Briton had led 4-2 before gifting the opening set to his opponent with a careless shot that found the net.

Murray broke at the start of the second, but was immediately pegged back by the resolute Djokovic, who then moved ahead with a second consecutive break of the Murray serve.

The Scot levelled at 4-4, and both players held their serve to send the second set into a tiebreak, which Murray dominated, moving his opponent all over the court before wrapping it up with a powerful return.

A rampant Djokovic roared back at the start of the third, breaking Murray's serve to go 3-2 ahead.

A double fault from Murray handed Djokovic a second break, and the Serb served out to take the third set 6-3.

A distracted Murray then gifted his opponent the opening game of the fourth set, and Djokovic wasted no time in dismantling the Scot's game, securing the fourth set 6-0 to clinch the title.

The result is Djokovic's fifth Australian Open title and Murray's fourth final appearance at the tournament without success.