MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic‘s face was a collage of emotion – triumph and defiance. After four hours at the Rod Laver Arena, when he took on a spirited Dominic Thiem and a full house, most of whom backed his opponent, the Serb’s hands went up in celebration. It was a record eighth Australian Open title. And more.
Djokovic won 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 to claim his 17th Major crown, which made him the first man in the Open Era to win Grand Slams in three different decades, having won his first title here 12 years ago.
The victory on Sunday saw Djokovic inch closer to Roger Federer‘s record haul of 20 Grand Slams, a number he’s gunning for. The Serb, who takes home the winner’s cheque of A$4,120,000, will also return to the top spot in the ATP rankings.
“This is my favourite court, my favourite stadium. I’m blessed to be holding this trophy once again,” said Djokovic, who sported a jersey initialed ‘KB’ in memory of his mentor and friend, the legendary Kobe Bryant.
Thiem, who battled to the finish in his third Grand Slam final, collected a cheque of A$2,065,000. “Amazing achievement, Novak,” he told the winner.
When Thiem won his first point of the match at 30-15 in the opening game, the shout from the stands was loud and decisive. No question of who the deep-throated cheers were reserved for. And when the 26-year-old sent a tame backhand into the net in his first service game, after going up 40-15, a loud moan echoed through the grounds. Shouts of ‘Come on, Nole’ were stray and for most part coming from a section of the upper bowl where Serbian fans sat. The Austrian got on the scoreboard after 18 minutes, when he beat the 32-year-old at his own game, using the geometry of the court.
Against Djokovic, who is per force aided by courts that have slowed down significantly in recent years, holding serve was going to be a tough proposition. Thiem broke in the seventh game, at 15, a thunderous forehand beating the world No. 2. Serving to stay in the set, at 4-5, the powerhouse fell behind 0-30, and after 48 minutes of action, Djokovic had a set point, which Thiem saved, then gave himself a chance to hold, but finally double-faulted the set away. Every season in a game, something like the Melbourne weather.
Thiem went ahead when he broke in the third game of the second set. Djokovic came back, following a gritty hold in the seventh to break serve and level in the eighth game. He reopened the counter that a break of serve counts for very little against the man whose rapier-like returns has cut the best of serves to shreds.
There was a curve ahead, but it came with no warning. In the ninth, the Serb threw in a double and sent a backhand into the net to fall back 15-40 in a game in which he got two time violations, leading to a loss of serve. The second seed was forced to serve a second serve at 15-40.
At the changeover, Djokovic patted chair umpire Damien Dumusois on his feet, giving him a thumbs-up. He followed it up with a verbal jibe. Thiem then held serve to level at a set apiece.
Djokovic walked off the court at the end of the set to gather himself more than for a change of shirt. The Serb then lost two service games and was down 0-4. When the second seed held serve in the fifth game, he punctuated a seven-game losing streak. Djokovic was the fresher player, but appeared to be in trouble. He left the court at the end of the set.
The Serbian returned to hold serve with ease and then broke Thiem in the eighth game before levelling at two sets apiece. It was Djokovic who broke in the third game. He did one better in the fourth game, fighting off two break points. In a snap of fingers, Djokovic was floating around the court again.
A fan with the words ‘Serbia Against The World’ printed across his tee led the cheers at 5-3 as the crowd egged Thiem to keep it going. A forehand error by Thiem in the tenth game brought the curtains down.
Source : timesofindia