Djokovic grinds down Nadal to win Australian Open

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – A fatigued Novak
Djokovic stared down a ferocious challenge from Rafa Nadal to
defend his Australian Open title early today in the longest
grand slam final ever played.
The Serbian world number one, who defeated Nadal for the
Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns last year, captured the decisive
break at 5-5 in the fifth and in a frenzied atmosphere at Rod
Laver Arena rode out a 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 winner.
Crossing himself and muttering prayers at the heavens,
Djokovic slammed a cross-court forehand winner on the first
match point and collapsed to the ground in ecstasy after the
five-hour 53 minute tussle.
The win gave top seed and 2008 champion Djokovic his fifth
grand slam title before his 25th birthday, while continuing his
psychological chokehold over second seed Nadal, who he has now
beaten in seven straight finals.
The length of the match smashed the previous record of four
hours and 54 minutes set when Mats Wilander defeated Ivan Lendl
for the 1988 U.S. Open title.