Novak Djokovic's dominance of Andy Murray continued with a thrilling four-set win in the Australian Open final marking his eighth grand slam crown.
The world No. 1 made it three wins in as many Melbourne Park finals against Murray with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0 victory on Sunday.
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A mixture of class, remarkable defense and clever play contributed to Djokovic's fifth Australian Open title.
Murray more than matched Djokovic for large parts, but he failed to capitalize when the Serbian was — or at least looked — at his most vulnerable.
In the end, Djokovic's ability to jump on Murray's lapses proved decisive — as did 53 winners in three hours 39 minutes.
Murray's fiancé Kim Sears sat in the player's box donning a jumper with the words "Parental Advisory, Explicit Content" following her foul-mouthed rant at Tomas Berdych during the Brit's semifinal win.
But there were no expletives Sunday despite Murray letting Djokovic off the hook in the third game, squandering three break points.
Djokovic already looked better than during his error-riddled semifinal win over Stan Wawrinka, blasting 11 winners before his first unforced error.
The pair exchanged breaks of serve twice as the top seed called for a trainer due to a blistered right thumb.
The wind appeared to be becoming a factor and Djokovic's incredibly high level — unsurprisingly — dropped.
In control of the tie-break for the most part was Murray, but he finished it with five unforced errors to drop a 72-minute set.
He sent a volley long on a 5-5, 20-shot point he was in control of for the most part.
Apparent injury drama followed early in the second set — Djokovic appeared to be nursing his left leg as Murray broke for 2-0.
But Djokovic's jelly legs and errors may have led to Murray's concentration lapse, the Serbian winning 13 straight points to break for a 3-2 lead.
Protesters, who unfurled a pro-refugee banner at the change of ends following the seventh game with two people entering the court, may have swung the momentum Murray's way.
Murray got back on serve in the eighth game, a powerful down-the-line forehand on break point proving too much even for Djokovic.
The Brit wasted a set point, then had to hold off break points in a thrilling conclusion to the set.
Murray surged into a 6-2 lead in the tie-break and, despite pushing a backhand into an open court long, clinched the set with a fine return at the approaching Djokovic's feet.
As per the second set, Djokovic looked hurt to start the third, and the pain grew as Murray broke in the opening game.
Whatever was restricting Djokovic disappeared once more, getting back on serve when Murray blasted a forehand into the net.
Murray was apparently growing aware of what was quickly being assumed as Djokovic foxing.
He wasted a break point in the seventh game and was made to rue that in the eighth — a double fault gifting Djokovic a 5-3 lead.
Murray tried to break his racquet but was unable to break serve, Djokovic seeing out the set in the ninth game.
When he hit three forehands into the net in the opening game of the fourth set, Murray was a break down and staring at yet another loss in the Melbourne final.
Djokovic would win nine straight games from 3-3 in the third set, completing his victory with an unreturnable forehand.