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australian open 2015

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Novak Djokovic has beaten Andy Murray to win his fifth Australian Open title in Melbourne.

World’s No 1 came through 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0 in three hours and 39 minutes.

It was a third win over British number one Andy Murray in a Melbourne final and brought him an eighth Grand Slam title.

Andy Murray, 27, has now won two of the eight Grand Slam finals he has played in, having lost all four in Australia.

“I would like to congratulate Novak – it is a fantastic record and thoroughly deserved,” said Andy Murray.

“It is probably my most consistent Grand Slam throughout my career but I just haven’t been able to win.” Novak Djokovic Australian Open final 2015

Andy Murray, who underwent back surgery towards the end of 2013 and was playing in his first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon earlier that year, added: “I’m closer than I was a few months ago.

“I’ll try to come back next year and have a slightly different outcome in the final.”

Andy Murray, who will return to fourth in the world rankings on February 2, had chances in each of the first three sets of the final but ultimately lost his way and his temper as Novak Djokovic won 12 of the last 13 games.

Novak Djokovic, a week younger than his opponent, did look vulnerable at times, hurting his hand in a fall and appearing to struggle with an ankle problem early in the second set.

The Serb saw off one final moment of danger at break point in game seven, gesturing to coach Boris Becker to become more animated, but he required no assistance.

Andy Murray was a rapidly fading force, double faulting to drop serve at 5-3, and winning just 11 points in a fourth set that disappeared in under half an hour.

Novak Djokovic celebrated by throwing his racquet into the crowd, while a furious Andy Murray smashed his in despair.

“I’m honored to be standing here as a champion for a fifth time,” said Novak Djokovic after collecting the trophy from Australia’s Roy Emerson, the only man to win six titles.

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World number one Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova to win her sixth Australian Open and 19th Grand Slam title.

Serena Williams, 33, served to win a pulsating final 6-3 7-6 (7-5) after Maria Sharapova fought back in the second set.

The American moves past Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert with a 19th major singles title.

Serena Williams has now beaten Maria Sharapova, the world number two, 16 times in a row dating back to 2004.

“I have to congratulate Maria, she played a wonderful match and she really pushed me,” said Serena Williams.

“She played so well and gave me a great final not only for the fans, but for women’s tennis. I’m really honored to play her in the final.”

Despite feeling so unwell during a rain delay in the first set that she left the court to vomit, Serena Williams hit 18 aces and 38 winners as she won in one hour and 51 minutes.Serena Williams Australian Open 2015

Seemingly unsure for a moment that an ace had sealed victory, she then shook hands with Maria Sharapova and bounded over to the corner of Rod Laver Arena towards her player box.

It was a brilliant performance in a final that exceeded many expectations, bearing in mind the players’ head-to-head record.

Maria Sharapova made a nervous start, double-faulting to drop serve in game one, while Serena Williams appeared keener than ever to shorten the points, possibly because of her ailment.

The American crushed the Russian’s second serve and was not disrupted by a 12-minute rain break that led to the roof being closed.

Still feeling the effects of a heavy cold that has dogged her over the last week, Serena Williams headed off court – in contrast to Maria Sharapova – but the top seed returned at the potentially dangerous score of 3-2, 30-30, to calmly produce an ace and a forehand winner.

Breaks of serve were swapped before Serena Williams took the set in 47 minutes with a backhand and a scream.

Maria Sharapova was looking at another one-sided defeat when facing break points early in the second, but showed why she is a five-time Grand Slam champion.

She served her way out of trouble and managed to cling on in a set in which Serena Williams hit 15 aces and won almost 90% of first-serve points.

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