Novak Djokovic has retained the Australian Open men’s singles title, beating Britain’s Andy Murray 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-2 in the final in Melbourne.
The first two, serve-dominated sets were decided on tie-breaks before Djokovic claimed the first break of the match late in the third.
It proved a pivotal moment with US Open champion Murray, who was struggling with blisters on his right foot and a hamstring problem, unable to mount a fightback as Djokovic cruised through the fourth to complete a 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-2 success.
His triumph handed the Serbian a place in the history books as the first man in the Open era to win three successive Melbourne crowns.