Novak Djokovic Dominates Rafael Nadal To Claim 7th Australian Open Title

7 years ago - Sportingbase

Djokovic looked on another level from the opening game on Sunday night as he became the first man to win seven Australian Open titles.

The world No 1 sealed a third successive Grand Slam success in devastating fashion as he beat Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-3 to overtake Federer and Roy Emerson and hold the outright men’s record for titles at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic made only nine unforced errors against a player he labelled as his “greatest rival”, including just one in the second set, and on five occasions he broke the remodelled Nadal serve.

ranks right at the top,” Djokovic said of his display in the final.

His own service game was on song, having sent down eight aces while conceding no double faults, and he only faced one break of serve for the entire contest, which lasted two hours and four minutes in Rod Laver Arena.

“It ranks right at the top,” Djokovic said of his display in the final.

“Under the circumstances, playing against Nadal, such an important match, it’s amazing.

“Obviously [playing] back-to-back semi-finals and finals, I think I made 15 unforced errors in total in two matches. It’s quite pleasantly surprising to myself, even though I always believe I can play this way and visualise myself playing this way.

“At this level, as I said, under the circumstances, it was truly a perfect match.”

Djokovic, who has now won three majors in succession on three spate occasions in his career, moved within five of Federer’s tally of 20 titles and has a great chance of bettering the GOAT.

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“I am aware that making history of the sport that I truly love is something special,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic.

“Of course, it motivates me. How many seasons are to come? I don’t know. I’m not trying to think too much in advance.

“I do want to definitely focus myself on continuing to improve my game and maintaining the overall well-being that I have — mental, physical and emotional — so I would be able to compete at such a high level for the years to come, and have a shot at eventually getting closer to Roger’s record. It’s still far.”