Australian Open 2011 Tennis: Djokovic Defeats Murray in Men’s Singles Final

Serbian tennis ace, Novak Djokovic (3), today became the 2011 Australian Open Men’s Singles Champion after a resounding victory over Britain’s Andy Murray (5) at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourn.

Djokovic lifted the trophy after producing some scintillating tennis en route to a 6-4 6-2 6-3 victory, which saw him regain the Grand Slam title he won in 2008.

Murray, who also reached the final in 2010, has yet to win a set in any Grand Slam final, despite having now appeared in three.

Today’s match began with an even opening nine games, with half-chances for breaks coming to either player before an epic 38 stroke rally which came with Murray serving to stay in the first set at 4-5, which Djokovic defended manfully before Murray eventually missed, before another error on the forehand side gave up the opening set.

As with all true champions, Djokovic had siezed his moment when it arrived, and dug deep to stay in that long rally – the first set was balanced on a knife edge, and only teetered in Djokovic’s favour because of his powers of resistance. A lesser player would have dropped the point in that 38 shot rally at least two or three times.

Murray’s first serve – a big weapon when firing correctly – was not working often enough, at around 50%, to worry Djokovic, and the Serb soon had a break point in the second set, which was saved, but Murray was broken soon after when going for a drop shot that was never on. Djokovic pounced and put away the back-hand winner.

Murray soon found himself 5-0 down and facing a set point, which he saved, before rallying back with a break of his own, but Djokovic soon wrapped up set two, and, it seemed, Murray’s chances, and took the second set 6-2.

An hour later, it was all over, and the crowd were preparing to receive the newly crowned 2011 Australian Open Men’s Singles Champion, Novak Djokovic, after he worked back from going an early break behind in the third set to overcome Murray’s increasingly erratic service game and comfortably lift the concluding set 6-3.

This match was probably won in the opening set, as Djokovic edged his advantage home in a vital couple of points, then maintained severe pressure throughout with superior concentration, a better first serve than his opponent and incredibly resilient defence.

Murray’s counter-punching technique met its match today primarily because of Djokovic’s brick wall at the other side of the net, and an under-par service game. Djokovic is a deserved Champ, but Murray, it is felt, will be back: this final could so easily have crept his way in the opening set; he simply met his match today.

Match Summary