Australian Open: Novak Djokovic outclasses Rafael Nadal and wins seventh Melbourne title
The Serb won the surprisingly one-sided final with 6: 3, 6: 2, 6: 3 and celebrated his 28th success in the 53rd comparison with the Spanish world rankings.
Djokovic, who made only 9 Unforced Errors (34 winners) in the game, is the sole record winner of the "Happy Slam" after his seventh stroke in the Rod Laver Arena - ahead of Roger Federer and Roy Emerson (six titles each). Here you can read the live ticker .
by Ulrike Weinrich from Melbourne
last edit: Jan 27, 2019, 12:51 pm
In front of 15,000 spectators, the industry leader converted his second match ball after only 2:04 hours and has received prize money of around 2.59 million euros for his 15th major coup since 2008. For Nadal, who had not given a set until the final, half remained. The 32-year-old initially missed the chance to be the first player in the Open Era to have won all four Grand Slam events at least twice.
"I had the elbow surgery a year ago, and it's really wonderful to be standing here and holding three of the last four Grand Slam titles," said Djokovic at the awards ceremony, while Nadal said, "Novak, you have one shown insane levels. That was not my day. I will continue to work hard and fight to have a better chance than tonight. "
The duel of the giants, a perennial favorite in the tennis universe, began surprisingly one-sided. Although Nadal had shown a real gala in the semi-final against NextGen star Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) three days earlier, "Rafa" was completely beside himself for a long time on Sunday.
Already in the first game he hardly got any pressure behind the ball and even showed the rare forehand slice. The first six points went to Djokovic, whose Serbian fans, especially in front of the arena in Garden Square, created a good mood.
The supporters of the 31-year-old also had a good laugh, because "Nole" immediately made the early break when Nadal played a "light" forehand, comparable to a 911 without a goalkeeper, without hesitation. It was indicative of the uncertainty of the eleven-time French Open record champion, who kept looking for help in his box, in which coach Carlos Moya once desperately struck the limit with his fist.
Nadal was completely beside himself - Djokovic stable
After nine minutes, "Nole" was 3-0 up front - Nadal had made one point (!) At that point. The audience, including Vogue boss Anna Wintour, could hardly believe their eyes. In the seventh game, the Mallorcan even completely missed the felt ball.
However, he was also unlucky that Djokovic looked extremely stable and gave only one point on his own serve throughout the opening round. After a backhand error from Nadal, the world ranking first set ball.
And with a forehand in the net, the left-hander made the set loss perfect after 36 minutes. It was his eleventh Unforced Error - the "Djoker" had only three uncommon errors at the time. These are worlds at this level.
Subsequently, the top seeded Monegasse dominated the game, which was a new edition of the 2012 Australian Open final. At that time, the two gladiators fought a record battle over 5:53 hours. It is the longest major endgame in history to date.
"Rafa" would have needed Hulk's powers that evening
This time, however, Nadal lacked weapons, although he took the lead for the first time in the 1-0 in the second set, but he did not appear stable. Djokovic relentlessly exploited this and took his rival's serve for the second time in the fifth game. In the stands, Hollywood actor Eric Bana, who is known as a Hulk actor, was also amazed by the unexpected and rapid course.
Nadal would have needed the extraordinary powers of the green fantasy figure on this Australian summer evening, which he ultimately used to make the game at least a little more balanced.
After another loss of service to the "Taurus von Manacor", Djokovic demonstrated his superiority when he also won the second set with three aces in a row (!).
The audience has long cheered every successful action by audience favorite Nadal. After he went 1-0 up in round three, the wave even sloshed through the arena. Of course, Australia's icon Rod Laver (80) also participated in the VIP box.
It was no use, the protagonists of the "dream final" did not meet eye to eye in Melbourne Park on the Yarra River. Djokovic did not burn anything after a further break to 2-1, remained almost error-free, while Nadal was far from being able to build on the strong performances of the two previous weeks and had to wait for his second Melbourne coup after 2009 - it would be 18. Major title.
"Nole" wins third Grand Slam trophy in a row - number 15 overall
Significantly, Nadal put his only breakball of the entire match back into the net in the 2: 3.
Djokovic, reigning Wimbledon and US Open winner, won his third consecutive Grand Slam trophy. After his personal crisis and elbow injury, the Serb seems to be stronger than ever. The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup is the latest confirmation of this.