Djokovic Outlasts Nadal in Longest Australian Open Finals Match

Djokovic Outlasts Nadal in Longest Australian Open Finals Match

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain during Australian Open final.

After hugging Nadal, Novak Djokovic ripped his shirt off and let out a primal scream, flexing his torso the way a prize fighter would after a desperate, last-round knockout.

This was the final act in Djokovic's 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final which ended at 1:37 a.m. Monday morning in Melbourne.

Djokovic had a break in the fifth set and won his fifth Grand Slam tournament and third in a row. It was the longest Grand Slam singles final in the history of pro tennis, topping his victory by his playing against Nadal, the player who built a career on his tenacity.

Djokovic dubbed it the most special of his five Grand Slam wins and will go for the "Nole Slam" at Roland Garros in May.

It was gruelling because Nadal refused to yield. He couldn’t accept becoming the first man to lose three consecutive Grand Slam finals.

Nadal stayed in the contest with all his prowess, chasing balls and making Djokovic work extra time for the victory.   But in the end, the same man was holding the trophy.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Monday January 30 2012, 4:52 AM EST. Ref: Yahoo. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0