Novak Djokovic’s mental toughness was the key to his 7-6 6-7 6-3 6-0 win over Andy Murray last night.
And it was the lack of mental toughness that was the reason why Murray lost his fourth Australian Open final.
The decider was finely balanced at a set apiece, but either player could well have led two sets to love.
Both won 42 points in the first set, while Murray won 43-42 in the second – there was not a struck match between them.
But when push turned to shove, Djokovic played his cards to perfection.
Down two games to love and 15-love in the third set, Djokovic won 12 of the next 13 games. That was the turning point.
For someone who was right in the mix after two sets, the fourth set bagel was an embarrassment for Murray.
Djokovic broke Murray’s serve to 30 in the opening game, to 15 in the third, and again to 15 in the fifth.
The Serb won 13 of his 20 serves, Murray only 4 of 16, and the final set was all over in 28 minutes.
Roy Emerson, a record six-time Australian champion in the 1960s, presented Djokovic with his fifth Sir Norman Brookes Trophy, watched in the VIP section by Ken Rosewall, winner of four Australian titles, with 19 years between the first and last, and Rod Laver three.
But Novak Djokovic was the centre of attention. His dominance of world tennis is crystal clear.
He’s number one by the length of the straight with 11,405 points.
Roger Federer is ranked two with 9,875 points, Rafael Nadal a distant third with 6.585, Stan Wawrinka 5,370, Kei Nishikori 5,025, with Murray 4,675.
Djokovic leads Murray 16-8 head-to-head, having won all five meetings in the last year.
And he’s beaten his last 10 opponents ranked in the world’s top 10 – Murray, Wawrinka, Nishikori, and Raonic twice each, and once each for Tomas Berdych, and Marin Cilic.
Next up is the French.
It’s no secret Djokovic has a burning desire to break his drought at Roland Garros, where Nadal is the undisputed king of clay.
In 10 starts, Nadal has won nine French Opens, his only loss to Robin Soderling in the 2009 fourth round was one of the biggest shocks in Slam history.
Nadal’s Roland Garros record is 66 wins and 1 loss – Djokovic’s 10 starts have netted 42-10.
Djokovic has reached two quarters, four semis, and two finals – not shabby by any means, but the Spaniard is forever lurking.
But for the moment, Novak Djokovic can bask in his fifth Australian Open title and 10th Slam.
There are plenty more Slams in store for Novak.
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