Novak Djokovic has won his 12th grand slam and his first in Paris, recording a four-sets victory over Andy Murray in the men’s singles final of the 2016 French Open.
REPORT: DJOKOVIC COMPLETES CAREER GRAND SLAM
Final score
Novak Djokovic 3 6 6 6
Andy Murray 6 1 2 4
For the second time in a grand slam final this year it will be the top two seeds, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, doing battle to determine the winner of the French Open. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11pm (AEST).
Earlier in the year, at the final of the Australian Open it was Djokovic – again as the first seed – taking a straight sets victory over Murray.
The grand slam on clay though is a different kettle of fish for Djokovic. It is the only one he has never won, and while Murray has traditionally not loved clay he has improved out of sight over the last few years and fought incredibly hard to stay in this tournmaent.
Of course, Murray has never made the final at Roland Garros, being bundled out in the semi-finals three times.
It was a tough start to the tournament for Murray with his first two matches forced to five sets. He was really struggling for momentum and rhythm and has again been taken to four sets in both the quarter-final and semi-final.
Those matches, against Richard Gasquet and Stan Wawrinka saw him struggle to contain backhands that are among the best in the ATP tour, so watch for Djokovic to try and employ that strategy.
Djokovic has had a slightly easier run and only lost one set throughout the tournament to Roberto Bautista Agut in the fourth round. He has advanced through the quarters and semis against Tomas Berdych and Dominic Thiem in straight sets, limiting his court time which was massively important given he played three matches in three days.
Historically, the pair have met a massive 34 times. Djokovic controls it 23-11 and has won four of the five times on clay – although Murray won the last one of those in straight sets just a few weeks ago in Rome.
Their first meeting at Roland Garros came last year in the semi-finals, with Murray somehow forcing a fifth set before Djokovic took that 6-1.
The match will be a typical one between these two – a hard slog with long rallies and both players waiting for the other to crack with mistakes. It will go back and forth, with every point becoming important for momentum into the next. Recovering from a break will be tough as well, so expect any break point to be fought tooth and nail.
The serve also becomes important. If the first serve is missed, it almost hands the advantage to the receiver on a silver plate in this match-up.
Prediction
Djokovic has been the runner up three times, and that should finally come to an end here but Murray, as he has done all tournament, will go all the way.
Djokovic in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the French Open final from 11pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Click here for the full match report Final Score: Novak Djokovic 3 6 6 6 Andy Murray 6 1 2 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS: Aces: Djokovic (4), Murray (5) Double faults: Djokovic (3), Murray (3) First serves in: Djokovic (76/110), Murray (55/109) Points won on first serve: Djokovic (49/76), Murray (34/55) Points won on second serve: Djokovic (20/34), Murray (22/34) Break points won: Djokovic (7/14), Murray (3/10) Winners: Djokovic (41), Murray (23) Unforced errors: Djokovic (37), Murray (39) Total points won: Djokovic (122), Murray (97) Novak Djokovic 3 6 6 6 Andy Murray 6 1 2 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep, absolutely. All 4 in a calendar year would be huge.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report and stats to come in a few minutes. Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 French Open as Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in four sets in the final. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. It's only three weeks from Wimbledon getting underway, with the The Roar gearing up to do it all again - scores, blogs - we will have you covered! Until next time, Bye for now
Mattww
Guest
Agree with commentators, long way to go, but if he wins the next 2 this year, I put him as goat.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well Novak Djokovic moves ahead of Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on the all time grand slam winners list, sitting equal with Roy Emerson on 12.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic is incredibly emotional out there after that, drawing a heart on the court with his racquet and lying right in the middle of it. Incredibly well played by Djokovic though, bouncing back from that first set. Murray thought hard to the death, but the Serb was a class above today, winning his fourth grand slam in a row. Novak Djokovic 3 6 6 6 Andy Murray 6 1 2 4
Mattww
Guest
The Nole Slam has it, woot woot!
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP NOVAK DJOKOVIC There it is! Djokovic wins it in 3 hours and 3 minutes with a long rally. Serve down the middle, a long rally of backhands with Murray never seemingly on the front foot before putting a shot into the net. Novak Djokovic 3 6 6 6 Andy Murray 6 1 2 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Djokovic and then a powerful shot down the line. Djokovic comes forward with a cracking forehand into the corner. Championship point again Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - AD Murray 6 1 2 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good serve down the middle here but Murray with some great defence i the corner before Djokovic puts one wide backpedalling. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - deuce (1) Murray 6 1 2 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic with a double fault! Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 40 Murray 6 1 2 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great serve down the middle and Djokovic comes forward with a few overhead smash shots. Murray lobs, trying to get his way out of trouble but puts it long. CHAMPIONSHIP POINT Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 40 Murray 6 1 2 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Djokovic and this time Murray gets on top, before the rally goes into a holding patter. Murray with the drop shot and then Djokovic somehow gets there, putting it past Murray! Wow. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 30 Murray 6 1 2 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic goes for the kick serve this time and again Murray has to defend from the baseline and Murray tries to shorten, but hits the net. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 15 Murray 6 1 2 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic with a very strong first serve and a slow return from Murray. Djokovic uses the corners and has Murray a long way behind the baseline, before a cracking shot to the baseline and Djokovic goes long on the backhand. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 0 Murray 6 1 2 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic has another chance to serve for the French Open then.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Murray with a fault down the middle before Djokovic returns the second with a backhand to the corner, then one down the line. Murray again with some good defence and Djokovic makes the mistake. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 Murray 6 1 2 4
Mattww
Guest
True, never count your chickens
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great wide serve, an even better return at the feet and Murray puts a forehand into the net. Djokovic 3 6 6 5 - 30 Murray 6 1 2 3 - 40