Australian Open 2016: Djokovic beats Murray in final

For the past year, Novak Djokovic has stood alone in the world of tennis, a king among all time greats.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win against Andy Murray of the United Kingdom during the Mens Final on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

For the past year, Novak Djokovic has stood alone in the world of tennis, a king among all-time greats.

But after successfully defending his Australian Open title last night against Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 (3), the world champion stands together, at least for the moment, with local legend Roy Emerson.

With another gold standard performance, Djokovic drew level with Emerson as a six-time Australian Open champion. No other man has won more. An 11th grand slam title has seen him draw level with Rod Laver, who was watching courtside, and Bjorn Borg.

It seems inevitable Djokovic will soon surpass that trio given the sustained brilliance he has held for the past 13 months.

He paid tribute to Emerson, who missed the tournament after the death of his son Anthony during the Open.

“I am extremely honoured to be mentioned alongside the legends of our sport, like Rod Laver, who is present tonight (and) Mr Roy Emerson, who is not here tonight,” Djokovic said.

“It is a great privilege to equal and match the record of six Australian Opens. I want to send him all my best.”

If anything, the world No 1 is playing better now than he did in an astonishing 2015 when he compiled one of the greatest seasons ever.

He has proven himself above a step ahead of a generation of greats recently, inflicting on them the most grievous of body blows from the very start.

In the three opening sets he has played this year against Rafael Nadal in Doha and Federer and Murray here, he has lost just one game apiece. Little wonder Nadal labelled his tennis as close to perfect has he has seen.

History is now his pursuit. Djokovic has never conquered Paris, falling in three finals of the French Open, most recently to Stan Wawrinka last year.

It remains an obstacle to overcome, but if he can sustain this form, it is surmountable. Conquer Roland Garros and the conversation as to whether Djokovic will become the first man since Laver, who was watching courtside, to win the grand slam can begin.

The other pursuit well and truly on, regardless of how he fares in the city of love, is his chase of the all-time record of 17 singles titles held by Federer.

For all the plaudits afforded to Djokovic, spare a thought for his rival, who now owns a slice of unwanted history despite staging an almighty fight last night.

Murray, who fought bravely but hindered his cause in the third set tiebreaker with two double faults, is the first man in the Open era to play in five grand slam finals at the same tournament without success. That he made the final is a story in itself given the difficulties he has faced this Open.

He has played this tournament under the pressure of being an expectant father, and was prepared to abandon the tournament at the drop of the hat to fly home to be with his wife Kim, who is due to give birth to their first child early this month.

That is some consolation.

A sudden illness that saw his father-in-law Nigel Sears collapse on centre court last Saturday was hardly ideal.

He was forced to come from two sets to one down for the first time in Melbourne in his match against Milos Raonic on Friday night just to get to the final.

Always a tremendous supporter of British tennis, Murray sat courtside past 1am on the morning of the final to cheer on his brother Jamie as he claimed a maiden grand slam doubles success.

Then he faced Djokovic. And he played a heck of a match after that brutal first set.

It seems cruel that he bears that black mark on his record.

“I feel like I have been here before,” he said wryly to the crowd when he was presented with the runner’s up plate. “I just want to congratulate Novak.

“Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat and also for what he has done for the past year … is incredible history.

“It has been a tough few weeks for me away from the court and I thank all of you (his team) for your support with that.

“To my wife Kim, who is going to be watching back home right now. You have been a legend for the past two weeks and thank you so much for your support.

“I’ll be on the next flight home.”