MELBOURNE: World number one Novak Djokovic won a fifth Australian Open title and his eighth Grand Slam Sunday, grinding down Andy Murray in four gruelling sets to heap more misery on the luckless Scot.
The Serb won 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-0 in 3hr 39min to stretch his formidable record on the Melbourne hardcourts to winning five from five finals in eight years.
Only Australian Roy Emerson, who presented him with the trophy, has won more Australian Opens with six in the 1960s.
"I am so privileged and honoured and grateful to be standing here as a champion for the fifth time and to be in the elite group of players with Sir Roy Emerson and Rod Laver and all the legends of our sport," he said.
"It's an honour playing in front of you, thank you very much."
Djokovic has now beaten Murray in three of his four Australian final losses following earlier wins in 2011 and 2013, although the Scot mastered him in his two major triumphs at the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon.
The victory means Djokovic stays at world number one on the next ATP rankings when they are released on Monday, with Murray moving to four from his current sixth.
"I had opportunities in the first three sets. Then the fourth set, he was just ripping everything," said Murray, dejection etched on his face.
"The returns he was hitting on the baseline. Once he got up a break, he just loosened up and was just going for his shots. I couldn't recover."
Murray put Djokovic under immediate pressure with three break points in the third game of the opening set, played in cool and windy conditions on Rod Laver Arena.
But the Serb fought back to hold after an almighty 27-stroke rally and an ace.
Djokovic struck in the next game, breaking Murray to take an early 3-1 lead.
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