Novak Djokovic rode Cloud Nine at Melbourne Park after winning another title.
The 33-year-old Serb has moved within two Grand Slam triumphs of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to where he simply cannot lose.
This time he took on Daniil Medvedev’s potentially dangerous challenge with a laser-focused performance that resulted in a 7-5 6-2 6-2 that took just an hour and 53 minutes.
A beaming Novak Djokovic grabs the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after his ninth Australian Open triumph
Medvedev smiles as Djokovic pays tribute to his efforts after Sunday’s final – the pair first met when the Russian was ranked world No.500
It was Djokovic’s ninth Australian Open success and his 18th Grand Slam, putting him two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The winning moment for Djokovic as he secured a dominating victory over Medvedev in just one hour and 53 minutes
The Serbian celebrates with a few punches, then descends onto the court as he celebrates his 18th Grand Slam success
Djokovic consoles Medvedev at net after earning one of his most comprehensive final wins in a glittering career
The familiar sight of Djokovic celebrating a point with a clenched fist and a glare in the crowd in Sunday’s final
Medvedev’s racquet bit the dust at the end of the second set as he threw it to the ground in frustration after losing another point
The Russian world number 4 really had no solution to fight against the quality and intensity of Djokovic’s game in a one-sided final.
It saw him snap the Russian’s 20-game winning streak by 6′ 6′ to claim a ninth title, 13 years after winning his first.
As the great champions move forward into their thirties, the younger generation is still struggling for a breakthrough. Medvedev was defeated and overtaken, his fate finally sealed by an athletic header from the Serb.
Djokovic got off to a dominant start in a surprisingly quick opening set, leading 3-0 using an aggressive strategy in which he seemed determined to avoid getting drawn into long rallies.
Medvedev, thinking on his feet, adapted to the tactic to strike back quickly, but there were still signs that the champion’s greater experience under pressure would tell.
A quick run of games saw Medvedev rush to be broken at 5-6 when he fired a forehand into the net after saving two set points.
Djokovic fans in the crowd celebrate him winning the first set 7-5 in what was the perfect start to his last major final
Medvedev stretches to make a comeback in the second set as Djokovic gave him a stern review of his game
Djokovic stretches to play a graceful backhand in the opening set at the familiar Rod Laver Arena
The Russian’s groundstrokes don’t look great, but they’re usually very effective, and he’s raised hopes of a comeback when breaking at the start of the second.
Still, we had to have a reminder of what still separates Djokovic from the chasing pack. Medvedev was immediately brought on as the Serbian continued to reduce his serve, looking rock solid in the face of the uneven quality of his opponent’s returns.
It infected the rest of the Russian’s game, and before you knew it the champion was leading 5-2 with Medvedev smashing his racket in frustration.
The Russian may have a volcanic temper and soon he was constantly looking and gesturing towards his box – a warming sight from the other end of the pitch.
Covid-19 restrictions have limited crowds to around 50% of usual capacity – with around 7,500 people allowed inside
Djokovic received the backing of Serbian vocal support as he appeared in the final of his latest Grand Slam success
Protesters interrupted the match during the second set and had to be escorted out of the arena by security guards
Djokovic’s returns, the best the sport has ever seen, sealed the second set and Medvedev was crumbling, his recent win at the ATP Finals in London counting for nothing.
Suffocated by the relentless precision coming his way, the size of the occasion seemed to prevent the world number four from trying something different. He’s been known to come back to serve and volley, but there were few signs of that.
A long attritional chess game had been promised but the day Medvedev was not strong enough. With Djokovic’s stomach muscle issues of the past fortnight seemingly a distant memory, it was he who broke new ground as he accelerated towards the finish line.
The youngster briefly shot at 2-4 in the third but when he tried to get the crowd moving, Djokovic responded by reeling off three straight runs to stifle any chance of a raise.
Those in attendance were treated to a spectacular light show and live music before the start of Sunday’s showpiece final
Although the arena was only half full, there was an electric atmosphere in Melbourne for the final of the first Slam of the year
There was an awkward moment in the post-match speeches when Tennis Australia chairman Jayne Hrdlicka booed at the mention of upcoming vaccinations and the Victorian government, which had helped so much to keep the tournament going.
In a gracious acceptance, Djokovic told Medvedev: “It’s a matter of time before you win a Grand Slam, but if you don’t mind waiting a few more years.” It was a successful tournament. The organizers made a big effort, it was very difficult on many levels.
Medvedev regretted not making it more of a competition: “I really wanted the match to be longer and more entertaining,” he said. “It wasn’t the best day today for me, but the last three months have been great.”
