By Greg Pearson
Tired, exhausted but most importantly triumphant, Novak Djokovic retained his Australian Open crown in what some are calling the greatest grand slam final ever.
If not the greatest it was definitely the longest, with defending champion Djokovic taking five hours and 53 minutes to beat Rafael Nadal in a five set thriller.
Djokovic's start was less than memorable, Rafael Nadal breaking in the fifth game.
The opening set was one of missed opportunities for the Serb, converting just one of five break points, as Nadal took it seven-five.
The defending champion stepped up in the second, this time taking his chances to even the contest – and that favouritism only improved in the third.
Djokovic didn't offer Nadal a single break opportunity as he powered through the set six-two.
Down but not out, Nadal's game returned. The first rain of the tournament brought the match to a temporary halt, but it couldn't stop the Spaniard evening up the match in a fourth set tiebreaker.
More than five hours in and a break down, Djokovic looked out on his feet but somehow fought back.
The world number one made the decisive break to serve for the championship, and after fending off Nadal one last time, his prayers were finally answered.
The Serb's fifth major title has helped him become just the fifth player in the open era to win three consecutive grand slam titles.
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