Djokovic outlasts Thiem to win Australian Open

NOVAK DJOKOVIC dug deep to beat Dominic Thiem in a thrilling five-set final and win his eighth Australian Open crown.

The No. 2 seed looked to be in trouble when he lost the second set and exchanged angry words with the umpire.

Thiem then ran away with the third set in search of his first grand slam title but Djokovic was not to be denied.

He found extra reserves of mental strength to produce some incredible tennis and win the next two sets and settle a thrilling final.

Djokovic withstood a fightback from Thiem to win the opening set of yesterday’s men’s final.

The defending champion picked up where he had left off in last year’s demolition of Rafael Nadal, racing into a 3-0 lead.

But Thiem dug in to keep it to one break and took advantage of a dip in Djokovic’s sky-high level to break back to 3-4.

However, Djokovic continued to pile the pressure during Thiem’s service games and a double fault from the Austrian gave the second seed the set 6-4.

Djokovic has a formidable record in Australia when winning the opening set but Thiem made the better start to the second, this time his opponent double-faulting on break point in the third game.

Thiem was relentless in his commitment to going for broke on big points, and it cost him in the eighth game as a wild backhand handed the break back.

But Djokovic still was not mentally settled and two time violations on successive points in the next game cost him a first serve, and Thiem claimed the advantage back.

Djokovic tapped umpire Damien Dumusois sarcastically on the foot as he returned to his seat, and Thiem served out the set 6-4.

Djokovic was rattled, and his mood did not improve at the start of the third set as Thiem immediately broke serve again.

The Serb had taken a pill after the first set of his semifinal against Roger Federer, and at 1-4 he again consulted the doctor, sitting with head bowed and shoulders slumped.

Djokovic’s level lifted again at the end of the set but it was far too late to save it as Thiem took it 6-2 to move within one set of a first slam title.

The early stages of the fourth set were crucial for Djokovic, and a saved break point in the third game was a big moment.

The second seed began serving better again, looked more stable and made the breakthrough in the eighth game before serving it out 6-3.

Djokovic drew first blood in the deciding set when three errors on Thiem’s forehand gifted the Serb a break in the third game.

Thiem desperately searched for the break back but Djokovic withstood the barrage to serve out for a memorable 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. – Agencies