Djokovic battles back to win 17th Slam title
a runner-up to Nadal at the French Open, that left him 4-0 up in the third set, and one game later Djokovic again called for the doctor.
He had taken a pill after the first set of his victory over Federer in the semi-finals, which had been rather forgotten amid the focus on the Swiss’ physical struggles.
But Djokovic showed signs of life at the end of the third and a break point saved in the third game of the fourth set was a crucial moment.
Just how crucial became clear as he steadied himself, found his serve again and broke through to send the match to a decider.
Djokovic had one hand on the trophy when he broke to lead 2-1. Thiem fought valiantly to stay within touching distance but Djokovic was nerveless serving it out, pointing his fingers to the sky in triumph.
Djokovic had played one of the finest matches of his career to beat Nadal in the final here 12 months ago, utterly crushing his great rival, and he started in a similar vein.
Thiem had to hang on by his fingernails just to stay within one break, but hang on he did and he took advantage when Djokovic came down from the mountain top in the seventh game.
Djokovic received the trophy from 2005 champion Marat Safin, before saying: “I would like to start by saying congratulations to Dominic for an amazing tournament.
“It wasn’t meant to be tonight but you were very close to winning it. You have a lot of time in your career and I’m sure you will get one of these grand slam trophies – more than one.”
After receiving the runners-up plate, Thiem said: “I would like to start with a huge congrats to Novak, amazing achievement.
“Unreal what you are doing throughout all these years. You and two other guys brought men’s tennis to a completely new level. I’m really proud and happy that I can compete in these times. I fell a little bit short today but I hope soon I can get the revenge.”
Watching Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu win grand slam titles persuaded Sofia Kenin that she did not need to wait for her big breakthrough.
The 21-year-old American came from a set down to defeat Garbine Muguruza and lift the Australian Open trophy in her first slam final.
Kenin’s victory means five of the last six slam titles have been won by women aged 23 and under, all of whom seized their big moment with relish.
She said: “Definitely it was a motivation and my dad was telling me it was great for them and you can really achieve this, such a young age that they achieved it.
“My dad said just play and fight for every match that you’re playing and anything is possible. The deeper you go, anything can happen.”
Kenin’s dad Alex has been her coach since she first picked up a racket as a preschooler after the family moved from Russia to New York.
When asked at what age he first thought his daughter could win a grand slam title, hereplied,onlyhalf-jokingly: “Three and a half ”.
“People were looking at her and they did see something very special,” said Kenin Sr, who drove cars in New York and studied computer science to give his young family a better life.
“It’s a long journey and you have a belief and, in reality, you have very little chance that it’s going to happen. There’s so many things have to fall into place and you only can hope and try to put them in place. That happened and I’m very happy.”
After losing the first set to Muguruza, Kenin redoubled her efforts early in the second, urging herself on and often appearing more angry after winning big points than losing them. “The fight in me, I feel that’s something you can’t teach,” she said. “I feel you’ve got to have that, you’ve got to have the belief and the passion, have passion for the sport. It is such an amazing experience.”
The crucial moment in the match came in the fifth game of the third set, with Kenin seemingly in big trouble at 0-40.
The 21-year-old responded in astonishing fashion, pulling off four clean winners and an ace to hold serve. Muguruza did not win another game.
Even her father was surprised by the poise and nervelessness she showed on the biggest stage of her life. “She hates to lose,” he said. “It’s just not an option. She came up with all the goods, which is unbelievable, even for me. She fought so hard. This girl was much bigger, much more powerful, she’s playing great tennis, but Sofia refuses to lose.”
Today, Kenin will climb to seventh in the rankings, making her the leading American ahead of Serena Williams and the second youngest in the top ten behind Andreescu.
Seven-time slam champion Mats Wilander expects her to challenge for many more titles.
“I think that she is so intense walking and in between points,” said the Swede on Eurosport.
“But if you look at the point construction, they’re not panicky, they’re not crazy. The way she hits the ball, she’s very smooth, very fluid, very compact. The personality that she shows doesn’t fit with the player. It’s very unusual.
“She’s really clever. She can only improve physically, she cangetalittlestronger,alittle quicker. She can improve the serve for sure. So, I say, watch out. This lady is not going to beat herself in very many matches.”