Serbia's Djokovic dominates Murray to take second Australian Open title

REUTERS - Third seed Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-4 6-2 6-3 to win his second Australian Open on Sunday, prolonging Britain’s 75-year wait for a male grand slam singles champion.

Eye-balling Murray with intent across the net, Serbia’s Davis Cup hero completely dominated the Scot who has now lost all three of his grand slam finals without winning a set.

Djokovic, who lifted his only previous major title in Melbourne three years ago, got off to a scorching start in energy-sapping heat supposed to favour fifth seed Murray.

Relentless pressure forced a forehand error from Murray, giving Djokovic the first set against last year’s Australian Open runner-up who played with a tired, hang-dog look throughout a surprisingly one-sided match.

Murray, rattled by noise and berating himself angrily, began to unravel in the second set, screaming at his own coaching team to “be quiet”.

A fired-up Djokovic took a strangehold on the final by ripping another big forehand down the line, a dejected Murray slumping in his chair muttering to himself in despair.

Djokovic went for the jugular, breaking for 3-1 in the third set with a breath-taking backhand down the line, the Serbian pumping his fists and roaring with delight.

Murray immediately broke back but Djokovic, ice in his veins, blasted a forehand cross court to go 5-3 up and finished the job with another forehand the Scot could only dump into the net after two hours 39 minutes.

Djokovic celebrated by throwing his racket, shirt and shoes into the crowd as a packed Rod Laver Arena went wild.

Murray was bidding to become Britain’s first male grand slam winner since Fred Perry in 1936.

He lost the 2008 U.S. Open final and last year’s Melbourne final in straight sets, both times to Roger Federer.