The world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has offered a seventh record coronation at the Australian Open, her fifteenth Grand Slam total, by overriding Rafael Nadal (No.2) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in just 2 pm Sunday in Melbourne.
After Wimbledon and the US Open last season, Djokovic (31) wins his third Grand Slam title in a row. Nadal's counter, however, remains blocked at seventeen major trophies, at three lengths of the record held by Roger Federer. Never before has the Spaniard lost in three sets in the Grand Slam final.
With a fifteenth crown, Djokovic overtook the American Pete Sampras and moved alone to the third rank of the most successful Grand Slam players.
The Serb also becomes the first to repeat three times a series of at least three consecutive triumphs in major tournaments (already 3 in a row between 2011 and 2012, 4 in a row between 2015 and 2016).
The path traveled by Djokovic is colossal. Twelve months ago, he was about to undergo right elbow surgery in the wake of his elimination in the round of 16 final of the Australian Open (by Chung), and had the mood at half-mast, between crisis of confidence and of motivation.
But since he regained his physical fullness at the start of last summer, shortly after returning to coach all his success, the Slovak Marian Vajda, he has been irresistible on special occasions, in London, New York, then Melbourne.
On the Rod Laver Arena Sunday, even Nadal could only survive. Broken entry, the 32-year-old Spaniard scored just one point after three games. He never managed to set up a fight with Djokovic. Smothered by the unfailing regularity of his opponent - only nine direct faults - and K.O. facing the Serbian wall, guilty of more numerous mistakes than usual.
His only breakthrough ball of the match did not arrive until after 1:45 of play.
The Mallorquin had nevertheless impressed throughout the Australian fortnight, carried by a remodeled service. He had even, for the first time in Melbourne, rallied to the final without losing a set.
But he continues to stumble on Djokovic on hard ground: he has now lost his last eight games against the Serb on this surface. Its latest success dates back more than five years to the 2013 US Open.
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