Djokovic grinds Murray down to win Australian Open

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the third set against Andy Murray of Britain during their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic reasserted his rule over the hard-courts of Melbourne Park on Sunday, grinding down Andy Murray 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 to win his fifth Australian Open title.

The pair waged a fierce baseline duel for the opening two sets, but Djokovic won 12 of the last 13 games to close out an emphatic win and become the first man in the professional era to secure five titles at Melbourne Park.

Top seed Djokovic sealed the victory on the second match-point, rushing to the net with a searing approach shot that Murray could only dump into the net.

The steely-eyed Serb roared in triumph and approached his player's box to share the win with his team before tearing off his shirt and throwing it into the crowd.

The loss was Murray's fourth in a final at Melbourne Park and third to Djokovic after the 2011 and 2013 finals.

In a slow-burning contest, the pair set the tone from the first point with a fierce rally featuring scrambling, net-rushes and a Murray lob before the Scot forced an error from the Serb.

Murray failed to capitalise on three early break points and Djokovic made him pay, leaping to a 4-1 lead.

But in the first of many momentum shifts, the Scot clawed back to 4-3 when Djokovic netted an ambitious backhand down the line.