Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork. [url=https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/]Pirates Jerseys 2020[/url] .com) - Novak Djokovic captured a mens Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title on Sunday by defeating rival Andy Murray in the final in Melbourne. The world No. 1 great secured his fourth Aussie title in five years by handling the sixth-seeded Murray 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0 in 3 hours, 39 minutes at Rod Laver Arena. This was the first time that a mens Aussie final ended with a love set. It marked Djokovics eighth career Grand Slam title in 15 major finals. Hes also the reigning Wimbledon champ. Djokovic joined Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi an eight-time major champ in the Open Era. The great Djokovic also joined Stefan Edberg and Roger Federer as the only men in the Open Era to play in five finals at the Aussie Open. He has won all five of his finals here, including three now against Andy Murray, who also gave way to the Serb in the 2011 and 2013 finals, as well as a semi here in 2012. Djokovic and Murray are the only pair in the Open Era to contest three Aussie Open title tilts. Djokovic snuck out the ultra-tight 72-minute opening set via tiebreak before Murray returned the favor in a grueling 80-minute second. Both stanzas featured fierce ball striking and lengthy, physical rallies. But the match would take a turn for Djokovic in the third set. After trailing 0-2, he broke Murray to even the third at 2-all, consolidated the break with a hold, and then simply managed to cruise from there. The Serbian stalwart won 12 of the final 13 games, including nine in a row to seal the deal in Melbourne. The match came to a close when a weary Murray netted one final backhand. Djokovic broke Murray a whopping nine times, while the British star settled for five breaks in a losing effort. Murray only managed to win 14 of his 41 second-serve points for a paltry 34 percent. The mighty Djokovic is now 12-0 versus Murray after winning the first set of their encounters. Firstly, I want to return the favor to congratulate Andy for a great tournament. Bad luck tonight, Djokovic said. But most importantly I want to congratulate you and Kim [Sears] on your engagement. I wish you a wonderful wedding and lots of kids. To my team, who are with me through good and bad times. They tolerate a lot from me both on and off the court. They sacrifice a lot, added the Serb. Capturing his first Grand Slam title since becoming a father, Djokovic said: Its slightly different thinking for me now since I became a father and a husband. A protester was stopped on court by security during the second set, causing a brief delay in play. Tournament organizers said two people were arrested by police. Security responded immediately. Both were quickly removed with minimal disruption to play, tournament organizers said. Security guards caught one court invader, who was wearing a white shirt with the message Australia Open for Refugees, near the baseline during a changeover after the seventh game of the second set. The players were surrounded by security staff while stadium officials rushed into action. A group of other people who had unfurled a large banner with the same message was escorted out of Laver Arena. Djokovic improved to 16-8 lifetime against his fellow 27-year-old Murray, including 5-2 at Grand Slam events, and the Serb is now 3-2 in their career Grand Slam finals. Djokovic is also now 5-2 versus Murray in best-of-five-set matches. Murray had been 5-4 against Djokovic in their overall career finals matchups prior to Sunday. Murray said the Aussie has been the most consistent major of my career, but I just havent been able to win it. Ill try and come back next year and have a different outcome in the final, he added. Djokovic improved to 49-22 in his overall career finals, while Murray dropped to 31-15, including 2-6 at the majors. Djokovic now owns 50 career match wins at the Aussie, where only Federer (75-12) and Edberg (56-10) have secured more victories at this hardcourt major in the Open Era. The amazing Djokovic has won his last 10 matches against fellow Top-10 players. Djokovic claimed a first-place check worth just over $2.4 million, while Murray settled for $1.2 million as the bridesmaid. [url=https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/]Pittsburgh Pirates Shirts[/url] . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. 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"The BBWAA regards Hall of Fame voting as the ultimate privilege, and any abuse of that privilege is unacceptable," the organization said in a statement. Le Batard, an ESPN host and Miami Herald columnist, said Wednesday he gave his ballot to the website because he detests the "hypocrisy" in the voting process. [url=https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/]Pittsburgh Pirates Gear[/url]. Deadspin had offered to pay a voter for a ballot. Le Batard said he insisted there wouldnt be compensation. "I didnt sell anything. Only conditions were that I NOT get anything," he posted on Twitter. Le Batard told Deadspin that "our flawed voting process needs remodeling in a new media world. Besides, every year the power is abused the way Im going to be alleged to abuse it here." "And my final reason: I always like a little anarchy inside the cathedral weve made of sports." ' ' '
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