Djokovic denies Murray in Melbourne

[DexteR]

Andy Murray's agonising wait to claim his maiden grand slam title continues after he was beaten in straight sets by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final.

It was the second year in a row that Murray fell at the final hurdle, and he was outplayed by Djokovic, who reclaimed the title he won three years ago with a 6-4 6-2 6-3 victory.

No. 3 seed Djokovic, who knocked out defending champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals, burst out of the blocks, winning the first six points and forging an early break point, but Murray was able to hang on to hold his serve after a nervy 15-minute game.

Murray, who had lost his previous two grand slam finals against Federer, struggled to settle but his nerves appeared to ease and the Scot began to weather the early Djokovic pressure.

It was a cagey opening encounter, and Murray began to ask questions of Djokovic's game, but there was no breakthrough for either player until Djokovic came out on top of a stunning 38-shot rally to claim two set points, and when Murray's return sneaked long, Djokovic claimed the advantage.

The Serb carried his momentum into the second set and after a series of sloppy errors Murray began to lose his grip in the match and found himself two breaks down and serving to avoid a humiliating whitewash in the second set.

But he hung on and dug deep to break back to 5-2, but just as it looked like he was beginning to get back into his stride, Djokovic bounced back to claim a two-set lead.

With Murray facing the prospect of having to win three sets - having failed to win a set in all his grand slam final appearances - the Scot responded positively early in the third set, but all his hard work was undone when he failed to hold his serve - wildly sending a smash long.

Djokovic began to sense victory and continued to heap pressure on the Scot, who was ultimately left to rue 47 unforced errors.

But just as the engravers prepared to get to work on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, doubt began to creep into Djokovic's mind for the first time in the match, handing Murray a lifeline which the Scot grabbed with both hands to hang on to his fading chances of victory.

Murray battled valiantly, but Djokovic was not to be denied, and he dug deep to wrap up the victory after just under two hours and 40 minutes on court.

[sheem]

hmmmm murray english haina?