Novak wins six-hour final

It took almost six hours, but Novak Djokovic retained his Australian Open championship with a hard-fought five set victory over Rafael Nadal.

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A shirtless Novak Djokovic celebrates his epic win over Rafa Nadal in the men's final of the Australian Open. AFP

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Djokovic wins epic Australian Open final

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Defending champion Novak Djokovic battled past Rafael Nadal in an epic, five-set Australian Open final which clocked in at 5hr 53min -- the longest title match in grand slam history -- early Monday.

Djokovic fought back from losing the first set to take a 2-1 lead, but he was then taken to a gripping fifth set by resurgent Nadal before winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 for his third consecutive major title.

The nail-biting match of wildly swinging fortunes, played in front of an enthralled crowd, started before 8:00 pm on Sunday and did not wind up until 1:40 am on Monday, and was also the longest in the tournament's history.

The two rivals-but-friends shake hands after the final point. AFP

"Good morning everybody," Nadal told the crowd afterwards. "I will never forget this match. Even though I lost, it was something really special for me. Thank you very much, I will come back here a lot and I will keep fighting."

Djokovic, who picks up a cheque for Aus$2.3 million (US$2.4 million), has now beaten the Spaniard in three consecutive grand slam finals and seven consecutive title matches overall.

"Rafa, you're one of the best players ever. You're one of the most respected guys on the tour," he said.

"We made history tonight, and unfortunately there couldn't be two winners. But I wish you all the best for this season and I hope that we will have many more matches like this and many more finals."

The Serb, who had a gruelling five-set semi-final win over Andy Murray, came into the final with a day less rest than Nadal, and having complained about allergy-related breathing problems in Melbourne.

He struggled to get into the match early on against his never-say-die opponent, slamming racquet to the ground when he was broken and falling a set behind but, re-energised, he found his rhythm in the second set to level.

In the dramatic fifth set Nadal secured a crucial break in the sixth game, but with the Spaniard now suddenly looking the more likely winner, Djokovic battled back to secure a break of his own.

With players refusing to give an inch, the Serbian top seed broke again in the 11th game when Nadal netted with a backhand and then, in almost unbearable tension, saved a break point as he served out for the championship.

The Serb ripped off his shirt in celebration and marched to his players' box, flexing his muscles and then hugging his coach as he claimed his third Australian Open title, after 2008 and 2011.

epic – of an event or activity that lasts a long time and is difficult or complicated  ยิ่งใหญ่
defending champion – a player or team who won a competition the previous time it was held ผู้ชนะเลิศครั้งก่อน
Grand Slam – one of the four major tournaments, including the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open การแข่งขันชิงแชมป์รายการใหญ่
gripping – exciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention น่าสนใจ, น่าดึงดูดใจ
resurgent – becoming stronger or more popular again ซึ่งฟื้นคืนพลังใหม่
consecutive – following one after another in order and with nothing else in between ที่ต่อเนื่องตามลำดับ
nail-biting – (of a sports event, film, etc.) very exciting because you don’t know how it will end ซึ่งวิตกกังวล, กระวนกระวาย
fortune – luck โชค
enthralled – giving all your attention to something because it is so interesting, beautiful, etc.  หลงใหล, ติดตรึงใจ
wind up – wrap up  to finish  ทำให้เสร็จสิ้น
rival – a person you are competing against or opposing คู่แข่ง
respected – admired by many people for your qualities or achievements   ที่เคารพ
gruelling – very difficult and tiring, needing great effort for a long time ทำให้เหนื่อย
allergy – a medical condition in which you become sick or your skin becomes covered with red marks as a reaction to something you eat, breathe or touch อาการแพ้  ภูมิแพ้
struggle – to try hard to do something that you find very difficult พยายาม
opponent – a person or team being competed against in a sports event คู่ต่อสู้
slam – to hit with great force ชนเข้าอย่างแรง
racquet – a piece of sports equipment used for hitting the ball, etc. in the games of tennis, squash or badminton. It has an oval frame, with strings stretched across and down it ไม้ตีลูกในการเล่นกีฬา (เช่น เทนนิส, แบดมินตัน ฯลฯ)
re-energised – having more energy, strength again
rhythm – a regular pattern of movement or sound จังหวะ
dramatic – exciting and impressive ตื่นเต้นเร้าใจ
secure – to get or achieve something ได้รับ, ทำให้ได้ผล
crucial – extremely important because it effects the result of something สำคัญยิ่ง
refuse to give an inch – to do everything possible to succeed despite difficulties
top-seeded – (especially of a tennis player) given first place on the list of those expected to win games in a particular competition because of the way they have played in the past ถูกจัดให้เป็นผู้แข่งขันชั้นนำ
net – (in tennis) to hit the ball into the net
unbearable – too painful or unpleasant for you to continue to experience ซึ่งไม่สามารถทนได้, ซึ่งทนไม่ไหว, ซึ่งเหลืออด
tension – the feeling of being so nervous or worried that you can’t relax  ความตึงเครียด
rip – to tear something quickly and with a lot of force ฉีก, กรีด, ตัด
flex – to bend, move or stretch an arm or a leg, or contract a muscle, especially in order to prepare for a physical activity งอ (ส่วนต่างๆ ของร่างกาย), โค้ง
muscle – a piece of body tissue that you contract and relax in order to move a particular part of the body; the tissue that forms the muscles of the body  กล้ามเนื้อ
hug –to put your arms round someone กอด
claim – to win something มีชัยชนะ