Dominant Novak Djokovic beats Daniil Medvedev to win ninth Australian Open and 18th grand slam crown
- The world number one stormed to victory in three sets in front of 7,400 fans at the Rod Laver Arena for record-extending victory in Melbourne
- The Serb is now two grand slams behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both of whom are on 20
Peerless world number one Novak Djokovic demolished Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his ninth Australian Open title and extend his record-breaking reign at Melbourne Park Sunday.
Djokovic overpowered the fourth seed 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in front of 7,400 fans on Rod Laver Arena to end the Russian’s unbeaten run at 20 matches.
In winning a third straight Australian Open for the second time, the Serb claimed his 18th grand slam title to move within two of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who have 20 each, while denying Medvedev his first.
Rarely has a player been so dominant at a single tournament with the Serb’s record-extending ninth title moving him past Federer’s eight at Wimbledon but still a long way behind the 13 Nadal has won at Roland Garros.
But it was a roller-coaster ride to get there, with Djokovic dropping five sets en route to the final and battling an abdominal injury that nearly forced him to pull out after the third round.
