Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal to claim record seventh Australian Open title. The Serb was in full-flow against long-time rival and 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Djokovic took the Spaniard by surprise and claimed the first set with his clinical game. Djokovic went on to dominate the match with his strong returns and incredible serve and won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. The Serb, by winning the Australian Open 2019, went past Roger Federer and Roy Emerson's record of six titles at the Rod Laver arena at Melbourne park as he lifted a record seventh Norman Brookes Trophy.  Novak Djokovic's #10yearchallenge is Unmissable! Tennis Great Bares it (All) Most in These Pics!

Nadal, 32, had the chance to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slams twice if he had won the Melbourne Park crown. But that wasn't to be as Djokovic never allowed Nadal to settle down. Novak Djokovic's Interview as a 7-Year-Old Proves He is a True Champion, Watch Video Where He Says, 'Tennis is a Duty for Me'.

With this victory, Djokovic now has 15 Grand Slam titles and is at third place in list of most number of Grand Slams in men's singles. He also went past American great Pete Sampras's tally of 14 Grand Slam titles.

"These are the kind of matches that you live for: finals of Slams, playing the greatest rivals at their best," said Djokovic after dismantling Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in a lopsided 83 minutes in Friday's semi-final, talking about facing Nadal in the final.

It was the 53rd meeting of two giants of the games and their eighth in the final of a Grand Slam. Djokovic is a whisker ahead with 28 victories to Nadal's 25. But tonight was Djokovic's night as he lifted his seventh Australian Open title and outclassed Rafael Nadal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 27, 2019 04:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).