Australian Open: Novak Djokovic Beats Dominic Thiem

Novak Djokovic battled through intense pressure fromDominic Thiem to reassert his dominance at the Australian Open Sunday, claiminga record eighth title and returning to world number one in the process. Theindomitable Serb stretched his unbeaten streak this season to 13 by rallyingfrom two sets to one down and beating the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4,4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a near four-hour ordeal.

It was his 17th Grand Slam title, moving him within two of Rafael Nadal and three of Roger Federer on the all-time list. The victory put him alongside his fellow legends as only the third man in history to win eight or more titles at the same Slam after Nadal (12 at the French Open) and Federer (eight at Wimbledon).

It also ensured he will once again be world numberone when the new rankings are released on Monday, usurping Nadal. Federerremains third with Thiem moving up a place to a career-high fourth. But itwasn't easy with the Serb looking lethargic and out for the count in sets twoand three before regaining his mojo after a medical timeout to grind down thetalented Thiem. Djokovic had never before won a Slam final in seven previousattempts when finding himself two sets to one down.

The Serb, 32, was the overwhelming favorite, but the supremely fit and fast Thiem, 26, always had the weapons to trouble him, which he deployed successfully for much of the match, taming his serve and unleashing some explosive groundstrokes. It was a nerveless start from Djokovic, who comfortably held then put big pressure on the Thiem serve, with a forehand into the net giving him an immediate break and a psychological edge after some monster rallies.

Thiem, though, is as strong mentally as he isphysically and he finally got on the scoreboard after another tough servicegame. And against the run of play, with Djokovic seemingly in control, he brokeback, unleashing pinpoint groundstrokes to make the most of some loose Djokovicshots.

But the world number two was unrelenting, breakingagain as Thiem served to stay in the set, with the Austrian sending down hisfirst double fault of the match at the crucial moment. Remarkably, a rareDjokovic double fault handed Thiem a break to go 2-1 up in set two with thecourageous Austrian refusing to go away.

The Serb was getting frustrated, looking at his coaching box and pointing at his head. He refocused and once again began attacking the Thiem serve, breaking back for 4-4, pumping his fists when the fifth seed sent a backhand wide. But two-time warnings on his serve in the next game rattled Djokovic and he has broken again, with the Serb losing his cool by patting the umpire's foot at the changeover.

He had words with the official before Thiem served out the set — the first the Serb had dropped in an Australian Open final since 2015. Djokovic looked dejected and was immediately broken twice in set three as Thiem raced to a 4-0 lead, having won six games in a row with Djokovic imploding. The Serb was heard telling a trainer he was tired and after losing the set, he went for a medical timeout.

He came back and the fourth set went with serve until a Thiem double fault handed the Serb two break points and he converted to regain control, serving out the set with an ace. Djokovic drew on all his experience to force another break in the deciding fifth set to take a 2-1 lead and kept his foot on the gas to claim an eighth crown from the last 13 Australian Opens.