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MELBOURNE, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic, behind an attack that gave him seven service breaks, defeated Andy Murray in straight sets Sunday and won the title at the Australian Open. Djokovic broke Murray's serve in the Scot's final service game of each set for a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory and his second Grand Slam title. Djokovic's other major championship also was in Melbourne when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008.
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It was the third Grand Slam final loss for Murray, who was beaten in the 2008 U.S. Open championship match and last year in Melbourne by Roger Federer also in straight sets. Djokovic got Federer out of Murray's way in the semifinals and Murray, who had won his last three matches against Djokovic, had to enter Sunday's match confident.
Djokovic, however, set the tone by winning the first game at love and then forcing Murray to battle through a 16-point second game just to even the set. Murray stayed on serve until the 10th game when Djokovic got the first break of the match and a one-set lead.
Djokovic increased the pressure in the second set by winning the first five games. Murray finally held serve after three consecutive breaks and broke back at love but Djokovic recorded his third break of the set and was in control.
Every time Murray seemed to start a comeback, Djokovic answered. Murray opened the third set with a break only to drop serve in the second game. Djokovic added two more breaks in the third set, including in the eighth game. Almost fittingly, the match ended with Murray hitting a forehand into the net for his 47th unforced error.
Djokovic won 51 percent of the points off Murray's serve and had Murray on the defensive with 18 break-point chances. On serve, Djokovic won 67 percent of the points.
Djokovic was clearly the best player at this year's Australian Open. He lost only one set -- in a tiebreaker in the second round -- over his seven matches. He collected $2.2 million along with the title. Murray's runner-up check was for $1.1 million.
