Djokovic prevails in five sets over Murray

MELBOURNE, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic fought off Andy Murray for a five-set victory Friday and a chance to defend his Australian Open title against Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic, ranked No. 1 in the world, beat Murray in three sets in the 2011 Open final but had a much tougher time Friday, advancing out of a 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 7-5 battle that took nearly 5 hours.

He next draws Nadal, who got an extra day off after he eliminated Roger Federer in four sets in their semifinal Thursday. The men's singles final is Sunday.

Nadal, ranked No. 2 in the world, is 16-13 versus Djokovic lifetime but Djokovic was 6-0 against the Spaniard last year. All of those matches were tournament finals, including Grand Slam events Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Djokovic is seeking to become the fourth player -- joining Rod Laver, Federer and Nadal -- in the Open Era to win three consecutive major tournaments.

Djokovic built a 5-2 lead in the final set but Murray then held serve, broke Djokovic at love -- his seventh break of the match -- and held again to even the set.

Djokovic fought off one break point in a 12-point 11th game and grabbed the advantage in the 12th, finishing off his 11th break of the night for the win.

It was a fitting cap to a match that featured some of the best tennis of the tournament. Djokovic won two of three consecutive breaks for an edge in the first set. Murray rallied from an early break by winning six of seven games in the second to even the match.

Djokovic and Murray traded breaks the first two and last two games of the 88-minute third set with Murray prevailing in the tiebreaker on his second set point.

The fourth set was all Djokovic. He won the first four games and allowed Murray just 11 points in forcing the final set.