Australian Open 2019 final result: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in Melbourne

Latest reaction from the 2019 men's final at Melbourne Park

Who has the most grand slams wins in tennis?

Novak Djokovic is the 2019 Australian Open champion after crushing Rafael Nadal in a surprisingly one-sided men's final in Melbourne.

The world No 1 and world No 2 met for the 53rd time but there was only ever one winner at Melbourne Park as the Serb exploded out of the blocks and won going away 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 after breaking the Spaniard's serve five times and only facing one break point himself. The victory, a seventh Down Under, moves him one clear of Roger Federer as the most decorated male player in the tournament's history.

Here's how it all played out:

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Key Points

• Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in the 2019 Australian Open final
• The Serb triumphs in two hours, six minutes: 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
• The No 1 faces now has a 28-25 record over the world No 2
• Djokovic now moves ahead of Roger Federer with the most Australian Open titles (7)
• It is Djokovic's 15th Grand Slam, two behind Nadal and five behind Federer's record (20)
• It sets up Djokovic to hold all four Slams at simultaneously should he win the French Open

[27 January 2019 08:51 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 1-0 Nadal* (0-30)

Nadal hasn't won a point yet!

A shanked forehand by the Spaniard and a point Djokovic dominates once again with his backhand sets up 0-30 already...

[27 January 2019 08:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 1-0 Nadal* (15-40)

Rafa brings it back to 15-30 with a neat one-two combination, but Novak wins the lengthy point as Nadal nets with a backhand.

Djokovic has settled far quicker, and he has two break points..

[27 January 2019 08:55 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 2-0 Nadal

Djokovic breaks straight away!

Did not see this coming - a strong Nadal serve gives an easy put away for the Spaniard, but he strikes his inside-out forehand just long.

Very uncharacteristic - Djokovic with the early advantage.

[27 January 2019 08:57 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 3-0 Nadal*

Djokovic backs up the break with aplomb, holding to love with a combination of aces and domineering shots from the back of the court.

Nadal has won one point so far...

[27 January 2019 09:01 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 3-0 Nadal* (30-40)

Nadal fails to finish the opening point off at the net, as his drop volley is chased down by Djokovic who guides his backhand down the line.

The Spaniard recovers to 15-15, before Djokovic strikes with his traditional backhand cross-court into the open court. Rafa gets it back to 30-30 with a whipping forehand down the line, but goes wide with a backhand.

Another break point...

[27 January 2019 09:03 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 3-1 Nadal

Rafa escapes with his new serve getting him out of trouble there.

Nadal needs to be the aggressor if he's to put pressure on Djokovic - he's on the scoreboard...

[27 January 2019 09:05 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 4-1 Nadal*

Wow.

Djokovic waltzes through his service game, holding to love again via aces and Rafa's inability to cope with Novak's flat backhand. 

The Serb is yet to lose a point on serve. Stunning start. 

[27 January 2019 09:10 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 4-1 Nadal* (30-30) 

Nadal is just not finding his range on the forehand wing, and goes wide to start off the game. 

The Spaniard's serve brings the score to 30-15, but the longer the points last the more success Djokovic is having, as he dominates with the backhand again. 

[27 January 2019 09:12 · Kieran Jackson]

*Djokovic 4-2 Nadal

Just how important could that point be?

Point of the match so far at 30-30, as a net cord brings Nadal to the net. Djokovic lobs his opponent with a volley, but Nadal's backhand running back is pin-point, forcing Djokovic's volley into the net.

Rafa comes through his service game. Just. 

[27 January 2019 09:14 · Kieran Jackson]

Djokovic 5-2 Nadal*

Bizarre.

Djokovic routinely holds to love, but at 30-0 Nadal completely missed the ball with his forehand!

Something isn't right with the Spaniard at the moment, and Djokovic is a game away from the first set.