Australian Open 2011: Novak Djokovic Sweeps Andy Murray for Title

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The party just keeps on going for Novak Djokovic.

After leading his Serbian mates to the Davis Cup title last fall, the No. 3 player in the world started 2011 off in grand fashion by winning the Australian Open Sunday night, whipping Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in Melbourne. 

It's Djokovic's second Australian Open title and second Grand Slam victory. It also allows him to close the gap on No. 2 Roger Federer to less than 100 points.

For Murray, it's just one more "almost" in a career of near misses at this level. He lost this final last year to Federer and also fell in the final of the 2008 US Open as he tries to break the United Kingdom's 75-year drought in Grand Slam wins.

In his three Slam finals losses, Murray has not won a single set.

It was the pair's first match since the final in Miami in 2009, which Murray won 6-2, 7-5. In fact, the Scot had won three straight against Djokovic after the Serb won their first four meetings.

After breaking Murray for the seventh time to go up 5-3, Djokovic broke a 30-30 tie with two straight points to win the match. He proceeded to give away his shirt, both shoes and towel, revealing protective tape on his right shoulder and left knee. 

Murray did not show much emotion after the loss, not surprising considering that after he had the first set tied 4-4, he never had another lead.

Djokovic now trails Federer by just 85 points, moving up to 7,880. Murray remains fifth.

We'll have more on the Australian Open men's final and the Open itself in review throughout the day and the week on TennisNow.com.

Keep up with tennis at www.TennisNow.com.