Novak Djokovic waged war against Rafa Nadal for almost six hours in the longest grand slam final ever played to claim a third Australian Open title and leave the tortured Spaniard empty-handed yet again.
Rafa Nadal soothed his disappointment at yet another loss to Novak Djokovic in the longest ever grand slam final by declaring he was at least free of the mental chokehold the Serb had placed him under throughout last year.
Novak Djokovic said Rafa Nadal had pushed him to the brink of exhaustion as his weary legs held him upright just long enough to see off the Spaniard in the longest grand slam final on record.
Djokovic wins longest title match in Grand Slam history, knocking off Nadal to claim third major in row
There were a lot more disappointed Chinese fans watching the Australian Open this year. That's mostly because there've been a lot more Chinese fans watching in the first place.
Azarenka's 6-3, 6-0 win over three-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova was the 22-year-old's first triumph at a major championships, and will also put her the top of the next women's rankings list released on Monday.
Novak Djokovic won his third Australian Open title after beating Rafael Nadal of Spain in a historic final on Sunday. 
Nadal: Record final has banished mental demons Djokovic: Nadal pushed me to the edge
Belarus's Victoria Azarenka swept imperiously to her first Grand Slam title and the world No 1 ranking on Saturday when she demolished Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final.
Chris Evert (USA) - Nov 3, 1975 Nov 24, 1985; Evonne Goolagong (AUS) - Apr 26, 1976 May 9, 1976; Martina Navratilova (USA) - Jul 10, 1978 Aug 16, 1987; Tracy Austin (USA) - Apr 7, 1980 Nov 17, 1980; Steffi Graf (GER) - Aug 17, 1987 Mar 30, 1997; Monica Seles (USA) - Mar 11, 1991 Nov 24, 1996; Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (ESP)- Feb 6, 1995 Jun 11, 1995; Martina Hingis (SUI) - Mar 31, 1997 Oct 14, 2001; Lindsay Davenport (USA) - Oct 12, 1998 Jan 29, 2006; Jennifer Capriati (USA) - Oct 15, 2001 Jun 9, 2002; Venus Williams (USA)- Feb 25, 2002 Jul 7, 2002; Serena Williams (USA) - Jul 8, 2002 Oct 10, 2010; Kim Clijsters (BEL) - Aug 11, 2003 Feb 14, 2011; Justine Henin (BEL) - Oct 20, 2003 May 18, 2008; Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) - Sep 13, 2004 Nov 12, 2006; Maria Sharapova (RUS) - Aug 22, 2005 Jun 8, 2008; Ana Ivanovic (SEB) - Jun 9, 2008 Sep 7, 2008; Jelena Jankovic (SEB) - Aug 11, 2008 Feb 1, 2009; Dinara Safina (RUS) - Apr 20, 2009 Nov 1, 2009; Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) - Oct 11, 2010 Jan 29, 2012; * Victoria Azarenka (BLU) - Jan 30, 2012
Motivated by recent successes and a surge in interest, Asian junior tennis is riding a surge that could produce more players like Li Na and Kei Nishikori.
China's top junior ace has set her sights on becoming the country's own Agnieszka Radwanska.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus outclassed Maria Sharapova from Russia in her first Australian Open singles final to lift her maiden Grand Slam title and become the new world No 1 in women's tennis.
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