Novak Djokovic Defeats Rafa Nadal in Longest Grand Slam Final

Novak Djokovic showed he is the no. 1 tennis player in the world by beating no. 2 Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s 2012 Australian Open. The defending champ outlasted Spanish Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 in five hours and 53 minutes — the longest tennis grand slam game in final history.

Novak Djokovic also played four hours and 50 minutes to beat Andy Murray in the semi-final on Friday night.

Djokovic is also the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion. Djokovic joins Mats Wilander in winning three Australian Open titles. In the Open era, only Andre Agassi and Roger Federer (with four each) have won more.

Djokovic has now won seven finals in a row against Nadal.