by Dave JAMES
PARIS, France (AFP) — Novak Djokovic captured a first French Open at the 12th time of asking on Sunday, becoming just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
The world number one downed Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to claim a 12th career major and join Don Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the only players to simultaneously possess the French Open, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon trophies.
Djokovic, 29, also put himself halfway to the calendar Grand Slam, last achieved by Laver 47 years ago.
But he did it the hard way as the final reached a tense conclusion, being broken in the eighth game of the fourth set as he served for the title and then squandering two championship points in the 10th before sealing victory when Murray netted a backhand.
“When I broke him the second time and I got to 5-2 in the fourth, I just started laughing. I had that kind of emotion. I didn’t feel too much pressure, honestly. Maybe I took things a bit too lightly and just played a loose game at 5-2,” said Djokovic, one of only eight men to complete the career Grand Slam.
“In the last point I don’t even remember what happened. It was really one of those things — moments where you just try to be there. It’s like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which happened.”
Djokovic, who will now target the first calendar Grand Slam since Laver 47 years ago, was overjoyed with his Paris breakthrough after losing his three previous finals.
“It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career. I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.”
Djokovic imitated former three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten by drawing a giant heart in the Paris clay before collapsing inside it.
“I drew the heart on the court, like Guga who gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court.”
Playing in his 20th final at the majors and sixth in succession, the Serb superstar is the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens back-to-back.
Victory also allowed Djokovic to stretch his winning record over 29-year-old Murray to 24-10 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
Murray, the world number two and the first British man in the final in Paris since Bunny Austin in 1937, remains with two Grand Slam titles as he failed to become the first winner of the French Open since Fred Perry 81 years ago.
“What Novak’s achieved in the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all the Grand Slams in one year is an amazing achievement. It’s so rare in tennis, and for me personally, it sucks to lose the match,” said Murray.
Stressful ending
Djokovic was quickly into his stride, breaking Murray to love in the first game and shrugging off having to play five days in the last six.
The British star broke back to level before reeling off the next four games for a 4-1 lead as Djokovic’s game unexpectedly unravelled.
Murray remained in charge, even finding time to loudly berate a French television interviewer for climbing uninvited into his player’s box overlooking the court.
Djokovic then argued with umpire Damien Dumusois for refusing to have a point replayed at 15-0 as Murray served for the first set.
The world number one had to shake off a break point in the opening game of the second set before Murray obligingly imploded, dropping serve to fall 2-0 behind.
Djokovic misread the geometry on a dropshot which would have given him a double break in the fourth game but he was soon 4-1 to the good.
The top seed remained ruthlessly dialled-in, broke again for 5-1 and levelled the final when Murray dumped a service return into the net.
Djokovic, with the Paris crowd loudly on his side for the first time in four final appearances, broke for 2-1 in the third set which became 4-1 off a sublime running, backhand, cross-court drop-shot.
The Serb saved four break points to go to 5-1 before securing the set against a weary-looking Murray who had spent five hours longer on court than Djokovic and played two five-setters in the opening rounds to get to his first French Open final.
Djokovic kept his foot on Murray’s throat, breaking in the first game of the fourth set as the second seed carried on a running argument with the umpire over the positioning of the overhead camera.
The Serb broke to love for 5-2 and history was just moments away. However, there was still time for a twist as he cracked when serving for the title before finally sealing the triumph after three hours on court.
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