Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray to win his maiden French Open title. This victory for world no. 1 Djokovic means he has finally completed his career Grand Slam and adds another title to the 11 already collected Grand Slam trophies.
Here's how it exactly happened: *denotes server
9: 57 pm: What does this mean?
Novak >#Djokovic becomes the 1st man in 47 years (after Rod >#Laver ) to win all 4 major titles simultaneously.... >#RG16>#No12k
— Vibhu batra (@VIBHUISM) >June 5, 2016
9: 47 pm: GAME, SET AND MATCH, DJOKOVIC. Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 4-6 Novak Djokovic
What a game. What. A. Game. Who would've thought that Murray would save two championship points and bring it to duece? That was so so cruel for Murray fans because they were just starting to think there was going to be a massive upset. But you knew better didn't you? This is Djokovic.
Murray let out a huge roar, his fist shaking wildly as he won the first point. The crowd gasped. Was there a shift in momentum? Murray puts into the net on the second point. 15-15. But that's just amazing from Djokovic to angle the ball over the net and out of Murray's reach. 30-15. Murray then goes long. Djokovic a point away. 40-15...
And then.... Double fault from Djokovic! In this game. Really, Nole? Must you tease us so?
Followed by a wide. Goodbye, two championship points, but I'll see you soon, he seemed to be saying. Drama ensues further after an intensive rally... and Murray hits it to the net.
Djokovic has the final Grand Slam to adorn his collection.
9: 39 pm:Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 4-5 Novak Djokovic*
And Murray manages to hold. Djokovic will serve for that elusive title once more.
9: 33 pm: * Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 3-5 Novak Djokovic Murray breaks!
There is so much drama at the Phillipe Chartier, and we are not able to handle it. A ray of light for Murray.
9: 28 pm: Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 2-5 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic breaks to love
It's all crumbling for Murray now. And what better way to know the Serb is waiting to wrap it up? He smiles. That devilish, proud smile of a well deserving champion.
Djokovic will serve for his first French Open title.
9: 25 pm *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 2-4 Novak Djokovic
9: 23 pm Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 2-3 Novak Djokovic*
Murray is putting up a fight here but he needs more than that.
9: 18 *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 1-3 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is quickly at 30-0, even as Murray seems to have gotten some of his energy back. Not quite enough, as the Serb holds serve to love.
9: 10 Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 1-2 Novak Djokovic*
A much needed revival game from Murray. Can he turn this around for himself now? Murray shows who is the boss in the smash area, after Djokovic corners him with a high shot.
9: 04 pm: *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 0-2 Novak Djokovic
All systems are a go for Djokovic!
8: 59 pm: Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 0-1 Novak Djokovic*
It's raining break points! Murray is agitated and Djokovic is using it to his absolute advantage. It was triple break point time after Murray nets it, fails to convert a drop shot from Djokovic and to add fire to fury - a late call during his service routine.
8: 51 pm:GAME AND SET Djokovic. *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-6 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic blitzes through this game 40-0. Just what is going on inside Murray's mind? A few errors from the Serb makes it 40-30, but we know that's only momentary.
8: 47 pm:Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 2-5 Novak Djokovic*
Murray races to a 40-0 lead, but hey, you can run from Djokovic. Not hide from him. He quickly catches up and before you know it, it is 40-30. Thankfully, he goes long and Murray is able to hold.
Djokovic will serve for the set.
8: 42 pm: * Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-5 Novak Djokovic
That game was nearly 10 minutes long and it included four break points that Murray wasn't able to work on.
8: 27 pm:Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-4 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic breaks, again!
This is when we start sounding like a broken record. Murray flails about, gifts two break points and Djokovic is completely in the zone.
8: 27 pm: * Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-3 Novak Djokovic*
Murray is tired and it shows. He had just managed to save a gruelling rally, thanks to Djokovic netting it, but he practically gifts the following two points because he is so tired and has no energy to come up with a strong shot back.
This is what Djokovic does to you.
8: 20 pm:Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-2 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic breaks!
And slowly, point by point, Djokovic is stealing this match away from Murray. It is evident in his shots and in Murray's crestfallen look. The Serb quickly gets to two break points, Murray screams when he saves the first. But what was surely a point for him was wasted as he puts it into the net. Djokovic breaks and is cruising. Has Murray checked out mentally?
8: 17 pm: *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-1 Novak Djokovic
Yet another gruelling rally. These two don't give up. A supreme level of stamina is on display as both players seem to go back and forth for the ball at net, but it is ultimately Djokovic who triumps. He holds.
8: 14 pm: Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 1-0 Novak Djokovic*
And fairly well he does. The crowd is screaming 'Come on Murray!' and he seems to be getting his momentum back.
8: 10 pm: Just how is Murray going to cope from THAT?
8: 04 pm:GAME AND SET Djokovic. *Andy Murray 6-3 1-6 Novak Djokovic
How can one dissect the technicalities of a game like that, when Djokovic cruises through, leaving you with no time? From barely hanging on in the first set.. he has taken this set right from Murray who seemed to have lost his concentration somewhere down after that first set. A cross-court beauty at 40-15 just settles it for him.
8: 02 pm: Andy Murray 6-3 1-5 Novak Djokovic*
Brilliant drop-shot from Andy Murray and even brilliant-er return from Djokovic. Is there anything the world No. 1 cannot do? He knows that was a great shot, a great game (includes a 17-shot rally) to win. Djokovic breaks and this set can go only one way now.
7: 56 pm *Andy Murray 6-3 1-4 Novak Djokovic
It's a crystal clean game from the Serb. He goes 40-0, is slightly distracted and nets it, but makes no mistake on the next point.
7: 55 pmAndy Murray 6-3 1-3 Novak Djokovic*
Good hold from Murray from 15-40. A Djokovic drop-shot gone wrong has saved Murray. The Serb seems back in form and the energy of Murray seems to have dropped. Are we going to see a familiar narrative again?
7:48 pm: Did we see someone? And is said someone Leonardo Dicaprio?
7:45 pm: * Andy Murray 6-3 0-3 Novak Djokovic
Just what we thought he would do. Djokovic has unleashed his beast mode. He is firmly in the game now and has moved up to 3-0 in this set. Flawless hitting takes him to 30-0, Murray does not help himself by netting. That's a firm firm hold by the Serb.
7:40 pm:Andy Murray 6-3 0-2 Novak Djokovic*
Murray fights hard but ends with a double fault to hand Djokovic the game. This is the sort of test that Djokovic hands to his opponent and this is the sort of test that Murray is used to losing.
7:40 pm: * Andy Murray 6-3 0-1 Novak Djokovic
7:30 pm: GAME AND SET MURRAY. Andy Murray 6-3 Novak Djokovic*
Mother of all Gods, when was the last time Murray won the first set against Djokovic? Been the better player by quiet some distance. Novak had seemed distracted after that incredible first game. And what do the stats say?
So... Andy Murray has never lost a match at Roland Garros when he wins the 1st set... 26 wins - 0 losses >#RG16
— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) >June 5, 2016
But there was one point in this game. Huge huge point of the match. Would be the talk of many many reports following the match. Djokovic argues with the umpire, the crowd is booing, they're not stopping. What is happening? A second serve from Murray is wrongly called out, but it was in, but Djokovic stopped because it was called out. But point given to Murray. Do you understand anything? Neither do we.
7:20 pm: *Andy Murray 5-3 Novak Djokovic*
Very very uncharacteristic from Djokovic, is he almost giving the set up? Of course, that's what he'd like you to think. A brilliant and precise volley from him settles the game. Murray will now serve for the set.
7:15 pm: Andy Murray 5-2 Novak Djokovic*
Murray holds, thankfully. He seemed distracted, both by Djokovic who showed a sudden burst of energy and... a guy in the players' box who was wearing a light blue tee. Murray quickly gets to 30-0, but he is punished by his opponent on his second serve. His third is much better, and just when it is advantage Murray, he hits it in the net.
7: 00 pm:Andy Murray 4-1 Novak Djokovic*
It seems that Murray has found his form after that abysmal first game. Djokovic on the other hand, seems to be completely out of sorts and is missing easy forehand winners. This is four games in a row for Murray.
6:59 pm:*Andy Murray 3-1 Novak Djokovic Murray breaks!
There's the first monster rally we've all known and have been waiting for. It ends with a drop shot from Djokovic that Murray almost managed to return, but pushes it to the net. The Serb then goes needlessly wide. Are we looking at a second break?
6:56 pm: Andy Murray 2-1 Novak Djokovic*
Is the real Andy Murray standing up? He moves quickly to 30-0. 40-0. And then an Ace. Welcome, Murray! Just the service game we're expecting from you.
6:50 pm:*Andy Murray 1-1 Novak Djokovic And now Murray breaks!
How is that for a quick turn of tables? This should be expected considering it's the No 1 and No. 2 we're looking at. Just when you thought Djokovic was unstoppable. Murray gets his first points on the board when Djokovic misses a hit and then puts it into the net.
6:45 pm:Andy Murray 0-1 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic breaks.
Just not the start that Murray had expected. He has been broken to love. Amazing start by the 11-time Grand Slam winner. An amazing loop shot, followed by Murray hitting in to the net, to a superb forehand point, this seems like it's in the pocket for the Serb.
6:42 pm: And we're off! To chants of "Nole! Nole!" from the crowds. Seems like we know who the crowd is rooting for today. Remember the standing ovation Djokovic got last year?
6:40 pm: Andy Murray has won the toss! He will serve first.
6: 30 pm: The weather at Paris has been a practical nightmare this week, pushing and choking the schedule. But it looks decent enough today. Fingers crossed!
Welcome to The Hindu ’s live coverage of the French Open 2016 final. It’s a big match today as both finalists – Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Great Britain’s Andy Murray – are gunning for their maiden Roland Garros title.
Who do you think stands a chance?
World No. 1 Djokovic seems to be dominating the game like no other, and is the clear favourite here while Murray, even though ranked No. 2, is miles away.
Djokovic has been tantalisingly close to the French Open title. He has been a French Open finalist three times in the last four years. He lost in 2012 and 2014 to Rafael Nadal and then a shocking upset in 2015 to Stanislas Wawrinka. He has also reached four semifinals and two quarter finals. No man has come so close without getting that prized honour.
But Murray, on the other hand, is in to his first final here and also has the best shot possible at winning this. For Murray, it would be one thing to threaten Djokovic, (which he has done many times in the past) and another to completely finish him off. He has done this before – when he defeated in Djokovic in New York in 2012 and in Wimbledon in 2013. He will need to lift his level of playing by a huge amount.
