Novak Djokovic Finally Conquers Clay, Beats Murray in French Final

After losing the French Open final on three previous occasions.

Novak Djokovic with the French Open men’s singles winners trophy. (Photo: AP)

Novak Djokovic has finally won his first French Open title, also becoming only the third man in history to win all four Grand Slams in a row.

The world number 1 beat Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the final on Sunday to join an elite club that has two others recruits- Don Budge and Rod Laver.

It’s really a very special moment. Perhaps the greatest moment of my career.

Novak Djokovic

Murray With The Early Lead

The match however started on lines that deceives the outcome. It was Murray who took the first set after breaking Djokovic in the second and fourth games.

He was serving for the set at 5-3, and on 15-0 the top seed’s focus shifted to a decision of the chair umpire. Djokovic appealed when an out call on Murray’s serve was overruled and that was about all the distraction the high-octane match needed as the Serb netted a backhand on Murray’s third set-point.

The first set going 6-3 to Murray

(Photo: AP)

Top Seed, Steps Up

The world number one however recovered in time to impose his pace on the Philippe Chatrier Court.

After surviving a break point in the first game, Djokovic managed to not only hold serve but also break Murray in the next game to race to a 3-0 lead.

The fourth game was the only time Murray was allowed to hold serve as Djokovic fought his way back into the French Open final with a 6-1 grab of the second set.

(Photo: Reuters)

Djoko-Train Chugs Along

Andy Murray, a favourite for the title, especially after beating Djokovic in the Rome Masters finals last month, conceded the early lead in the third set as well. A volley into the net and it was 2-1 to the world number 1.

Not much resistance from the Briton as his errors from the baseline continued to rise, and with it, Djokovic’s chances as he raced to a 4-1 lead.

Soon enough it was 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to the three time finalist.

(Photo: AP)

Fourth Set to Victory

As an agitated Andy Murray started talking to himself more and more, Djokovic calmy started the set the same way he had the last. Breaking and holding, to take a 2-0 lead.

Some jitters though creeped in, having returned empty-handed from this very stage three time, and Murray swooped in to break back and make it 3-5.

Djokovic was serving for the match and even had Murray save two match points. Ultimately it was a long ralley and a Murray backhand into the net that saw him drop to the ground.

Roland Garros had finally been conquered.