Djokovic denies Nadal yet again in marathon final

By Peter Rutherford

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - 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.

The world number one, who has now beaten Nadal in the last three grand slam finals, looked dead and buried in a dramatic fifth set but dragged himself back from the brink to close out the match 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5.

Djokovic ripped open his shirt and tore it from his shoulders after the final point, letting out a primal roar in front of the players box where his management team had cajoled him to victory throughout the five hours, 53 minute marathon.

The match smashed the previous record of four hours, 54 minutes set when Mats Wilander beat Ivan Lendl in the 1988 U.S. Open final.

The gallant Nadal has now lost in seven successive finals to Djokovic and knows the Serb has something special.

"Now he's the best in the world," the Spaniard told reporters. "That's how great he is. His returns are probably the best in history. I never played against a player who's able to return like this every time."

While Nadal and Roger Federer have enjoyed what many call the greatest rivalry in tennis, it is clear Nadal will have to solve his Serbian conundrum to add to his 10 grand slam titles.

Djokovic has quickly become the standardbearer of success, compiling a 70-6 record in 2011 and becoming just the fifth man to win three consecutive grand slams.