CULTURE: Djokovic TOPS Murray, Wins Aussie Open

(AP) – Novak Djokovic won his second Australian Open title, breezing past Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 today to extend Britain's near 75-year drought in men's singles Grand Slams. Djokovic also won the 2008 Australian title. Murray has lost three Grand Slam finals, also falling to Roger Federer in the 2008 US Open and 2010 Australian Open. The Scot hasn't won a set in a Grand Slam final. Last year, Murray cried after his loss to Federer. They weren't immediately visible this year, but the hurt may have been just as bad after he lost seven straight games through the end of the first set and into the second and never appeared to be in the match.

The last British man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Fred Perry in the 1936 US Open—more than 270 majors ago. Murray and Djokovic, each 23 and born a week apart, are good friends and often practice together. At the coin flip before the match, Djokovic smiled broadly for photos while Murray looked fidgety and nervous. After the match, the two hugged, then Djokovic threw his racket, his shirt and then his shoes into the crowd.