Summary

  • Novak Djokovic beats Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in men's singles final at Australian Open

  • Serbia's defending champion Djokovic wins a record-extending eighth Melbourne title

  • Fifth seeded Austrian Thiem had been seeking a maiden Grand Slam title

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary - click on the audio icon at top of page

  • Watch highlights on BBC Two at 13:30 GMT

Live Reporting

Alex Bysouth and Saj Chowdhury

  1. Pat Cash
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The second serve of Djokovic was quite nervy - 130mph. David Law speed

    DjokovicReuters

  2. *Djokovic 6-4 1-1 Thiem

    Thiem goes for the backhand down the line, but leaves it wide.

    Deuce.

  3. *Djokovic 6-4 1-1 Thiem

    Was that... was that a double fault from Novak Djokovic?

    He challenges, but it's way out.

    Break point Thiem...

  4. *Djokovic 6-4 1-1 Thiem

    A fist shaker from Dominic Thiem, a winner that leaves Novak Djokovic shrugging his shoulders in disbelief. The Serb's response? Skidding into a ferocious forehand.

    30-30.

  5. *Djokovic 6-4 1-1 Thiem

    Just what Dominic Thiem needed. A hold to love with his sixth ace of the final as the clock hits the hour mark.

    .EPA

  6. 'It might be difficult for Thiem to come back'

    Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    When it mattered the most Thiem couldn't close out that first set.

    It's so difficult when you haven't won a Slam. You bring yourself right back into the match and lose the first set. It can be difficult to come back mentally.

  7. Djokovic 6-4 1-0 Thiem*

    It's like beach tennis!

    Both players showing off their maths with an angled exchange at the net, before Djokovic widens it up... but is amazed to see Thiem surviving and winning the point.

    Fantastic work from the fifth seed. 30-0.

  8. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Oh dear. We've been here before with Dominic Thiem.

    A double fault contributed to him not serving out his quarter-final against Rafa Nadal at 5-4 in the fourth.

    Ultimately that didn't prove costly. This feels like it might be.

  9. Djokovic 6-4 1-0 Thiem*

    Hmmm, too early for an actual hot dog?

    Novak Djokovic is hungry... for an eighth Australian Open title that is.

    A quick hold to love.

  10. *Djokovic 6-4 0-0 Thiem

    Dominic Thiem needs to regain some composure now.

    He's being made to run by Novak Djokovic and goes for the hot dog to try and keep the point alive, but it catches the tape.

    30-0.

  11. *Djokovic 6-4 0-0 Thiem

    We saw the curse of the double fault strike yesterday in the women's final, when Garbine Muguruza served a double on match point - and three in the final game - to hand Sofia Kenin a first Grand Slam title.

    It's just struck again in Melbourne...

  12. Game and first set - Djokovic

    Djokovic 6-4 Thiem

    Disaster for Dominic Thiem. A double fault on set point.

    A gift for Novak Djokovic, who takes the lead in this final.

    novak djokovicAFP

  13. Set point Djokovic

    Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Tentative from both players, but it's Dominic Thiem who misjudges a sliced backhand and it skips into the tape. Set point Djokovic once more.

  14. Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It's been two points when Djokovic has had the upper hand - but he can't play that next point very well.

  15. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Dominic Thiem goes for the glory forehand, but drags it just wide. Deuce.

  16. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    And then the Serb finds the net. Thiem edges to advantage... be a big hold from set point down if he can get over the line here.

  17. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Saved by Dominic Thiem, who glances longingly over his shoulder as a Djokovic forehand drifts just long at the end of a 19-shot rally. Deuce.

  18. Set point Djokovic

    Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Make that set point!

    Novak Djokovic's relentless pressure makes it 30-40.

  19. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Like Djokovic's demolition job on Rafa Nadal in last year's final here, the Serb was virtually flawless as he raced into a 3-0 lead.

    Unlike last year he hasn't been able to sustain that crazy-high level in the opening few games.

    Mistakes have started to creep in for the Serb, who has made 14 unforced errors. Against Nadal he made nine unforced errors. In. The. Whole. Match.

  20. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Djokovic gets his lob all wrong, and Thiem hammers it away with interest - it lands near Formula 1's Mark Webber... 30-30.