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. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    And that's wild, a complete miscue on the backhand side from Dominic Thiem hands Novak Djokovic a 0-30 lead - two points away from the first set.

  2. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Oooh. Did that kiss the baseline? Thiem wants to check...

    Hawk Eye says, nope. 0-15.

  3. Djokovic 5-4 Thiem*

    Frustration on the face of Thiem, going for the baseline for but over-egging a backhand.

    Djokovic closes out, and moves one game away from taking the opening set.

  4. 'Thiem is forcing more errors'

    Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There is one thing Thiem has changed from the beginning of the match. He's playing a lot more crosscourt and forcing more errors from Djokovic.

  5. *Djokovic 4-4 Thiem

    We've had a few lactic acid-inducing rallies already, but it's an open-mouthed Novak Djokovic who points his finger in celebration after that latest one as he skips in to volley the winner.

    Djokovic then gives the crowd on Laver a mouthful after the noise leaps up a notch during another enticing exchange. 30-0.

  6. Get Involved

    #bbctennis

    Daniel Knight: As soon as Thiem just improved the depth on his groundstrokes (especially the slice) he started causing Djokovic problems. If he keeps this level up we’re in for a classic.

  7. Aussie cricket greats Ponting and Warne watching on Rod Laver

    .Getty Images
    .Getty Images

  8. Thiem holds

    *Djokovic 4-4 Thiem

    Loose from Novak Djokovic, the switch-up on Thiem's second serve throwing him off.

    And the Austrian holds with a smash that Djokovic can't coax on target at the second time of asking.

  9. Djokovic 4-3 Thiem*

    Well saved!

    A big serve-forehand-volleyed winner combo from Dominic Thiem.

    ThiemAFP

  10. Break point Djokovic

    Djokovic 4-3 Thiem*

    And now Thiem goes long with a flustered forehand.

    Break point Djokovic.

  11. Djokovic 4-3 Thiem*

    That's furious from Dominic Thiem. Novak Djokovic leaves a high ball there to be hit, and the Austrian doesn't pass up the opportunity to fizz it down the line.

    Djokovic senses a chance on the next point, striding in to slap away the short ball.

    30-30.

  12. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Boom! Finally it is Thiem time. A ferocious backhand ends a mammoth 24-shot rally and brings up the Austrian's first break points.

    He's taken it! That break sneaked up on Djokovic, looked him square at the face and was still nicked out of his top pocket.

    The Laver crowd launch into a deafening roar. They have paid good money to see a proper contest.

  13. Djokovic 4-3 Thiem*

    Can Dominic Thiem consolidate that break and level up?

    Novak Djokovic had other ideas, dusting himself down and finding the winner.

    0-15.

  14. 'Djokovic's footwork was poor'

    Pat Cash
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That was a really poor game from Djokovic. Bad errors - very unusual for Djokovic to do that.

    The ball is becoming more fluffy and slowing down. Djokovic almost expected the ball to come to him quicker. His footwork was poor.

  15. Thiem breaks back

    Djokovic 4-3 Thiem*

    Dominic Thiem breaks back! Huge fight in the Austrian. He won more points on the Djokovic serve in that game than he had in the whole final up until then...

    ThiemReuters

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

    I think Thiem can sense that Djokovic is human because he's committing more unforced errors.

  17. Break back points Thiem

    *Djokovic 4-2 Thiem

    Oh hello, mini-break for Dominic Thiem as he gets hold of Novak Djokovic in the exchange.

    And what a winner after a 24-shot rally! Thiem skips around a slower ball to hammer it beyond Djokovic on the forehand side.

    Two break back points.

    Novak Djokovicreuters

  18. Get Involved

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    Thomas: No 1st set nerves from Novak today; he knew he’d be up against it having suffered at Thiems’s racket in their last 3 matches. Scintillating stuff so far...

  19. *Djokovic 4-2 Thiem

    Make that four.... as a Djokovic forehand glides wide.

    The Serb responds by hammering down a string-shattering serve. 15-15.

  20. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Goran Ivanisevic, who Djokovic brought onto his team last year, talked earlier this week about the subtle changes he has introduced to the Serb's service game.

    "I didn't tell him to serve faster," the Croat, who famously won Wimbledon in 2001, said. "Just little changes to his ball toss. Now he's confident and believes he can serve harder."

    That's particularly noticeable on his second serve, which is up at an average of 109mph so far today. His first-serve average speed is only slightly higher at 115mph.

    Thiem has only won three points in his three receiving games.