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. Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I feel the twist could have happened in the eighth game before Djokovic came up with those amazing serves in a row.

  2. *Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 5-4 Thiem

    Novak Djokovic punches long and wide on the backhand side. Dominic Thiem holds.

    The Serb will serve for the title.

  3. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 5-3 Thiem*

    Big service game from the Austrian, he's not about to give up this final. 40-0.

    And then a miscued forehand gives the second seed a sniff..

  4. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 5-3 Thiem*

    The drop shot from Novak Djokovic comes off the strings blue, completely under-cooked.

    Dominic Thiem edges to 30-0.

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

    Three incredible serves in a row from Novak. The energy in his body is up. Positive emotions. He's ready to grab that title.

  6. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 5-3 Thiem*

    A couple of wrist-fracturing serves from Novak Djokovic to restore his lead in this service game. 40-30. Another does the trick, he holds out.

    And the seven-time Australian Open champion is one game away from an eighth title.

  7. *Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-3 Thiem

    "Long!" is the call - Djokovic has a long, hard look at it, his box seem to suggest don't bother challenging. It makes it 15-30 in Thiem's favour.

  8. *Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-3 Thiem

    Oh wow. Djokovic does everything right to string Thiem towards the net and set up a simple passing forehand, but can only find the tape. 0-15.

  9. Thiem holds

    *Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-3 Thiem

    A grunting serve is lashed wide by Novak Djokovic. Dominic Thiem takes an energy-sapping hold. But he remains a break down in this deciding set.

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  11. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Saved by the highlight-tipped bandanna-sporting Austrian, and he follows up with an ace.

    Advantage Thiem.

  12. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Uh oh.

    Djokovic apologises, but he's got break point after Thiem wraps the tape and watches it drop on his own side.

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

    Novak is refusing to give the game away. He is pushing to get that double-break cushion.

  14. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Into the cord from Novak Djokovic, a stern look complemented by a shaking fist from Dominic Thiem. But he slaps long again... just can't get over the line. Back to deuce.

  15. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Nice from the Austrian.

    More controlled, drawing Djokovic around the baseline before dashing forward to send down an overhead winner.

    But then Thiem goes long. And we have deuce.

  16. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Big, big challenge from Thiem and he gets it right - that serve just flirted with the line, didn't even hand over its phone number...

    30-30.

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

    It's now Dominic who is rushing and trying to find an opener. Very different than from the second set when he was patient.

  18. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Sublime down-the-line winner from Novak Djokovic, almost in slow motion.

    15-30. A mini-break, and Djokovic is closing in...

  19. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Thiem is starting to miss on that forehand side. A bit loose from the fifth seed. 15-15.

  20. Djokovic 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 4-2 Thiem*

    Brilliant point, until the very last stroke... Thiem seemingly takes control, but Djokovic just gets everything back and the Austrian lashes a backhand wide.

    Djokovic holds to love with an ace.