Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Highlights: Novak Djokovic dismantles Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to win Australian Open

As it happened: He has dominated Nadal and then some more, never allowing him to breathe, to play, to do anything. Hostile tennis from Novak, he has blown Rafa. He owned the show,did Novak and that elation in the middle of the court sums up the effort. Number 7 for Novak

16:22 hrs IST

Historic 7th in the bag

He has dominated Nadal and then some more, never allowing him to breathe, to play, to do anything. Hostile tennis from Novak, he has blown Rafa. He owned the show,did Novak and that elation in the middle of the court sums up the effort. Number 7 for Novak

16:16 hrs IST

Nadal serves to stay in the match

Well, it all boils down to this position. It has been a powerful, stunning display from Djokovic. He leads 5-3 and Nadal is serving to stay in this match

16:00 hrs IST

Stat attack - Dominant Djokovic

15:52 hrs IST

This is fire

Novak has broken Nadal again and he is leading 2-1 in the 3rd set. Nadal is looking resigned to his fate. Novak is pumping it all over the place

15:43 hrs IST

Can Nadal do a Nadal?

15:33 hrs IST

He bags the second game

Sublime, powerful, magical. Novak’s game has been on song and he is not relenting. Rafa’s timing is off, but it is being made to look more mediocre by Novak’s brilliance. Ace after ace, 40-0 and another ace. He has secured the second game with some statement

15:30 hrs IST

Novak on fire

Precision like a surgeon, the forehands are immaculate, the retrieving is on the money, Novak is flying as of now

15:25 hrs IST

Djokovic is on song

Nadal’s timing is certainly off and Novak is on song which is reflecting in the scoreline. He leads 4-2 and Nadal has to hold this serve to stay in the game.

15:18 hrs IST

Struggling to exert pressure

Rafa takes one point and then Novak hits back, there is no string of points which might put Djokovic under pressure and this is helping the Serb break away

15:16 hrs IST

Novak in control

15:09 hrs IST

Much better from Nadal

15:00 hrs IST

Nadal holds serve

Rafa was much better, good serves and great retrieves and now he holds the serve, great start to the second game

14:56 hrs IST

Intense pressure on Rafa

14:54 hrs IST

Insane defence by Novak

He has broken down Rafa here in the first set, not allowing anything to pass by. He was on song and now takes the first set with minimum fuss

14:50 hrs IST

Nadal on the move

14:46 hrs IST

Fire, Djoker

14:41 hrs IST

Nadal settling down?

He wins his second game, and now Nadal is looking far more relaxed. This game might still be gone, but it bodes well for the remainder of the match. 4-2 to Novak

14:33 hrs IST

Nadal on the board

It was under seize, but Nadal holds his serve and is on the board. Djokovic is retrieving the Nadal rockets just about perfectly, but the game now kicks in!

14:24 hrs IST

Nadal broken

Powerful from Novak, he is putting some early pressure on Nadal and has pulled ahead early. On the money, the crowd is lapping it up. This is the first time Rafa’s serve has been broken in the tournament.

14:18 hrs IST

Djokovic holds his 1st serve

Good confident start by Novak, pacy and pointed. Nadal’s chips slightly wayward. Early nerves, most definitely. Power from the Serb!

14:06 hrs IST

Out walk the players

The champs are out, game faces on, the crowd in anticipation, a roar, then silence. It’s all building up, folks, it’s all building up. History on the line!

13:55 hrs IST

Advantage Nadal?

In all Grand Slam meetings, Nadal has a clear advantage with a 9-5 win-loss record. But Djokovic has been in rip-roaring form in the recent past and he will push Nadal hard

13:54 hrs IST

Djokovic speaks

“These are the kind of matches that you live for: finals of Slams, playing the greatest rivals at their best,” said Djokovic after his win against Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in Friday’s semi-final. “What more can you ask for? This is where you want to be.”

13:28 hrs IST

Hello and welcome

Right, we are all set to witness a glorious rivalry write another chapter. Novak takes on Rafael and the stage is already boiling hot. So much is at stake for two champions who just refuse to go away. They will battle it out, not an inch given, not an inch conceded.

We are ready!