Unlike the women’s draw, where upsets littered the field, the men stayed much more in line with the seeds at the Australian Open. And it was top-seeded Novak Djokovic defeating second seed Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 (3) to capture his sixth Australian Open title.

If there were any question as to whether there would be a hangover from the Federer match by the world No. 1, it was quickly answered as Djokovic raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first set with sharp, purposeful strokes. Meanwhile, Murray appeared as though he may have had lingering effects from the five-set semifinal against Raonic. He would finally scratch the scorecard, avoiding a bagel set, and began to settle down with more solid play. But it was too late to save the first set, and Djokovic cruised to take it in just 30 minutes.

Early in the second set, Murray finally appeared engaged in the match after a lengthy baseline battle went in his favor, and he let out a loud motivational yell.  Midway through the set, there was a sense that he had lifted his level of intensity and had become competitive with the Serb. However, it did not show on the scoreboard as play remained on serve. And in the seventh game, despite the elevated play, Djokovic would find a break of service. To Murray’s credit, he would fight back, quickly regaining his lost service break. However, the turning point of the set came with Murray serving at 5-5 with a 40-0 lead. Despite the deficit, Djokovic worked himself back into the game and would break serve. He would close out the set and take a decisive two-set lead.

Afterwards, a deflated and perhaps tired Murray appeared defeated, dropping his first service game of the third set. But the Scot has a reputation for his fighter mentality, and he would live up to that billing as he battled back to even the set near its midpoint. Murray found his second wind and played more inspired tennis as the competition advanced, and the set would be determined by a tiebreak. Perhaps the lack of fresh legs finally caught up to the world No. 2 in the tiebreak, as two double faults and a couple of tired-looking shots dug a hole too deep to escape. Djokovic would close out the match, winning the title with an ace.

With the championship, the Serb joined Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg with 11 career major titles. Djokovic admitted that he was reminded of his potential place in history prior to the match. “I can’t lie and say I didn’t think about it,” he said. “Of course, it was in the back of my mind. Coming into the court, I knew that I have a chance to make history. Of course it served as a great motivation, as a great imperative to play my best.”

It was another great fortnight for Djokovic, who would equal Roy Emerson with six Australian Open championships. In hindsight, Gilles Simon would provide his most stern test during the two weeks in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Murray would put his play in a capsule, explaining “The first set, I wasn’t there, but the second and third sets I do think were very close. I do think I could have played a bit better. I didn’t think I hit my forehand as well as I could have done. When I did in the third set, that helped me out a lot. I was able to get myself into the net more. I was able to play more offensive tennis then.”

It was a roller-coaster two weeks for Murray, with the potential of his wife going into labor back home and the mid-match collapse of his father-in-law, Nigel Sears, who was coaching on another court while he was playing. An emotional Murray had a message for his wife during the trophy presentation afterwards, saying “You’ve been a legend the last two weeks. I thank you so much for your support, and I’ll be on the next flight home.” He now plans to take a month away from tennis.

Meanwhile, Djokovic will continue his historic run as he attempts to win the one major that has eluded him in Paris this spring. With 11 Grand Slam titles, discussion pertaining to the opportunity to eventually chase down Federer’s 17 has now heated up. Just 28 years old and currently playing at a level well beyond his peers, he will continue his pursuit in the balance of 2016.