It was a final featuring the top two players in the world, who were each seeking their first French Open title. And it was Novak Djokovic who would defeat Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to capture the title and complete a career Grand Slam.

The world No. 1 was slow out of the gate, struggling on his service games, and after Murray earned two breaks, feasting off short serves, Djokovic trailed 1-4 in the first set. That would be all that the Scotsman would need as he served out the set. But the momentum changed quickly, and the Serb rolled in a second set that lasted just 36 minutes. Finally finding his confidence and shot-making, and with his serve now effective, Djokovic excited the Roland Garros crowd with a big fist pump, and the two heavyweights went to the third set leveled.

In the third set, Murray attempted to pump himself back up by shouting, “Let’s go!” But Djokovic began to own the longer rallies. And after gaining prime court position regularly, he kept the world No. 2 on the move, dictating most points. The result was a service break that gave him a 2-1 lead. An energized Djokovic appeared to be the fresher of the two as Murray struggled to regain his edge and his legs. Despite a late surge by the Brit, he would close out the set without incident.

In the fourth set, Djokovic quickly continued his high level of play by breaking Murray early while seemingly finding an answer for every shot from his opponent. Understanding that his battle was uphill, Murray encouraged the crowd for support as he tried to stay in the set after digging out a tough hold in the third game. However, as Murray was forced to fight to hold serve, Djokovic breezed through his service games, and the Serb would break once more late in the set.

The Brit would have one last stand as Djokovic served for the match at 5-2. Murray would break with relative ease and consolidate it, forcing the top seed to close it out on his racket once more. And despite a few nerves, he did just that. On the third championship point, after a Murray groundstroke landed in the net, Djokovic fell onto the red clay as the reality that he had finally won Roland Garros sunk in. The two competitors would embrace at the net.

Djokovic was elated afterwards. “This is truly a special moment for me, maybe the biggest emotion of my career,” he said. “It was a pleasure to see so many fans here for the final.”

It was a performance for the ages by Djokovic, who played at a level that underscores his current dominance of the sport. He became only the third man to hold all four major titles at one time, having won four straight. And it was his 12th career Grand Slam championship, tying him with Roy Emerson. At just 29 years of age, Djokovic finds himself two behind Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras and just five short of Roger Federer’s 17 major titles. One year after one of the most disappointing days of his career, Djokovic finally won the French Open, and with cheers from the Paris crowd raining down, his emotions were evident as he held the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

The runner-up had nothing but praise for Djokovic after the match. “It's an amazing achievement, this is something very rare in tennis,” Murray said. “Winning all four slams is something that is so rare in tennis. It's not happened for an extremely long time, and it will take a long time for it to happen again.”

Meanwhile, the champion was gracious in victory and had kind words for Murray. “It was a pleasure to play Andy and share a special moment on court,” Djokovic said. “Someone had to lose, but I'm sure we will be seeing you with the big trophies in the future.”

Now, with the French Open in the history books, the focus will turn to the grass courts and Wimbledon, which begins in just 22 days.