Defending champion Novak Djokovic fended off a stiff resistance from Dominic Theim in the men's singles final to win the Australian Open for a record extending 8th time.

The second seed and 7-time champion needed five hard fought sets (6-4,4-6,2-6,6-3 and 6-4) to beat his Austrian rival and continue his dominance at his favourite grand slam. Djokovic improved his overall record against Theim to 7-4

It was the Serbian ace who took the initial lead in the match, winning the opening set 6-4 but Theim came back strongly in the next two to win them and take a decisive 2-1 lead. Djokovic stepped up his game when it mattered the most and won the deciding two sets to clinch the match and the title.

While Djokovic had beaten 6-time champ Roger Federer in the first of the 2 semifinals, Theim got the better of Alexeander Zverev to secure a place in the title clash for the first time.

Djokovic's 8th win at Melbourne meant he took his grand slam title to 17, reducing the gap with the all time leader Federer and Rafael Nadal.