Djokovic claims maiden French Open with victory over Murray

The victory is Djokovic’s 12th Grand Slam win but his first at Roland Garros. When Murray netted a regulation forehand at the end of the fourth set, he sank to his back in celebration.

As has become his habit through the tournament, Djokovic celebrated with the ball girls and boys, gathering them together and then all raising their arms to the skies.

"It's really a very special moment, perhaps the greatest moment of my career. Perhaps. Thank you," Djokovic said. "I hope you felt joy seeing our tennis."

The win makes Djokovic the first man in nearly 50 years to win four consecutive major championships, and he currently holds all four Grand Slam titles. His opponent said that was a significant achievement:

"What Novak's achieved in the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all the Grand Slams in one year is an amazing achievement. It's so rare in tennis and for me personally, it sucks to lose the match," said Murray.

Rod Laver was the last man to hold all four major titles simultaneously, in 1969, when he earned a calendar-year Grand Slam. Djokovic is now halfway to matching that achievement.

The 29-year-old Serb's first French Open trophy goes alongside six from the Australian Open, three from Wimbledon and two from the U.S. Open. Among men, only Roger Federer (with 17), Rafael Nadal (14) and Pete Sampras (14) own more.

The players exchanged breaks in the first two games before Murray claimed another in the fourth game to open up a lead. He continued to hold serve under some intense pressure from the Serbian before closing out the opening set 6-3.

True to his reputation, the Serb wasted no time getting back in the match, stepping up his power to dominate Murray in the second set, winning 6-1.

The world number one continued to dominate with the aggression that Murray showed in the first game. Djokovic took advantage of an unusually poor display of serving from his opponent to power into the lead with a third set win.

The pattern was now set. Djokovic, as relentless as ever, broke yet again in the first game of the fourth set. Murray had looked to have few answers in the baseline battle, with Djokovic unerringly consistent in his strokeplay.

The British player appeared to tire as the fourth set wore on but gave himself a glimmer of hope when he broke back when Djokovic first served for the match at 5-2. With Djokovic perhaps a little apprehensive so close to completing the Grand Slam set, Murray claimed the next two games to make his fellow 29-year-old serve for the match again.

This time, Djokovic held his nerve, Murray finally striking a forehand in to the net to hand his opponent the title he craved over any other.

mp/dv (AP)