SPORTS\\ Novak Djokovic was the last man standing in the clash for the title between Rafael Nadal and himself, at the singles final of the Australian Open, in what turned out to be the longest grand slam match ever. Djokovic won the match, which lasted for 5 hours and 53 minutes, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (7-5), 7-5. With this victory Djokovic became the fifth man since the Open Era began in 1968 to win three straight Grand Slam finals. Ironically, Nadal became the first man in the Open Era to lose three straight major finals. He was beaten in four sets by Djokovic at last year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open final. In the fifth set, at 4-4, minutes before the electrifying victory, Djokovic collapsed after losing a 31-shot rally, the longest of the match. But then, he shored up his reserves of strength and rallied, beating Nadal for the seventh time in a final since last March. At the end of the historic match, Djokovic delighted his supporters by tearing off his shirt in celebration.