Djokovic clinches Aussie title

The third seed from Belgrade conceded the first set to the world number 38 but rallied to register a 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7/2) triumph in three hours and six minutes.

The victory marks the first grand slam crown for 20-year-old Djokovic, who upset world number one Roger Federer in the semi-final.

Tsonga made an uncertain start to the match, ceding his opening service game to his opponent, but Djokovic, his forehand misfiring, committed the same offence to let Tsonga off the hook.

The match settled into a rhythm with the players holding to 4-4, but the manner in which Tsonga put himself 5-4 ahead, sending down three aces in succession, suggested that he had stolen the early psychological edge.

The second set went with serve for the first six games, although Djokovic's service game to love to bring up 3-3 suggested that he was starting to find his rhythm.

After both players held for 5-4, Djokovic pulled level in the match after racing to a 40-0 lead and claiming the set on an ace.

And Djokovic underlined the turnaround in the match in the third game of the third set, forcing break point on the Tsonga serve and wearing his opponent down with a tireless baseline rally before the Frenchman fired wide of the tramline.

The Serbian was not to be denied his glory, and after another set point came and went Djokovic finally claimed the set when Tsonga netted with a forehand volley at the net.

And he duly delivered in a fourth-set tie-break, as Tsonga hit wide of the tramline, to become the youngest ever winner of the men's title in Melbourne.