Novak Djokovic proved he is still the king of Melbourne by dismantling an out-of-sorts Daniil Medvedev to win a record-extending ninth men’s title at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The Serbian top seed won 7-5 6-2 6-2 to claim his 18th Grand Slam, leaving him two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the men’s record books.

33-year-old Djokovic has never lost a final at Melbourne Park and beating Medvedev is a third triumph in a row.

Russian fourth seed Medvedev, 25, has now lost both of his Grand Slam finals.

After losing to Nadal in the 2019 US Open final, the Russian was seen by many as the man to finally beat Djokovic in an Australian Open final and win his maiden major.

Medvedev had reached the Melbourne final on the back of a 20-match winning streak, but floundered under the intense pressure applied by Djokovic.

Throwing racquets, poor body language and shouting angrily at his team were an illustration of how the Russian imploded in the third set, contrasting starkly with Djokovic’s confident and steely exterior.

Djokovic clinched the title after one hour and 53 minutes with a backhand overhead volley, falling to the blue court on his back before lapping up the acclaim of the crowd on Rod Laver Arena.