Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic - in pictures

Here's a chap who was pretty handy with a tennis racket once upon a time. Rod Laver, the man after whom this arena is named, was a winner of the Aussie Open three times in the 1960s - and is still the only man to have won a career Grand Slam (all four titles in one season) on two separate occassions. Today's finalists, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have yet to manage that feat Photograph: Barbara Walton/EPA

Centre Court is packed as the first set gets underway. Djokovic holds serve with a nervy first game before Nadal responds with an imperious service game which he holds to love Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nadal breaks Djokovic in the fifth game of the first set, needing two break points to do so, but when the roles are reversed in the very next game, Nadal has the resilience to save both break points Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Trailing 4-2, Djokovic fights back and wins three straight games ... only for Nadal to claim the following three games and, with them, the first set (7-5) Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images

Djokovic steals a march on Nadal in the second set, but a disastrous double fault from the Serbian while serving for the set hands Nadal a reprieve ... Photograph: Julian Smith/EPA

... then Nadal mirrors his opponent with a hideously timed double-fault with Djokovic on break and set point. So, it's now one set apiece (7-5, 4-6). Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nadal is getting plenty of encouragement from the crowd ... though it's hard to know whether he understands the double entendre in this banner. Safe to say the young lad holding the word 'go' doesn't Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

These two players have never gone five sets in a Grand Slam final but you wouldn't bet against it today. Nadal, who is pouring sweat, almost looks as if he's been dragged the distance already Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

On with a new shirt and on with the tennis Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP

Djokovic is flying around the court in the third set ... Photograph: Lucas Dawson/Getty Images

... how he has these energy reserves after going five sets with Andy Murray two days ago is remarkable Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

For all his evident brawn, Nadal is floundering at the moment. Djokovic is dictating the play Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

... and predictably, Nadal loses the third set 6-2 (making it 7-5, 4-6, 2-6 overall to Djokovic) Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The fourth set is a nail-biter, or even a racket-biter Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images

Nadal saves three break points in game eight Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Is that a game Djokovic will come to rue? Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

Jelena Ristic, Djokovic's girlfriend, tries to spur him on as the set enters a tie-break ... The pressure is on Nadal; Djokovic is just seven points from the title Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

From 5-3 down in the tie-break, Nadal pulls himself back with three straight points ... and when Djokovic blasts wide at set point, Nadal sinks to his knees in relief. It's two sets apiece (7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6), and no matter how long the fifth set takes, this will be the longest match in Australian Open history. It's heading over five hours Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

The fifth set is punishing for both players - after a 31-shot rally, the Serb tumbles to the floor defeated and exhausted. But he has to get straight back up, this match isn't over yet Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nadal breaks first in the fifth set, but then calamitously slams a simple forehand wide with half the court to aim at. Djokovic punishes him by restoring parity at five games all. There are no tie-breaks in the fifth set, of course, so who knows how long this will go on ... Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

The reigning champ breaks Nadal's serve in the next game and then, after surving break point on his own serve, smashes a vicious shot down the centre of the court on Championship point. Nadal is helpless having been run off the court ... Djokovic has, at long last, won the match! Photograph: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

He summons the energy to rip his shirt from his body before going over to celebrate with his ecstatic family Photograph: Reuters

Djokovic kisses the trophy - it's the fifth grand slam title of his career, his seventh straight win against Nadal, and, what's more, he now has the chance to hold all four majors at once if he can win the French Open this year. Of course, Nadal, the King of Clay, may have a thing or two to say about that Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images