Novak Djokovic wins Australian Open Championship 2008

Novak Djokovic became Serbia's first ever grand slam champion on Sunday after beating the unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final of the Australian Open.

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 22-year-old Frenchman, who defeated second seed Rafael Nadal in the last four, again had Djokovic on the ropes on his next service game, bringing up two break points that the world number three did well to repel before holding.

After kissing the court at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic celebrated with his family before thanking them for their support.

The new champion was also full of praise for his vanquished opponent.

"Jo has had an unbelievable tournament and he should be proud of himself," he said. "If he had won tonight it would have been absolutely deserved, so well done for his success."

He added with a grin: "I know the crowd wanted him to win more. But it's all right, I still love you guys, don't worry.

Tsonga added: "I would like to thank Novak for a good fight, for me it was good fun."

Maria Sharapova is the new Australian Open champion 2008

Russian beauty Maria Sharapova is the new Australian Open champion after winning the battle of the glam queens in straight sets. Fifth seed Sharapova wrapped up her third major title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic on Saturday.

The Russian lost out to Serena Williams in the final 12 months previously, the fifth seed produced a powerful performance to see off a spirited Ivanovic in straight sets and take the season's opening grand slam title.

The 20-year-old Russian didn't drop a set in seven matches at Melbourne Park, including wins over three of the top four ranked players, erasing 12 months worth of painful memories in the wake of her 6-1, 6-2 loss last year.

Sharapova was the first to gain the upper hand when she broke Ivanovic in the fifth game of the first set after the Serb scooped a backhand long.

Both players then held serve before Ivanovic had a chance to break back at 30-40, which she spurned after hitting a backhand into the net. Ivanovic took a 5-4 lead and had the Russian on the ropes at 0-30 but a combination of strong serving and some poor shots from the fourth seed saw Sharapova escape.

Sharapova went on to take the first set as she converted the first of three set points when her opponent's low forehand did not make it over the net.

Ivanovic was immediately under pressure at the start of the second, managing to hold her serve after a lengthy deuce thanks to some incredible recovery play.
Sharapova had no such problems and the set went with serve until at 3-3, the Russian took control.

A beautiful forehand pass set up 0-30 on Ivanovic's serve and although the Serb battled back, a double fault and then a forehand that ended up in the net saw Sharapova take a 4-3 lead.

She consolidated that advantage in her next service game before a punishing forehand gave her three match points on Ivanovic's serve and Sharapova duly completed victory when the Serb sent a forehand wide.

For the Serb, it was a second final disappointment having lost out to Justine Henin in the French Open last year.

Sharapova wished her mother, Yelena, a happy birthday and told her how she planned to spend some of her $1,207,790 prize money.