Sports

AMMAN — Jordan won two medals on the second day of the Mediterranean Fencing Championships on Saturday, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The medals were won by Rua Majali and Ahmad Al Amawi in the foil category and join a previous bronze medal won by Dina Mansi in the epee event on Friday.

The tournament is being held in the Italian city of Cagliari.

AMMAN — Olympic boxer Hussein Ishaish shows why he is considered as one of the world’s top amateur heavyweight fighters by winning his first fight, whilst representing Asia on Saturday night, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Ishaish beat Czech champion Jerry Havel in the Asian vs Europe contest which is seeing the best fighters from both continents go toe-to-toe.

Despite fighting in his opponent’s host city, Ishaish displayed the skills that saw him reach the quarter-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics with an accomplished display that led to a second-round knock-out victory.

It was a tremendous start to a year that will see Ishaish try to secure a place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games through a number of international competitions.

MANCHESTER — Pep Guardiola is convinced that Manchester City have enough leaders to chase down a significant points deficit in the league, something he has never previously achieved as a manager.

Guardiola’s side go into today’s Premier League home match against Arsenal in third place, five points behind leaders Liverpool with 14 games to play.

City suffered their fourth defeat in nine league matches as they were beaten 2-1 at Newcastle on Tuesday in a lethargic display.

They were without the leadership skills of club captain Vincent Kompany, who has made only six league starts this season because of injuries.

Guardiola, though, has rejected the idea that he does not have the players willing to take responsibility in the absence of the Belgian.

“Of course, there are guys with a huge personality to talk, to communicate, but that is only worth so much,” he said. 

“I am not going to call out a guy who is shy, who expresses himself with a lot of character on the pitch, but off the pitch is more quiet and doesn’t talk too much with his mates.”

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “I met incredible players who didn’t speak one word. And I saw a lot of players who speak a lot in the locker room, ‘I want to do that’, and afterwards, when they go out on the pitch and they are under pressure, say ‘I don’t want the ball and I don’t want to defend’. There are so many of these kinds. 

“It is one thing to say that players don’t have the personality to do that. I think we can do more, of course, me above anyone, but I think we have it.”

Serial winner

Guardiola has won the domestic league title in seven of his nine seasons as a senior coach, but on six of those occasions his team led the table from autumn onwards. 

The one exception was in 2009-10, when his Barcelona side swapped places with Real Madrid for several weeks before finally pulling away in early April with a 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu Stadium in El Clasico.

Even that season, Barcelona were always either leading or within one victory of the top. Guardiola has never before, at this stage of a campaign, succeeded in clawing back the size of deficit he now faces and admits it is a new challenge.

“Pressure comes day by day,” he said. “That is why I like the Premier League. I like the competition. You have to play as well as possible to win games in the way you want to play. That is the pleasure I have and we feel as a team and as a manager. The titles are a consequence of that.” 

“But if the other team are top at the end, then when we are done, we will shake the hands of the champions and we will try again next season,” he added.

During last season’s filming of All or Nothing, the Amazon documentary about the club, Guardiola told his players they were the best team in the Premier League, and possibly Europe.

He said he still feels that way. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “Because I believe. I love them, I like them, I trust them. I said many times. So of course I believe it.”

ABU DHABI — Coming from nowhere to win the Asian Cup is just part of the process for Qatar as it looks ahead to this year’s Copa America and then the big one — a home World Cup in 2022.

Felix Sanchez’s team are keeping their expectations in check for the South American championship despite snatching the Asian title from a lowly world ranking of 93.

But it is hard to overstate their achievement in going from zero points at the last Asian Cup to their first continental title in record-breaking style.

It also means that resource-rich Qatar are finally making headlines for the right reasons after the turbulence that has surrounded their successful bid to host the World Cup.

Almoez Ali’s bicycle kick epitomised a stylish win as it sparked Qatar’s 3-1 final victory over Japan on Friday and broke Ali Daei’s 23-year-old mark for goals at single Asian Cup.

“I’m sorry for breaking Mr Daei’s record,” a humble Ali said after scoring his ninth of the tournament.

“I expected to score goals — maybe three or four — but I didn’t expect to score nine,” he added.

Fittingly for a team that has punched above its weight, Akram Afif struck a boxing-style pose as he celebrated the late penalty that ended Japan’s resistance.

Qatar conceded just one goal all tournament and scored 19, winning all seven games and beating former champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea, as well as Japan.

They also thrived in a hostile environment in the United Arab Emirates owing to the ongoing Gulf blockade, with their fans largely barred from visiting and home spectators pelting them with shoes and bottles in the semifinals.

The title raised the beguiling possibility of Qatar being crowned champions of both Asia and South America, when they compete at the Copa America as guests in June-July.

But Ali said the Copa was all about learning for Qatar, continuing the methodical approach which has already paid dividends.

“We’re not expecting to win, but just to learn because after the World Cup, the Copa America is the biggest competition in the world,” Ali said.

“The weakest teams are in Asia, Asia is the weakest continent for football so in the Copa America we will learn more. 

“We’ll benefit a lot as a Gulf team — this will help us have a better performance in 2022.”

After spending many millions of petro-dollars on their world-class Aspire Academy, and scouring the world for top coaches, Qatar is beginning to recoup their investment.

Head coach Felix Sanchez led Qatar to their first Asian under-19 title in 2014, and they reached the semifinals at last year’s Asian under-23s — where Ali was also the top-scorer.

Afif clocked up a tournament-record 10 assists and formed a devastating partnership with Ali, underlining Qatar’s cohesion in both defence and attack after years spent playing together. 

“We’ve been together seven years so I know exactly where Akram will be, where he will pass and he always knows what to expect from me,” Ali said.

“That’s normal after all the time we’ve spent playing together. We get along very well together too.”

Qatar’s win sparked jubilant scenes back home in Doha, but for the team, bigger goals now lie ahead.

“This is one step more to continue developing the team, to play another tournament in the summer and to be ready in 2022 to represent Qatar in the World Cup,” Sanchez said. 

Nikola Jokic had a triple-double as the visiting Denver Nuggets defeated the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 105-99 on Wednesday night.

Jokic had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, Malik Beasley added 22 points, Monte Morris scored 20 and Paul Millsap had 13 as the Nuggets won their fourth consecutive game.

The Pelicans played without five of their top six scorers for the second consecutive night.

Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton, E’Twaun Moore and Nikola Mirotic were all sidelined by injury, leaving just guard Jrue Holiday available among the top six players.

New Orleans faced the same plight a night earlier, but overcame the absences to beat the Rockets 121-116 in Houston.

Holiday scored 22 points, Kenrich Williams added 21, Darius Miller had 15 and Jahlil Okafor 14 to lead the Pelicans, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

The Nuggets, who rallied from a 25-point deficit to win at Memphis on Monday, led for most of the game.

New Orleans led by three points at halftime, but Denver scored the first 10 points of the third quarter.

Solomon Hill’s basket gave the Pelicans their first points four minutes into the quarter, and Miller made back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 71-66.

Gary Harris answered with back-to-back 3-pointers for the Nuggets, who took an 86-75 lead after three quarters.

New Orleans began the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run as Williams’ 3-pointer cut Denver’s lead to 88-86.

The Pelicans got within two points twice more, but Beasley scored five points to help Denver open a 100-93 lead.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Ian Clark and Holiday pulled New Orleans within 100-99 with 1:33 left.

But the Nuggets turned to Jokic, who made consecutive baskets for a 104-99 lead with 42 seconds left, and New Orleans did not score again.

The Nuggets scored the first seven points of the game before settling for a 29-26 lead after the first quarter.

The score was tied five times in the second quarter before the Pelicans took a 56-53 halftime lead.

Celtics 126, Hornets 94

Terry Rozier filled in for injured Kyrie Irving and had 17 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, and Boston remained hot with an easy victory over visiting Charlotte.

The Celtics took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 35-16 to push a four-point halftime lead to 23. They went on to lead by as many as 35 points in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics have won seven of their past eight games. They are also now 24-4 over the past two seasons when playing without Irving, who missed his third game in the past week with a strained left hip. Kemba Walker paced the Hornets with 21 points.

Timberwolves 99, Grizzlies 97 (OT)

Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 20-foot jump shot at the overtime buzzer, and Minnesota pulled off a victory in Minneapolis, sending Memphis to their eighth consecutive road defeat.

Towns had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points and handed out a career-high 12 assists for the Timberwolves. Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins missed a 21-foot jumper with three seconds remaining in overtime. Towns grabbed the rebound on the wing and got off his game-winning shot just before time expired.

Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 26 points and eight assists.

Mavericks 114, Knicks 90

Dennis Smith Jr. finished with a triple-double, and Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 14 points in his possible finale at Madison Square Garden as visiting Dallas pulled away for a win over New York.

The Mavericks have won three of four. The Knicks have lost 11 straight, 19 of 20 and 24 of 26. New York (10-40) has the worst record in the NBA.

Smith collected 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Harrison Barnes led all scorers with 19 points while Wesley Matthews added 17 points and rookie sensation Luka Doncic had 16 points and eight rebounds. Kevin Knox topped New York with 17 points.

Bulls 105, Heat 89

Bobby Portis scored a season-high 26 points to lead Chicago to a victory at Miami.

Wayne Selden finished with 20 points while Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn scored 14 points each for the Bulls, who snapped a four-game losing streak and won their second in the past 16. Robin Lopez was Chicago’s fifth double-figure scorer with 13 points, and Markkanen grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Tyler Johnson scored 15 points for the Heat, whose two-game winning streak ended.

Wizards 107, Pacers 89

Bradley Beal scored 25 points, Jeff Green added 23, and Washington routed visiting Indiana.

Chasson Randle added 13 points for the Wizards, who had lost two straight. Jordan McRae and Trevor Ariza contributed 12 points apiece.

Thaddeus Young led six Pacers in double figures with 13 points. The 89 points were a season low for Indiana, who fell to 0-3 since losing Victor Oladipo to a season-ending quadriceps injury. The Pacers have dropped three games in a row for the first time this season.

Kings 135, Hawks 113

Marvin Bagley III scored nine of his 17 points in the second quarter, helping Sacramento roll past visiting Atlanta.

The win allowed the Kings to sweep the two-game season series from the Hawks for the first time since 2006. Sacramento put up an opponents’ season high in a 146-115 romp at Atlanta in November. The Kings’ total Wednesday was the sixth-most points allowed by the Hawks this season.

Bagley, Harry Giles III (team-high 20 points), Bogdan Bogdanovic (16) and Yogi Ferrell (11) all scored in double figures off the bench for the Kings, who outscored the Hawks 80-49 in reserve points. Hawks rookie Trae Young won his individual duel with Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, outscoring his rival 23-9 and out-assisting him 8-7.

Trail Blazers 

132, Jazz 105

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 66 points as Portland dismantled Utah for their eighth straight home victory.

Lillard collected 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and McCollum scored 30 points for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 33 points.

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points for Utah, which had won nine of its previous 10 outings. Jazz’s Rudy Gobert added 15 points and nine rebounds.

AMMAN — Jordan is sending its top Taekwondo fighters to the UAE this weekend to compete at the Fujairah International Championship from February 1-3, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service. 

It will be the team’s first participation of 2019 with head coach Faris Al Assaf choosing a squad of eight fighters to travel along with coaches Nabil Talal and Loai Al Mrayat.

With a little over 18 months until the 2020 Olympic Games, every tournament is vital for qualification points and the squad has intensified its training at the Olympic Preparation Centre in Amman. “Every fight counts now as we look to secure as many ranking points as possible so we expect big things from our fighters this weekend in Fujairah,” said Al Assaf.

The squad blends proven experience with the best rising talent in the Kingdom. The men’s squad has Zaid Mustafa, Zaid Al Halawani (-58kg), Ruslan Labzo (-63kg), Ahmed Abu Ghaush (-73kg), Anas al Sadeq (-87kg), while the women’s squad includes Luna Abu Aisha (-53kg), Natali Al-Humaidi (-62kg) and Juliana AlSadiq (-67kg). 

ABU DHABI — Continental superpower Japan will be out to secure a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title when they takes on a young Qatar side building towards the 2022 World Cup in what should be a tight final on Friday.

The Samurai Blue may have the Asian Cup pedigree, but it are a work in progress and stuttered through their early matches in the United Arab Emirates before exploding into life with a ruthless 3-0 humbling of heavyweights Iran in the semifinals.

Qatar had the easier route through the last four against the host, but showed huge character in the face of a hostile crowd to run out 4-0 winners and reach a continental title-decider for the first time.

Felix Sanchez's Qatar side has the leading marksman in the tournament in Almoez Ali, who scored his eighth goal against the UAE to match Ali Daei's 1996 record, and go into the final having won all six matches without conceding a single goal.

Japan striker Yuya Osako, who scored two goals in an outstanding performance against Iran, will certainly test the Qatar defensive line at Zayed Sports City but it will be bolstered by the return from suspension of Bassam Al Rawri.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu took over the Japan squad after last year's run to the last 16 at the World Cup and the control they showed in beating Iran was testimony to his rebuilding work.

As much as Osako and fellow forward Takumi Minamino impressed, it was the work in central defence of experienced captain Maya Yoshida and 20-year-old Takehiro Tomiyasu that laid the foundation for the win.

The pair held firm in the face of a barrage of long balls hoofed up to the powerful Iran forward line and will hope to similarly shepherd the more subtly skilled Qatari attackers Akram Afif and Ali on Friday.

Ali, captain Hassan Al Haydos and Hamid Ismail braved a more literal barrage of missiles from the irate UAE fans as they celebrated semifinal goals on Tuesday and the composure they showed should hold them in good stead against Japan. 

The Qataris, many of whom have been coached by Spaniard Sanchez up through the age groups from when they were nine years old, have shown a great sense of tactical cohesion and team unity throughout the tournament. 

While their ultimate goal will be to avoid humiliation when Qatar becomes the first Gulf nation to host the World Cup in three years' time, you get the sense that the players are on something of a mission in the UAE.

Their fans have been unable to travel across the Gulf to support the team because of the current political rift between Qatar and the UAE and the players appear determined to take a first major international trophy home to them.

With few Japanese fans having made the trip and the locals not being too well-disposed towards the Qataris at the moment, there might not be much of a crowd to see them do it if they can prevent Japan from lifting the cup for a fifth time.

PRAGUE — Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova hailed the end of her Grand Slam bad luck — and of a two-year transition following a knife attack that almost ended her career.

Having played only two Grand Slam quarter-finals since her Wimbledon triumph in 2014, Kvitova joked last year that she might as well quit playing at the top four events.

This year’s Australian Open offered a different picture of the left-handed Czech, who did not lose a single set on her way to the final in which she lost to Japan’s Naomi Osaka in three sets on Saturday.

“I’m glad it was only a joke, that it didn’t happen,” the 28-year-old, who also won Wimbledon in 2011, told reporters in Prague.

“I guess it’s a compensation for last year which wasn’t the best, when it comes to Grand Slams,” added Kvitova, who in 2018 reached the last-32 phase at the French and US Open, bowing out of the Australian Open and Wimbledon at the first hurdle.

“I wasn’t too happy after the loss but now the positive things prevail,” said the new world number two.

“I felt very well throughout those three weeks I played in Australia.”

Kvitova started the year poorly at Brisbane, where she lost in the last 16, but she took the top honours at Sydney a week later — at a tournament where she initially was not expecting to play.

‘Chequered flag’

Besides the on-court battles, Kvitova is fighting memories of an attack at her Czech home by a knife-wielding burglar in December 2016, which left deep scars on her left hand.

She identified the man, and is willing to give her testimony in court in early February, on the condition she does not meet the suspect.

“Petra takes this as an inevitable thing. She knows it’s necessary to put an end to the whole affair,” her spokesman, Karel Tejkal, told reporters.

Kvitova herself declined to speak about the attack that required a complicated surgery and saw her sink from sixth to 16th in the world.

“Such questions make me a bit angry but I can’t do anything about it. But it will be over some day.”

“I guess this trophy is a chequered flag on those two years,” Kvitova said, looking at the silver plate she won at Melbourne.

One of those to ask her was former World No. 1 Jim Courier — on court, following her quarter-final win against the home crowd’s favourite Ashleigh Barty.

“I suppose he didn’t want to make me cry —but he did,” Kvitova said.

“The interview was pretty tough — but he’s a nice guy.”

Nice messages 

Sympathy poured in from the Australian audience and from fellow players.

“Simona Halep sent me three nice messages — after the Sydney win, after the quarter-final with Ashleigh Barty and after the final,” said Kvitova.

“It’s great to have such good relationships even when you’re at the top of the rankings.”

If Kvitova had won at Melbourne, she would have replaced Halep as the World No. 1 — an honour that went to Osaka instead.

“We didn’t talk about the rankings with Simona,” chuckled Kvitova, adding it was not her top priority.

“I’m trying to improve as the games go and I think the rankings will reflect that,” she said.

Next, the “Czech Lioness” faces a defence of last year’s titles from St Petersburg this week, and Doha a fortnight later.

“I’ll enjoy St Petersburg, I’m travelling with my friend. It’s a wonderful tournament and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

Asked if she was concerned about her health, which has often been an issue in the past, she said: “I know it will be cold at St Petersburg but I’ll wear a winter jacket and a woollen cap!”

Paul George scored 36 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-112 home win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.

The Thunder led by as many as 19 in the second half, but the Bucks cut the lead to seven with nine consecutive points — all on 3-pointers — late in the third quarter before briefly cutting the lead to six.

But then George, who scored 21 points in the first half, sank a 3-pointer in the final minute to help cool off Milwaukee’s run. Dennis Schroder followed with another long 3-pointer to give the Thunder a double-digit lead going into the fourth.

George hit a season-high eight 3-pointers as Oklahoma City hit 16 from behind the arc.

The Thunder have won five consecutive games, sweeping their three-game homestand that also included wins over New Orleans and Portland.

Russell Westbrook had a triple-double in all three games of the homestand, finishing with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Six Thunder players scored in double figures.

Oklahoma City were just 14 of 25 from the free-throw line.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for Milwaukee, who was playing the first of five consecutive games away from home.

Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams was knocked out of the game with a right ankle sprain near the end of the first quarter. Adams went to the locker room but returned with just less than three minutes remaining before half.

After halftime, with Oklahoma City’s defence struggling as Milwaukee adjusted, Adams helped keep the Thunder ahead, scoring 10 points in the first four-plus minutes of the third quarter.

The Thunder made life miserable for Giannis Antetokounmpo early, as the All-Star missed all six of his first-half field goals, scoring just three points before intermission, all at the free-throw line.

But Antetokounmpo scored 24 second-half points to lead Milwaukee with 27. Khris Middleton added 22. Antetokounmpo also had 18 rebounds.

The Bucks jumped out to a big lead early, scoring the game’s initial eight points over the first two-plus minutes. From there, though, the Thunder outscored Milwaukee 31-17 over the last 9:27 of the quarter to take control.

Raptors 123, 

Mavericks 120

Toronto drained 17 3-pointers and Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points, offsetting a triple-double by rookie sensation Luka Doncic in defeating host Dallas.

The Raptors salvaged the final game of their three-game road trip, while Dallas could not cap their three-game home stand with a third consecutive win.

Doncic, finished with a career-best 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season. At 19, Doncic became the first teenager in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double. LeBron James had been the youngest at age 20 years, 100 days, in 2005.

Rockets 103, Magic 93

James Harden sank his first 3-pointer of the second half with 75 seconds left and host Houston finished off a comeback win against Orlando.

Harden finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. It was his 23rd consecutive game with 30-plus points. Houston’s Chris Paul had 12 points and six assists in his return from a 17-game absence with a hamstring injury.

Aaron Gordon (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (19 points, 17 rebounds) posted double-doubles for Orlando, who also got 18 points from Evan Fournier and 15 off the bench from Terrence Ross.

Clippers 122, Kings 108

Montrezl Harrell scored 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting off the bench and Tobias Harris added 18 points as Los Angeles returned home and trounced visiting Sacramento.

Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points and Patrick Beverley added 16 as the Clippers got off to a hot start by making six of their first seven 3-point attempts, while ending a four-game home losing streak. Los Angeles was 3-1 on a just-completed cross-country road swing.

De’Aaron Fox scored 21 points for the Kings, who displayed their typical pattern of starting slow before rallying late, but could not overcome a deficit that was as large as 25 points in the first half. The Kings ended a six-game road trip with a 2-4 record.

Jazz 125, 

Timberwolves 111

Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and dished out five assists to lead Utah past host Minnesota.

Ricky Rubio added 18 points and eight assists and Rudy Gobert chipped in 17 points and three blocks. Seven players scored in double figures for Utah, which beat the Timberwolves for the second time in three days. The Jazz shot 46 of 86 (53.5 per cent) from the field.

Andrew Wiggins scored 35 points to lead Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and Jerryd Bayless chipped in 19 for the Timberwolves.

Spurs 132, Wizards 119

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points to lead seven San Antonio players in double figures in defeating visiting Washington.

Davis Bertans hit 5 of 8 3-pointers and added 21 points for the Spurs. Derrick White and Bryn Forbes hit for 16 points apiece, Patty Mills scored 15, and Marco Belinelli and Rudy Gay added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Bradley Beal and Tomas Satoransky led the Wizards with 21 points each, while Trevor Ariza scored 20, Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant hit for 15 each, Otto Porter Jr. added 13 points and Chasson Randle chipped in 11 points.

Lakers 116, Suns 102

Ivica Zubac had 24 points and a career-high 16 rebounds and host Los Angeles avoided a season-long four-game losing streak by sending Phoenix to their eighth straight loss.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also scored 24 points, Brandon Ingram finished with 22 points, and Lance Stephenson scored 10 of his 17 points during a key fourth-quarter stretch for the Lakers.

Devin Booker scored 21 points to lead the Suns, Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 off the bench and Mikal Bridges had 16 points.

Cavaliers 104, Bulls 101

Alec Burks scored 18 points, including a putback jumper with 17 seconds left, to lift Cleveland to a road win over Chicago.

The victory snapped the Cavaliers’ six-game losing streak and was just their second win in 20 games. The Bulls have now dropped three straight and 13 of their last 14 games. The game stayed tight throughout, with 23 lead changes and 14 ties.

Jordan Clarkson also had 18 points for Cleveland, making 8 of 11 shots from the field, while Cedi Osman scored 17. Ante Zizic had a career-high 14 rebounds. Chicago were led by Lauri Markkanen’s 21 points and 15 rebounds. Zach LaVine added 17 points and 12 boards.

Heat 106, Knicks 97

Wayne Ellington scored 10 of his team-high 19 points in the final 2:16 as Miami held off host New York, who has lost nine straight and 17 of 18.

Hassan Whiteside had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Dwyane Wade added 15 points and 10 assists for Miami. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points for the Knicks and was the only starter with more than six points.

Trey Burke (16 points), Damyean Dotson (14), Mario Hezonja (12) and Allonzo Trier (11) all reached double figures off the bench.

MELBOURNE — Novak Djokovic claimed a record seventh Australian Open crown on Sunday as he demolished Rafa Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in his most dominant Grand Slam win in his long rivalry with the Spaniard.

The peerless Serb broke Nadal five times at a stunned Rod Laver Arena, while conceding only a single break point to clinch his 15th Grand Slam title and third in succession after winning Wimbledon and the US Open.

The pair’s 53rd Tour clash and eighth in a major final was not the marathon battle it was expected to be, as top seed Djokovic bulldozed through the first two sets with machine-like precision and wrapped up the match in just over two hours.

Sealing the win on the second championship point when a desperate Nadal fired a backhand long, Djokovic kneeled on the blue hardcourt and shook his fists at the sky, letting out a roar of triumph.

“I am just trying to contemplate on the journey in the last 12 months,” Djokovic said beaming at the trophy ceremony.

“Like Rafa, I had surgery exactly 12 months ago, and to be standing now here in front of you today, and managing to win this title and managing to win three out of four slams is amazing. I am speechless.”

Having moved past Roger Federer and Roy Emerson’s six titles to take sole ownership of the record, Djokovic took back his mantle as master of Melbourne Park.

On the strength of his annihilation of Nadal, a 17-times Grand Slam champion who had entered the final in outrageous form, Djokovic’s Australian haul appears set to grow in coming years.

Blitzed from the start, Nadal could only congratulate an opponent that condemned him to his worst Grand Slam defeat in their long rivalry.

“It has been very emotional two weeks. Even if tonight was not my best, I had somebody that played much better,” said the 32-year-old.

“I am going to keep fighting hard, going to keep working hard to be a better player every time, for the good things in life.”

It was a greater humbling than even the quarter-finals of the 2015 French Open, when Djokovic thrashed Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to end the Spaniard’s six-year winning streak at his favourite claycourt tournament.

A centre court crowd that remembered the titanic 2012 decider, when Djokovic beat Nadal in a record five hours and 53 minutes, was quickly subdued by the Serb’s total dominance.

Nadal was broken in his first service game as he fired wild and wide when presented with an open court.

It was clear not everything was right with the Spaniard when at 4-2, he swung a forehand and completely missed the ball.

Eight games in, Djokovic had, yet, to lose a point on serve.

He finally conceded one when serving for the set at 5-3 but it was the only point he gave up before closing it out when Nadal found the net.

Nadal’s remodelled serve was quickly under siege, and he punched his racket strings in frustration after giving up two break points in the fourth game.

The crafty Serb floated a drop-shot over and Nadal’s scrambling retrieval clipped the net cord to give Djokovic ample time to swoop in and collect it.

The Serb threw a fiery glance at his players’ box after breaking to 5-2 and fired two aces to take a two-set lead.

All business, he then marched back to his seat in silence, without so much as a quiet fist-pump.

Nadal battled on but every piece of magic he produced was outdone by the Serbian sorcerer.

He scrambled in to feather a delicate, sliced drop-shot over the net, raising premature cheers from the crowd as Djokovic swooped on it and sent an even cleverer drop-shot cross-court.

After further baseline punishment, he broke Nadal for the fourth time, pulling him around like a puppet-master before tripping him up with an irretrievable drop-shot.

Nadal finally prised a break point in the fifth game of the third but it quickly disappeared in a maelstrom of power hitting.

Djokovic knuckled down to complete an astonishing rout.

Firing a forehand down the line to bring up two championship points, he converted the second to take back the Melbourne throne amid a thunderous chorus of Serbian cheers.