Novak Djokovic struggled with Dominic Thiem’s intense pressure to reassert his supremacy on Sunday at the Australian Open, winning a historic eighth title and thus taking the number one ranking in the world.

In a near-four-hour marathon, the indomitable Serb extended his unbeaten streak this season to 13 by coming from two sets to one down and beating the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

It was his 17th Grand Slam title, moving him on the all-time list in two by Rafael Nadal and three by Roger Federer.