Melbourne: Novak Djokovic admitted he was on the brink of defeat with dizziness and dehydration before coming through a five-set thriller against Dominic Thiem to clinch a record eighth Australian Open crown and return to world number one on Sunday. The indomitable Serb stretched his unbeaten streak this season to 13 but he had to rally from two sets to one down to beat the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a nearly four-hour marathon. It was his 17th Grand Slam title, moving him within two of Rafael Nadal and three of Roger Federer on the all-time list.

"Definitely one of the toughest finals I have ever had in Australia," said Djokovic, who pulled alongside Nadal (12 at the French Open) and Federer (eight at Wimbledon) as only the third man ever to win eight or more titles at the same Slam. "I was on the brink of losing the match, I didn't feel that good. Dominic was dominating from the baseline... then I regained the strength to pull through in the fourth set, and in the fifth it was anyone's game." Victory ensured Djokovic will once again be world number one when the new rankings are released on Monday, displacing Nadal.