Andy Murray today lost the final of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic.

The Scot missed out in a first-set tie-break, then rallied in the second, but the Serbian proved too strong and wrapped up the title in four sets.

Murray left himself with a mountain to climb to claim a first Australian Open title after losing the opening set of his third final against Djokovic.

Four-time champion Djokovic was twice a break up in the opening set and served for it at 5-3, only for Murray to battle back and force a tie-break.

The Scot led 4-2 before serving a crucial double fault and a forehand volley which sailed just beyond the baseline allowed Djokovic to convert his first set point as Murray netted a backhand return after 72 minutes.

Both players had lost just two sets in reaching the final and the quality of tennis was high from the outset on Rod Laver Arena, where the roof was open after early morning rain had given way to a cloudy and breezy evening in Melbourne.

Murray had the first chance to break in the third game after reaching 0-40 with a forehand winner down the line, but Djokovic dug himself out of trouble and promptly broke in the next game courtesy of some sumptuous winners.

Djokovic held comfortably to move into a 4-1 lead but Murray was not about to let the set go without a fight and broke back, only to then lose his own serve again immediately and fall 5-3 behind.

Before attempting to serve for the set, Djokovic indicated he needed medical attention at the change of ends after scraping his thumb on the court in an earlier point and Murray took advantage of the Serbian's discomfort to make it three consecutive breaks.

Djokovic, who beat Murray in the final here in 2011 and 2013 and had won their last four matches, started the tie-break with a double fault but Murray repaid the favour at 4-2 and Djokovic gratefully took the opportunity to edge in front.

Murray was already looking to become the first man in the open era to win the title after losing three finals and has never beaten Djokovic after losing the first set.

Djokovic was struggling with his footwork and appeared to have injured his ankle in the first game of the second set, so much so that he made a signal to his box that could have been interpreted as meaning "It's over."

The 27-year-old was moving "like a newborn horse" according to TV commentator Jim Courier and Murray took advantage to break for a 2-0 lead, only to immediately lose his serve as he dumped a forehand into the net.

From looking in real trouble Djokovic suddenly sprang to life and, after holding serve, broke Murray to love and held serve again to make it four games in a row.

A double fault from Murray then made it 13 points lost in a row but he held serve to trail 3-4 before play was disrupted by two protesters jumping onto the court and others unfurling a banner which read 'australia open for refugees'.

The protesters were swiftly removed and security personnel surrounded the players, but the delay seemed to work in Murray's favour as he came out and broke serve to get back on level terms.

Djokovic had to save a set point at 4-5 and Murray three break points in the next game but eventually another tie-break was required and Murray raced into a 5-2 lead before taking it 7-4.

That made it one set all after two hours and 32 minutes and a test of stamina was now on the cards.

Djokovic won the longest grand slam final in history here in 2012, defeating Rafael Nadal in a match lasting five hours and 53 minutes, but again looked exhausted at the start of the third set.

Murray took advantage to break in the opening game but soon squandered the advantage as he appeared distracted by Djokovic's fluctuating physical condition, shouting, "Don't worry about him, he does it all the time," at his box.

Djokovic had Murray screaming at himself again when he fell 0-40 down on serve and although the Scot saved the first break point, a double fault on the second gifted Djokovic a 5-3 lead.

The world number one had previously wasted such chances but made no mistake this time, serving out to take the set after 39 minutes and a two sets to one lead.

The momentum was firmly with Djokovic and he broke serve in the opening game of the fourth set as Murray suddenly began to look seriously fatigued.

Djokovic sensed his chance and pounced on a weak Murray second serve to put away a backhand return winner for a second break and 3-0 lead.

A fifth Australian Open title was now firmly in the Serbian's hands - only Roy Emerson, with six, has won more - and a disheartened Murray lost his serve for the third time to trail 5-0.

And there was no way back for Murray as Djokovic served out to complete a rollercoaster 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 6-0 win in three hours and 39 minutes.