Djokovic defends Australian Open dynasty against Medvedev rampage

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 18, 2021 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates during his semi final match against Russia's Aslan Karatsev REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A very different Australian Open comes to a familiar end on Sunday as Novak Djokovic looks to thwart another challenge to his Melbourne Park dynasty from the latest Grand Slam aspirant in Daniil Medvedev.

The tournament has charted a rocky path through the COVID-19 pandemic and a snap five-day lockdown due to a local outbreak robbed it of much of its vitality.