It was a familiar ending, a habitual champion winning once again. The second best player in the world could not topple him, and seemingly no-one can.
The Big Four is now the Big One.
Novak Djokovic's record-equalling sixth Australian Open title was his third consecutive Grand Slam and the 11th of his career, putting him alongside two of the sport's idols, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg.
A beaten Andy Murray, comfortably conquered in straight sets, smiled as he reached for the on-court microphone. "I feel like I've been here before," he quipped. Yet what to do about it?