Serbian fans delighted with Djokovic's triumph

By Zoran Milosavljevic

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic's Australian Open victory sparked big celebrations in his native Serbia on Sunday.

Fans began celebrating in the Serbian capital as soon as the 20-year-old Djokovic clinched his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne with a 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 defeat of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"We have spent many sleepless nights watching his march to the final, we missed classes for the daytime matches and it was absolutely worth it," said 19-year-old student Tijana Blaskic.

"We are going to celebrate in style now," she said.

Crammed into central Belgrade's Sport Cafe bar, which screened the match live in the early hours of Sunday, Tijana and dozens of other Djokovic fans cheered wildly every time the flamboyant Serbian got the better of his plucky rival.

Jan Cristopher, a 26-year-old Frenchman, stood out as the solitary Tsonga supporter, though he praised Djokovic's performance.

"It was an incredible match and although I am sad Tsonga lost I am also happy for Djokovic because I really admire his tennis and his fighting spirit," he said.

"It was a great atmosphere in here. I was outnumbered of course but I didn't mind," he said, adding jokingly: "The outcome will make my relationship with my Serbian girlfriend very difficult, at least today."