Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray ATP Australian Open 2013
Match Details
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray
Date : 27-01-2013
Match Details
Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray
Date : 27-01-2013
Game Start - 09:30
Men's Singles Final ::ATP Australian Open 2013
Novak Djokovic is bidding for his fourth career Melbourne title--all in the last six years--on Sunday. Standing in his way of the trophy is familiar foe and 2011 final opponent Andy Murray.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be squaring off for the 18th time in their careers when they collide in the Australian Open title match on Sunday night.
They have faced each other on three previous occasions at Grand Slams, including twice at the Australian Open and once in the Australian Open final. Djokovic dominated the 2011 title match 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 and he survived an epic semifinal last season by a 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5 decision. Murray answered with a 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 triumph to win the U.S. Open.
Overall, Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 10-7--including 8-6 on hard courts. The tide swung back in his favor last fall when the Serb prevailed over Murray in Shanghai and at the World Tour Finals.
Djokovic and Murray were unquestionably 2012's two best players post-Wimbledon (where Roger Federer beat Murray for the championship) and the trend has continued Down Under. The world No. 1 has been especially impressive. He has dropped only three sets this fortnight, two at the hands of an on-fire Stanislas Wawrinka in a memorable fourth-round showdown. Djokovic also dismissed Paul-Henri Mathieu, Ryan Harrison, Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych (in four), and David Ferrer (6-2, 6-2, 6-1).
Both men have benefited from favorable draws, especially Murray in the early rounds. The third-ranked Scot rolled over Robin Haase, Joao Sousa, Ricardas Berankis, Gilles Simon, and Jeremy Chardy en route to the semifinals. In a Friday night showdown, Murray outlasted Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2.
"The task isn't any easier," Murray said afterward, referring to Djokovic. "This has been his best court for sure. So I'm aware of how tough it will be to win the match.... Just try your best to be in the best possible condition for Sunday. Realistically, you're probably not going to feel perfect because of how the match went tonight, but it's not to say you can't recover well enough to play your best tennis."
Melbourne's No. 3 seed needed exactly four hours to get past Federer, whereas Djokovic decimated Ferrer in a mere one hour and 29 minutes. That won't help Murray, but by no means does it seal a losing fate. We have seen the top four players in the world make far more impressive recoveries, many of which have come at the Australian Open.
Based mostly on Djokovic's dominant form, look for the defending champ to get the job done in four competitive sets.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be squaring off for the 18th time in their careers when they collide in the Australian Open title match on Sunday night.
They have faced each other on three previous occasions at Grand Slams, including twice at the Australian Open and once in the Australian Open final. Djokovic dominated the 2011 title match 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 and he survived an epic semifinal last season by a 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5 decision. Murray answered with a 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 triumph to win the U.S. Open.
Overall, Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 10-7--including 8-6 on hard courts. The tide swung back in his favor last fall when the Serb prevailed over Murray in Shanghai and at the World Tour Finals.
Djokovic and Murray were unquestionably 2012's two best players post-Wimbledon (where Roger Federer beat Murray for the championship) and the trend has continued Down Under. The world No. 1 has been especially impressive. He has dropped only three sets this fortnight, two at the hands of an on-fire Stanislas Wawrinka in a memorable fourth-round showdown. Djokovic also dismissed Paul-Henri Mathieu, Ryan Harrison, Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych (in four), and David Ferrer (6-2, 6-2, 6-1).
Both men have benefited from favorable draws, especially Murray in the early rounds. The third-ranked Scot rolled over Robin Haase, Joao Sousa, Ricardas Berankis, Gilles Simon, and Jeremy Chardy en route to the semifinals. In a Friday night showdown, Murray outlasted Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2.
"The task isn't any easier," Murray said afterward, referring to Djokovic. "This has been his best court for sure. So I'm aware of how tough it will be to win the match.... Just try your best to be in the best possible condition for Sunday. Realistically, you're probably not going to feel perfect because of how the match went tonight, but it's not to say you can't recover well enough to play your best tennis."
Melbourne's No. 3 seed needed exactly four hours to get past Federer, whereas Djokovic decimated Ferrer in a mere one hour and 29 minutes. That won't help Murray, but by no means does it seal a losing fate. We have seen the top four players in the world make far more impressive recoveries, many of which have come at the Australian Open.
Based mostly on Djokovic's dominant form, look for the defending champ to get the job done in four competitive sets.