Andy Murray through to Djokovic showdown

On January 25, 2013

Andy Murray will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open after outlasting Roger Federer 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-2 in a classic semi-final encounter.

Murray looked to be on course for victory in four sets in Melbourne when he served for the match at 6-5 in the fourth, but he was eventually pushed all the way by the 17-time Grand Slam champion before coming out on top.

I hope it is a painful match because that means it will be a good one.

Andy Murray

Murray is now 6/4 to win his first Australian Open title by defeating Djokovic in the final and is 6/1 to win in five sets, with Djokovic 4/7 to emerge victorious and become the first man in the open era to win the Australian Open title in three consecutive years.

Djokovic holds a 10-7 winning record against Murray over their previous 17 meetings, with the Serb having come out on top in their two previous meetings at the Australian Open.

Twelve months ago Djokovic won a bruising semi-final 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-1 7-5, before beating Rafael Nadal in the final and in 2011 the current world number one won a one-sided final against Murray 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Murray, however, will be boosted by the knowledge that he prevailed in another five-set classic to win his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, having also beaten Djokovic on his way to Olympic gold in London.

Murray is expecting another battle royal against Djokovic, saying after edging past Federer: “Every time we play each other it is a physical match.

“He is an unbelievable mover, so I will need to be ready for the pain, but I hope it is a painful match because that means it will be a good one.”

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