Andy Murray’s opponent in the Australian Open final is now known. It’s a man he’s faced three times in the last five years with varying levels of success – Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic edged another five-set encounter with defending champion Stan Wawrinka, having not dropped a set on his way to the semi-final.
The four-time winner Djokovic was made to dig deep in the third year running that Djokovic and Wawrinka have gone the distance in Melbourne – although this contest lacked the quality and drama of their two previous encounters.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of Sunday’s Murray v Djokovic final.
The rivalry
Murray and world number one Djokovic, born just seven days apart, have faced each other 23 times in their professional careers – this will be their fifth meeting in a grand slam final.
They have won two each but Djokovic has come out on top each time they have met in Melbourne.
2011 Australian Open final
Djokovic won this encounter 6-4 6-2 6-3. Murray was looking to finally prove he could cut it in a grand slam final, but his awful record in major finals continued as he went down in straight sets to an inspired Djokovic.
The Serbian had began the season by winning 43 consecutive matches and ended it with three slam titles. It triggered a run of dismal form on tour for Murray, who lost his opening matches at three straight tournaments.
2012 Australian Open semi-final
Djokovic won the next match between the two 6-3 3-6 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 7-5. Murray had the perfect opportunity for revenge on Djokovic the following year in Melbourne, and he almost did it during an epic encounter that lasted four hours and 50 minutes.
Having just appointed Ivan Lendl as his coach, Murray fought back from losing the first set to win the next two, but defending champion Djokovic recovered to clinch victory and give Murray the unwanted tag of being the first man in the open era to be eliminated in semi-finals at four successive grand slams.
2012 London Olympics semi-final
Murray won 7-5 7-5 just a month after suffering a heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Roger Federer.
He enjoyed what was then his finest run on the grass of the All England Club, beating Djokovic to guarantee himself a medal at his home Olympics.
There was no doubt that the awesome crowd helped Murray on his way to the final, where he beat Federer to win gold – but we’re sure you don’t need reminding of that.
2012 US Open final
Murray won 7-6 (12/10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 ending Britain’s 76-year wait for a grand slam men’s singles champion after a victory that took four hours and 54 minutes to achieve.
Sinking to his knees and covering his mouth in disbelief at what he had achieved following four failed attempts to win a grand slam final, Murray said: “When I realised I had won, I was a little bit shocked, I was very relieved and I was very emotional,”
He’d recovered from letting a two-set lead slip away to win in five.
2013 Australian Open final
Djokovic won 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-2 bringing Murray back down to earth.
The Serbian showed typically high levels of mental strength to fight back from one set down to win his fourth title in Melbourne.
Murray was troubled throughout by a blister and was also thrown off guard by a feather that floated down onto the court, disrupting his serving pattern as Djokovic broke in the second set before clinching victory by winning the next two comfortably.
2013 Wimbledon final
Murray won 6-4 7-5 6-4 in a match that nobody will forget in a hurry.
The match that will define Murray’s career ended with one of the most dramatic games ever seen in a grand slam final. The Scot had fought back from a break down to win the second set and recovered from a similar deficit in the third to leave himself serving for victory.
He looked to have done it when he moved to 40-0 but Djokovic saved all three match points and had three break points of his own before finally netting a backhand on Murray’s fourth chance.
“Mentally, that last game will be the toughest game I’ll play in my career,” said Murray after he had finally consigned Fred Perry’s status as the last British man to win a Wimbledon singles title to history.
2014 US Open quarter-final
Djokovic won 7-6 (7/1) 6-7 (1/7) 6-2 6-4.
The world number one won all four of their matches last year as Murray struggled to regain form and fitness following back surgery.
It was all to play for after they shared the first two sets in New York, with Murray blasting forehands, but he let the momentum slip early in the third set and was never able to regain it as he faded physically.
2015 Australian Open final
Djokovic will be looking for his fourth Australian Open win in five years on Sunday, and Murray will be looking to get back on track against his old rival… expect a tense encounter.
Source: SNAPPA
