RICKY’S PICK FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. MURRAY

Written by: Staff on 29th January 2016

RICKY'S PICK FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. MURRAY

epa05131527 General view of fans on Rod Laver Arena during the match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Roger Federer of Switzerland in their semi final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2016. EPA/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be facing each other for the 31st time in their careers when they square off in a rematch of the 2015 Australian Open final on Sunday night. Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 21-9 after taking 10 of their last 11 encounters. They most recently collided in the Paris Masters title match last fall, when the Serb coasted 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic is 4-0 lifetime against Murray at the annual first Grand Slam. The world No. 1 prevailed 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0 last year on the heels of wins in 2011 (straight sets in the final), 2012 (five sets in the semis), and 2013 (four sets in the final).

Murray will get another crack at his heavily-favored opponent, but not before surviving a five-set semifinal scare on Friday. The world No. 2 trailed Milos Raonic two sets to one before recovering to advance 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 in four hours and three minutes. Murray preceded that result with oustings of Alexander Zverev, Sam Groth, Joao Sousa, Bernard Tomic, and David Ferrer, while dropping second sets to Sousa and Ferrer en route.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarter final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2016. EPA/LYNN BO BO

Djokovic also endured one five-setter en route to championship Sunday, and he did so in far more shocking fashion than Murray. The top seed scattered a laughable 100 unforced errors but managed to persevere through a third-round test against Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Djokovic also sports wins over Hyeon Chung, Quentin Halys, Andreas Seppi, Kei Nishikori, and Roger Federer. The 10-time slam champion was especially ruthless in sets one and two of his 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 decision against Federer on Thursday night.

“Against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I’ve played against him overall I think throughout my career,” Djokovic assessed. “I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was…yeah…I think a different level than from before.”

A different level is exactly what Djokovic has been on from everyone other player on tour over the last year and a half. He went 82-6 in 2015, reached the final of all but one tournament, and captured 11 titles–including three slams. So far this year Djokovic is 11-0 with a title in Doha to his credit.

Andy Murray of the United Kingdom reacts during his quarter final match against David Ferrer of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2016. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY

Still, Murray insists he has a chance in this one.

“The most important thing for me is to sustain my level for long enough, not just for one set here or there, a few games here or there,” the underdog explained. “I need to do it for a very long period if I want to get the win. That’s my challenge. I’ve obviously played very good tennis here. I’ve given myself many opportunities, [reaching] the finals (four times); seven straight quarterfinals, as well. I have a very good shot on Sunday if I play my best tennis.”

But can he play his best tennis for what will likely be–if he is going to prevail–five sets? In Djokovic’s two major victories over the Scot in 2015, he won the deciding sets 6-0 (Australian Open final) and 6-1 (French Open semis). Djokovic also swept Murray 6-0 in the third set of their Miami title match. Look for Murray to once again stay competitive early before Djokovic powers his way to a sixth Aussie Open title.

Pick: Djokovic in 4

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Editors Note: The staff here all agreed with Ricky’s pick except for Lovey who says it’s gonna be Andy Murray. She hasn’t said in how many sets. But she is feeling the vibe….

Also we’ve gotta applaud Ricky and his 24 hour days. He has decided next year he will be covering and reporting from Melbourne.

Please follow Ricky Dimon and his great observations on his tennis website

“The Grandstand”

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Djokovic vs. Murray, Melbourne tennis, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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LetsG0Global says:

January 29, 2016 at 9:43 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@Dimonator’s Pick For The #AustralianOpen #Tennis Final: #DjokovicvsMurray
https://t.co/fDngnITp5I #AusOpenFinal https:…