Djokovic Dazzles As Murray Is Defeated

It was his best chance yet.

Andy Murray had seen the big guns from his half of the draw drop by the way-side while he progressed. Then defending champion Roger Federer fell in the semi-final. The opportunity to take his first Grand Slam title was there for all to see. But could he take it?

The opening salvo was one of brutally powerful ground strokes. Each game was hotly contested but it stayed on serve, both Novak Djokovic and Murray gave no inch. At 5-4 down Murray had to serve to stay in the 1^st set, but Djokovic clicked up a gear. At 15-30 Murray hit what would normally have been several winners only to see the Serb return them with venom and take the point after a 38 stroke rally. He was then able to get the first break of the day and take the 1^st set.

After that moment Murray’s head seemed to drop, while Djokovic continued with the sort of play that had so comprehensively dismissed every one of his previous opponents. The Serb raced to a 5-0 lead and Murray was a broken man. A small revival at the end of the 2^nd set seemed to reignite Murray’s competitive fire, and despite raising his game in the 3^rd set Djokovic was simply too much for him, taking his second Australian Open title 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

For Murray it was a horrible case of déjà vu. Having lost a US Open final and last years Australian Open final to Roger Federer he would have gained confidence from not seeing the swizz standing on the opposite side of the net. Instead he was matched up against a brick wall.

Djokovic’s movement and his ability to turn defence into attack in an instant was the real difference in this match. The Serb was a blur as he ran down shots that would normally be winners and frustrated Murray in the early going, forcing the Briton to push the boundaries and play more and more quality shots.

It was a tempo and a level that Murray simply couldn’t keep up. Djokovic played with the kind of swagger and performance usually only seen from Rafael Nadal at the French Open throughout the tournament, dropping just one set in 2 weeks down under. It was play for which none had answers and could only question whether Djokovic had finally made the move up to consistently challenge Nadal and Federer, who had won 21 of the previous 23 Grand Slams between them.

As for Murray, he has a long flight home to reflect on another “almost” trip down-under. The worry is that despite 3 final appearances he is yet to win a set. And while he’s not collapsed or looked out of his depth in any he has been simply out-played, and the thought buzzing around his head must be: “Will I ever win?”.

While Federer is in the twilight of his career Nadal is just a year older than Murray and Djokovic is the same age as him. These guys are not going away any time soon and though Murray has shown he is capable of beating them elsewhere on the Tour when it comes to Grand Slams there is still a hurdle to jump.

Few doubt Murray has the talent to continue challenging for a long time, but something needs to change. His first serve percentage was in the low 50’s all day, giving Djokovic far too many opportunities. The Serb racked up 17 break points in the match and you simply cannot give even an average tour player that many chances.

During the post-match presentations and speeches both players were very complimentary of one another, with Djokovic saying: “Hopefully you will have another chance to win a Grand Slam trophy and, with your talent, I’m sure you will.”

Andy must be sick of hearing that by now.