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Big Two make Australian Open Final 2013


As I predicted in my last post it would be a Murray and Djokovic Final in Australia, also citing Murray's triumph over Federer in the semi (wish I had've put my money where my blog is).

There is no doubt in the tennis world that Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have played the best tennis in the past 6 months. Many predicted after Murray's breakthrough victory at Flushing Meadows that this was the dawn of tennis' new big rivalry.

Rafa and Roger have served up the greatest rivalry in tennis history that spans back to 2004. Having played 8 Grand Slam finals (Rafa leads 6-2) and winning 28 titles between them, makes it the greatest. The question is can Rafa or Federer make it to any more finals? The chances of them both making a final against each other seems even less likely. That's mainly due to the rise of Novak, and more recently Andy.
Could the greatest tennis rivalry ever be handing a baton to another of the greatest rivalries? The fact that this top four has existed has been amazing for tennis fans. The overlap years were remarkable, however it appears that it's moving to a Big Two. Rafa can come back and win but question marks exist on his injuries that plague him.

The Big Two stats:
Overall head-to-head: Djokovic leads 10-7
On hardcourts: Djokovic 8-6
In finals: Murray 4-3
In Grand Slams: Djokovic 2-1
In Australian Open: Djokovic 2-0
In Grand Slam finals: 1-1

It is interesting to note that Andy has a better record in final meetings. What makes these rivalries so interesting is hat numbers can go out the window. In my previous post in these two before the US Open the stats favoured Novak but I picked Andy to win as I had a 'feeling' he would.

Last year they met in the Australian Open (Novak won in 5 sets) and US Open (Murray won in 5 sets). So all even, right? What I found most interesting last year which was a glimpse into their rivalry for 2013 was in London at the ATP World Tour Finals. It was round robin match so shouldn't haven't been so important, but it was. Andy was in better form and showed that by taking set 1 6-4. Novak somehow got into Andy's head with some jesters to the crowd and taking away the focus from the tennis itself. He managed to win that very tight match in 3 sets even though Andy played the better tennis one might argue. The difference was in those match defining points, Novak has the ability to come through when it matters, no stat can show this.

To conclude I predict Novak in 4 sets, as I believe he is actually back to his best form. This time I will put my money where my blog is.
It's going to be another epic final, thanks guys for the entertainment you provide. Good luck!

Comments

  1. Rahul27 January 2013 at 15:01

    Thats 6 now. 6 titles! And if Nadal is not 100% by the time RG comes around, Nole might have his confidence given another boost if he takes the FO. The steamroll into Wimbly.

    Now cant wait to watch the Davis Cup next weekend. I want Canada and Serbia to win the first round matches. Canada will never have an easier time as they are lucky not to have to face Ferrer and Nadal. Best player is Almagro bur he should never be underestimated.

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