Highlights on BBC Two from 14:05 GMT.
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Novak Djokovic admits it’s impossible to ignore the high stakes at play as he sets himself for a fourth Australian Open final showdown with Andy Murray.
Djokovic was flawless early in his victory against Federer, just as he was throughout in his win over Rafael Nadal in the Doha final.
The world No. 2 came from behind twice to topple the rangy Canadian, who was troubled by a leg injury and finally capitulated after playing majestically for most of the 4hr 3min contest at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena. BBC tennis commentators Andrew Castle and John Lloyd provide a few pointers.
Completing victory after two hours and eight minutes, Kerber lay outstretched in disbelief, having sealed one of the biggest shocks in tennis history.
Djokovic, who is aiming to join Roy Emerson on a record six Australian Open titles when he faces Andy Murray on Sunday, is 56-6 in Melbourne. “For us to be in the Slam final at the same time is incredible”. “So I have to be proud of that achievement”.
World number two Murray also lost to Roger Federer in the 2010 final and is looking to become the first man to lose four finals at a grand slam before finally winning the title.
“If you play a quick match on the Friday, it doesn’t really make a huge difference”, said Murray.
The odds seem stacked against Murray.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated Murray in the 2015, 2013, and 2011 Australian Open final. “So at least that’s something that was I think really important for him to be able to win against Novak again since the Wimbledon final and he did that in August so we’ll see”.
His coach, Amélie Mauresmo, is a believer, obviously. But the Serb insisted he would not underestimate the task of beating the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“He has a good attitude and other people will have written him off and Andy will like that”.
Murray’s string of recent defeats against Djokovic do not tell the whole story.
“I need to keep to my game plan very well, not have any lapses in concentration and just play the best I can”, he said.
For now, Murray is planning on playing. “I wasn’t allowing him to dictate as numerous points as I was at the beginning”. “I don’t know why you’re here taking photos”.
The odds of Murray winning in straight sets (16/1) compared to Djokovic (11/10) only serve to emphasise how great a gulf the Brit has to cover.
Murray’s older brother Jamie also reached the Australian Open final in doubles. Murray saved them both and blasted a serve down the middle to level the match.
ANDY MURRAY took another step to Grand Slam glory yesterday – but his soon-to-be-born first child might have other ideas.
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“I started to get a slightly better read on his serve later on and that was the key”, Murray, beaten by Djokovic in last year’s final, said in a courtside interview. But I executed perfectly, and after those first two sets it was a battle in the end. For the first time in his long-running rivalry with Federer, which includes 45 matches and dates back a decade to 2006, he has edged to the front with 23 wins to 22.
