MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Andy Murray arrived at the Australian Open fully prepared to become a father before becoming champion.
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Jamie Murray was runner-up at the last two majors – the 2015 U.S. Open and Wimbledon – with a different partner, John Peers.
Milos Raonic, left, who was hampered by leg problems, congratulates Andy Murray, who advanced to meet Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final after a five-set semifinal victory. I’m going to have to face one of the biggest rivals, but that’s what it takes. I should be happy about that.
An ailing Raonic, who sported a ideal 9-0 record this year after winning the Australian Open lead-in tournament in Brisbane, fell at the semifinal stage of a major for the second time after his run to the final four at Wimbledon in 2014.
Raonic needed a medical timeout and had his right hip and thigh area massaged by a trainer later in the fourth set.
Perfectly sane tennis players on losing streaks do it all the time, and so Andy Murray – of sound mind, if not always even temper – will do the same thing over again in Melbourne on Sunday. But his unforced error count over four hours hit 78, countered by 72 winners and just one break of Murray’s serve. Murray’s more than capable of doing that Sunday. “I have a very good shot on Sunday if I play my best tennis”.
“I couldn’t push off, I couldn’t get up to serve, and I couldn’t change direction”, Raonic told media members after the match. Arguably the last crucial moment of the match came with Murray serving down break point at 4-3. “Yes!” as he pumped his fist at the ground.
It was up to Murray to serve for the match but the Briton wavered, first double faulting and then blazing a pass long to offer up two break points.
“It is probably the most heartbroken I’ve felt on court but that’s what it is”, Raonic said. But of course I don’t underestimate him. “I don’t think that’s like myself to do, but sometimes it’s a little bit too much to keep in”. “They will be thinking and talking about the two Grand Slam finals Andy has beaten Novak in and won’t be thinking about the losses”.
“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. “I’m fit. I will try to win against her. That’s for sure”.
Jamie Murray believes he is at the pinnacle of his career after he won his first men’s doubles grand slam title with Brazilian Bruno Soares at the Australian Open.
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Unlike his quarter-final match against French Gael Monfils, played under the roof of Rod Laver Stadium is under a starry sky that faced Raonic Murray. “I was going to fight and see what I could make of it, but it wasn’t looking that great”. “We’ve struggled through heat and rain this year and it’s been a tough tournament”. The men’s doubles decider follows the women’s final between six-time champion Serena Williams and No. 7-seeded Angelique Kerber. But despite Djokovic’s near-perfect form and his head-to-head history against Murray, the Scot is confident in his ability to win his maiden title in Melbourne.
