Iron-clad defence triumphed over all-out attack as Andy Murray overhauled Milos Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-2 yesterday to book another Australian Open final against Melbourne Park nemesis Novak Djokovic.
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In his on-court speech shortly after his victory alongside new partner Bruno Soares, an emotional Jamie told his brother: “Andy you should be in bed, I don’t know why you’re here taking photos”. “There’s very few players that will have made five Australian Open finals, so I have to be proud of that achievement”.
No matter what happens on Sunday, Murray will also take another positive record away from the tournament. “What matters is what happens Sunday”.
Murray outlasted 13th seed Milos Raonic 4-6 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-2 in Friday’s semi-final at Melbourne Park. When Murray trailed by two sets to one it seemed that Raonic was on the verge of fulfilling the promise that has seen him earmarked as the best prospect among the next generation, but the 25-year-old Canadian appeared to suffer a groin injury early in the fourth set. I think both of us will try to serve high percentage of first serves and not allow the other player attack the second serve too many times. It’s unfortunate. Probably the most heartbroken I felt on court, but that’s what it is.
Three of Djokovic’s wins in Australia have come in finals against his old friend Murray, every odd-numbered year since 2011.
“I’m expecting a battle with Andy, as it always is”.
The Murray brothers are not the only Scots in finals action this weekend, with Glasgow resident Gordon Reid on course for an Australian Open double after reaching the men’s singles and doubles finals.
“I just tried to keep going, keep making as many returns as possible, and continue to make it hard for him”, Murray said.
In their first grand slam final, Djokovic put Murray to the sword and established himself as the man who would break the duopoly of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. “It was frustrating… he didn’t miss a first serve in the breaker and I had played some good tennis in that set”.
The Scot never looked back from there, and joined Jamie as the first brothers in the Open Era to reach the singles and doubles finals at the same Grand Slam. In the Australian Open, his latest big-name scalp was Switzerland’s Roger Federer, who lost the semi-final 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
“I think someone like Novak is well on his way trying to accomplish that [Calendar Grand Slam]”, Laver said, reports the ABC. But this year, “Djoker” has a great chance of completing a calendar sweep, which could start at the 2016 Australian Open, according to Aussie tennis icon Rod Laver.
Murray’s big task now is to recover well after his physical five sets yesterday and come up with a plan to beat the world No1.
The world number two, however, gradually picked up the Canadian’s booming serve and stayed strong on his own, conceding the break only once during the entire match.
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It was only after he had to take a medical time-out early in the fourth set that he started to struggle because of an injury to an adductor muscle which increasingly affected his serve and his movement. “I’m fit. I will try to win against her. That’s for sure”.
