His 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2 victory sets up a final against five-time champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s title match.
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“That’s what happened last night (in the semi-final against Milos Raonic)”, Djokovic said.
In his victory speech, an emotional Jamie told his brother: “Andy you should be in bed, I don’t know why you’re here taking photos”.
The British number one has not made more finals of any Grand Slam event than the five he has reached in Melbourne, compared favourably to two in the US Open and Wimbledon. Doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past really. “What matters is what happens Sunday”. Murray broke Raonic’s big serve four times, twice in the fifth set, and hit 38 winners, while Raonic served up 23 aces among his 72 winners, but made 78 unforced errors.
An adductor muscle injury to Raonic’s right leg noticeably slowed him in the decider and the Canadian expressed his frustration by smashing his racquet after being broken early. Nestor won here in 2002 – the first of his eight Grand Slam titles – and also reached his first major final here in 1995, both times with partner Mark Knowles.
That’s unlikely to be the case against Djokovic, who excels at dictating the pace in the large majority of his matches. “I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was, yeah, I think a different level than from before”. It’s unfortunate. Probably the most heartbroken I felt on court, but that’s what it is.
But he is expecting Murray to again push him to the limit, just as the second seed did past year when Djokovic complained of enduring a “physical crisis” during his four-set final triumph at Melbourne Park.
“If you want to win Grand Slam titles and be the best in the world, you have to win against the best players in the world”.
“I’m not in the mental state where I would be seeing a doctor to get a recommendation today”, he said.
It was of little consolation, however, for a player who was left on the sidelines for much of last season due to a string of injuries. It was Raonic’s only break of the match, with Murray fending off six other break-point chances.
“He’s known around the tour for one of the hardest working guys and somebody that really puts in the hours on the tennis court, and off the tennis court tries to ideal his game”.
“Definitely it was a bit complicated for him, and he handled it very well – as well as he could, I guess”. After Federer showed some life in winning the third set, Djokovic regained control and won handily in the fourth set.
“Thanks for inviting me and thanks for playing such good tennis”.
The 43-year-old Nestor and 37-year-old Stepanek, who also teamed together two weeks before the start of the Australian Open, have 10 doubles Grand Slam titles between them.
“I’m expecting a battle with Andy, as it always is – a very physically demanding match; lots of rallies, exchanges”, Djokovic said.
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An ailing Raonic, who sported a flawless 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.
