Only three other men besides Murray have made five Australian Open finals-Stefan Edberg, Roger Federer and Djokovic-and Sunday’s match will be a rematch of last year’s final, where Djokovic prevailed 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3 6-0, and the 31st meeting between the two 28-year-olds.
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Andy Murray revealed that getting on top of Milos Raonic’s powerful serve played a key role in his victory in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday.
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”.
No matter what happens on Sunday, Murray will also take another positive record away from the tournament.
Andy Murray beat Canada’s Milos Raonic, twice battling back from a set down to win 4-6 7-5 6-7 6-4 6-2.
That was to be Raonic’s only break of the match but it was enough to win the first set and, after Murray had pounced to even up the contest, he ramped up his 230 kilometer-per-hour serve to clinch the third on tiebreak.
Unfortunately, a groin injury slowed down Raonic in the fourth set.
He had a lot on his mind Friday against Raonic, who was playing in only his second Grand Slam semifinal, and aiming to be the first Canadian man to reach the final of a major.
“(It was) probably the most heartbroken I felt on court, but that’s what it is”, said Raonic, who destroyed his racket after dropping serve to begin the fifth.
Now Murray has his work cut out for him in the final against Djokovic.
“I have a very good shot on Sunday if I play my best tennis”, he said.
But he is expecting Murray to again push him to the limit, just as the second seed did a year ago when Djokovic complained of enduring a “physical crisis” during his four-set final triumph at Melbourne Park.
It will be a fifth successive Grand Slam final for Djokovic, whose only defeat in Grand Slam competition previous year was to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final. “I think it is great”.
“There’s no reason it’s not possible for me to win”. He needed a medical timeout, and later in the fourth set had a massage from the trainer.
“Thanks Sania, without you I wouldn’t be here today”, said Hingis. “He has got so much experience of having to come through semis and play finals in slams”.
Raonic added: “I’m happy with where my tennis is at, I just wish I could play… tennis”. They are the first brothers to reach the finals in the men’s singles and doubles at a Grand Slam event in the Open era. The Canadian, who had not lost a match this year, played superbly for three sets.
“He’s been in the last spot a few times and he’s really putting a lot of effort to try to get the trophy on Sunday so hopefully we can help him the best we can”. I’d be way more disappointed winning the Australian Open and not being at the birth of the child.
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“I think someone like Novak is well on his way trying to accomplish that [Calendar Grand Slam]”, Laver said, reports the ABC.
