 |
| Novak Djokovic |
Andy Murray fever is quickly spreading across the UK and on Sunday, he will play his second consecutive Wimbledon final. This time round, he will face off against Novak Djokovic, who edged past Juan Martin del Potro in a sensational semi-final that lasted 4 hours and 43 minutes, the longest ever in Wimbledon history. Djokovic had two match points in an astounding 4th set tiebreak, but required a fifth set to progress into the final. Both played some breathtaking tennis at times, but I will remember this match for Del Potro's immense fight and fearsome forehand, and Djokovic's champion qualities to tough out the win. The commentary team bigged this match up and John Lloyd on the BBC commentary said several times that it was one of the best matches of all time. Really? I thought it was a stunning match, probably the match of the tournament, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Murray took out Jerzy Janowicz in four sets, 6-7(2) 6-4 6-4 6-3, overcoming a potentially disrupting delay for the roof and fighting back from a 4-1 deficit in the third set. Janowicz was on top of this match for much of the first three sets, but Murray dug deep to swing the momentum back towards himself. Janowicz was pushing for the roof and got his wishes as Murray expressed his dismay at the tournament referee, Andrew Jarrett. Murray though, was able to re-focus and played a terrific fourth set as Janowicz's form tailed off. I have been worried about the future of the mens game with the up-and-comers not progressing at the big events. As the likes of Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov continue to stutter, Janowicz took his chances this week and shone on the big stage. At the beginning of the year, I wasn't convinced by Janowicz, but I am now...
Back to the final and it will be 19th clash between Murray and Djokovic and their 4th in a Grand Slam final. Djokovic leads the head-to-head by 11 wins to 7; in Grand Slam finals, Djokovic is up 3-1 with a win earlier this year in the Australian Open final. I have to admit this match-up has not yet caught my imagination. That is not to say these two haven't played some great matches together. Last year's US Open final, which Murray won was drama at its finest and they played a very high quality match at the Olympics last year, their only ever match on grass, which Murray also won in 2 tight sets. Many of their matches though have sunk into a one-dimensional slugfest and I definitely felt that way towards their final at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Highlights from Murray and Djokovic's last match-up at the Australian Open
Highlights from Murray and Djokovic's last match-up at the Australian Open
I do think this will be a fascinating final though, particularly because Murray will be playing in front of a home crowd and the atmosphere is going to be epic. It is very close to call as always between Andy and Novak because their games are very similar. Murray has struggled at times in his last two matches against Fernando Verdasco and Janowicz, but his fight and desire to win has been exemplary. Djokovic also struggled to find his best form yesterday against del Potro, but he had sailed through the first four rounds of the tournament.
So my verdict? A tight match, but I don't think it will go five sets. I felt at the start of the year, at the start of the tournament and now as I write this, that Murray was destined to win Wimbledon in 2013. I think on a balmy Sunday evening, the whole of the UK will be celebrating a first British Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry in 1936.
 |
| Moo's Final Prediction - Murray d. Djokovic in 4 sets |
Once again, I would welcome your comments about who you think will win this year's mens final :-)
The thing is that the level is so high between these 2 players. So i'd have to agree about this fatalistic approach to things. Seems a lot of people are feeling that as well. Murray has had a break with an early RG exit,Djokovic coming out of a tough 5 setter with Del Potro. And we know Murray wants this more than anything else and more than anyone. To beat Del Potro and then Murray-well that was exactly the combo that robbed Federer last year of the Olympics title even though he just won Wimbledon a month prior. Ofcourse his match with Del Potro was much much tougher than Djoko's match with Del Potro but still probably will drain Djoko enough to give the edge to Murray. Murray's game is probably best on grass-he might even define it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAt least his passing shots are quite a marvel which you don't see on other surfaces or from other players.
Murray is close to offer the title in England (or Scotland).
ReplyDeleteMoo sorry but I do not like Murray (details: Many grin, his coach Lendl and his mother).
They have the same game, but mentally is the strongest?
I prognostic Djoko in 5 sets
I just don't know... Hopefully Murray will do it but I won't be surprised if it's Djoko in 3 :( In Andy's favour Novak must have been exhausted on Friday...
ReplyDeleteDjok is the superior talent so Murray needs him to be off his game a little bit to have a chance, only about a 30% likelihood of that happening though. The destined to win it thing is nonsense, you could easily say he's destined to suffer, like a good scot, and if Murray gives Djok the chances he gave his previous two opponents he's no chance.
ReplyDeleteWOW! It was a prediction.....
ReplyDelete