Australian Open 2016: Andy Murray seeks Novak Djokovic dip

Ten-time major champion Djokovic, who lost in the quarterfinals previous year to big-serving Ivo Karlovic in his first-ever appearance at this event, will square off against 14-time Grand Slam victor Rafael Nadal, victor of Doha in 2014, in Saturday’s final.

Djokovic improved his record against Tomas Berdych to 22-2 by downing the Czech 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals.

Going into the final, Djokovic and Nadal were tied at 23 wins apiece in their career meetings, the most between any players in ATP Tour history.

Having lost to Djokovic in last year’s final at Melbourne Park and in the 2011 and 2013 title-deciders, Murray is well aware he faces a huge task to overcome his fierce rival and win his first Australian title.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet have Djokovic at odds of $1.67 to win the title once more, while the Serbian is also priced at $1.67 against the field ($2.10). Nadal held his serve in the fourth game, and that is all he would get in the opening set as Djokovic broke again in the sixth game, before closing out the set. “From the very beginning I managed to get every shot the way I wanted”, said Djokovic.

“Well, for the match is easy to analyse”, Nadal told reporters. “I came out on the court with the right intention, right intensity, and with a great deal of confidence I carried from the last season”.

“That’s where I’m hoping I can continue this run and this great level of performance”, he added.

The Serb has now won nine of his last 10 clashes with Nadal.

Nadal’s serve dominated throughout against a player who had knocked out the reigning champion and No. 4 seed David Ferrer in round one. For Nadal, meanwhile, that emphatic loss at Roland Garros was just one of a number of low points in what was the most disappointing year for the Spaniard since he first burst onto the tour as a teenage prodigy over a decade ago. The second seed didn’t strike the ball poorly in the set; a commanding Djokovic was timing the ball so cleanly, he denied Nadal opportunity to operate. He wrapped up the match after 73 minutes, striking a total 30 winners to just 13 unforced errors.

“Not flawless, obviously. But I did a few good things, and I’m happy with the victory, being in the first final of the season”, said a coy Nadal.

He also fired six aces and hit 16 winners.

There were rallies in the very first game. Where he went for power in the first set, he started slicing his serve further outside in the second, handing him a huge advantage in the rallies.