History man Djokovic expects Melbourne dogfight with Murray

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.

Stepanek and Nestor made it to the men’s doubles final at the Australian Open before dropping a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 decision on Saturday to Jamie Murray of Scotland and Brazil’s Bruno Soares.

“I was going to fight and see what I could make of it, but it wasn’t looking that great”, said Raonic.

“I started to get a slightly better read on his serve later on and that was the key”, said Murray, who converted four of 16 break points, compared to Raonic’s one-of-six. “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”. The Serbian has been in imperious form in the past two weeks, and came into the final with a power-packed win over 17-time Grand Slam victor Roger Federer.

The 10-time major victor said the first two sets were the best he has ever played against the Swiss legend, who looked helpless against the onslaught before staging a short-lived rally in the third set. “Hopefully it can be a different result”.

Andy Murray turned up at Rod Laver Arena to watch the trophy presentation and film it on his phone – despite the fact it was 1am in Melbourne, and he is playing the men’s singles final on Sunday evening.

Sears spent a night in hospital, with Murray visiting, and was considered well enough to return home, giving Murray at least one less reason to be distracted. I think both of us will try to serve high percentage of first serves and not allow the other player to attack the second serve too many times.

“But Andy was very good mentally against Raonic and I have a good feeling for this”.

After levelling the match at two sets all, Murray broke Raonic in the opening game of the decider and the flustered 13th seed smashed his racquet in frustration before promptly crumbling under the onslaught.

Raonic needed a medical timeout and had his right hip and thigh area massaged by a trainer later in the fourth set.

“I think at the end of the fourth set I did very well”.

Massive server Raonic took immediate control in the first set with a break and preserving his own serve after Murray could not convert three break points. The two-time Grand Slam champion twice went down a set to Milos Raonic before seizing the opportunity when the Canadian’s movement and serve were compromised by injury to pull out a victory that was four hours in the making.

Murray is seeking his first Australian Open title after having finished runner-up on four occasions in the past.

Who is the favourite to win? . “Then Alan MacDonald has been with me for a long time as well”, said Murray.

“She told me, ‘Congrats, ‘ and she is happy for me, and good luck in the finals”.

For Murray, it is not just his opponents that have made this year’s Australian Open a particularly tough one to negotiate.

“I thought he left to go back to the hotel obviously”. She expects to be nervous but says the real pressure is on Williams. That’s how I feel with Radek.