History beckons for Andy Murray on Sunday, when he will either win his first Australian Open title or become its unluckiest player.
The Scot will be playing in his fifth Melbourne final – and the fourth against his nemesis, Novak Djokovic. Defeat would mean an unwanted record for the player as no-one in the modern era has lost five finals at the same tournament.
With his wife, Kim, heavily pregnant at home in Britain and his father-in-law collapsing at the tournament, it has been, says The Guardian, a fortnight of “anguish and struggle” for Murray “and there almost certainly is more to come against Novak Djokovic on Sunday”.
Murray made the final after a five-set showdown with up and coming Canadian Milos Raonic. He eventually won 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 in a little more than four hours, as his opponent was hampered by a leg injury.
“Superior physical sturdiness, mental strength and experience saw Murray through against a volley of 23 aces from the strings of the hugely improved Canadian,” says Barry Flatman of The Times. “He now has to overcome the additional handicap of knowing that the world No 1 has been afforded an extra day to rest and recuperate in his bid to win the title for a sixth time.”
Djokovic will be favourite after his demolition of Roger Federer on Thursday, but Murray will recover from his exertions today and has the ability to finally claim the elusive title,
“This match won’t take an awful lot out of Murray – the rallies weren’t that long. He was moving very well at the end and was playing confidently. He knows where he failed in last year’s final against Djokovic,” he says.
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller agrees and does not see Djokovic as unbeatable. “Maybe last year Murray didn’t believe he could beat Djokovic, but now he’s more confident in his abilities and Djokovic has been a bit off-key at times,” he says.
No matter what happens on Sunday, Murray will also take another positive record away from the tournament.
“Murray and his brother Jamie who plays in the men’s doubles final tomorrow have also set an Open-era record here by becoming the first pair of brothers to reach two different grand-slam finals.”
