Andy Murray faces Novak Djokovic in the US Open Final hoping to break his Grand Slam duck. His record thus far reads Played 4 Slam finals and won 0, in his 4 finals he has won just one set. Djokovic will look to defend his title, the one he wrestled from Rafael Nadal last September and further cement his standing as the world’s best hardcourt player. But who is gonna win? Very close to call.
This match could go both ways, it comes down to infinitesimally small margins, higher serve percentage, the player who keeps his cool in the conditions a lucky net chord. I have never doubted thatMurraywill win of these slams, he has to; he is far too good a player not to and earlier in the Summer atWimbledonhe seemed like he would do it. But having lost the final in gut wrenching fashion against Roger, he bottled up all his hurt and pain and got revenge in the final of the Olympics. In that final he played so well, so dynamically he was almost unrecognisable. He destroyed the greatest player of all time on his favorite surface in his prime.
So 5 weeks on Murray has shown this form in fits and starts, Djokovic 2012 is remembering why Djokovic was so successful in 2011. Fantastic match up and the players know each other so well. Djokovic may have the edge on groundstrokes as his shots tend to go through the court a little bit more than Murrays. Murray has the bigger first yet both guys wouldn’t be known for their second serves. Murray’s speed and mobility is incredible especially for a guy of 6 ft 4. Djokovic is supple and elastic with such a strong core and explosive legs. Murray will need to get Djokovic running and maybe come the 5th set, take them away. The backhand slice will be an important shot for Murray if he can bring him off the baseline and get him bending his knees. Nice in theory anyway.
I can’t see this match being won in 3 straight sets by either guy, the quality of the opposition is just too good. With Ivan Lendl giving Murray a new steely resolve , I pick him to lift the title. Theres only so many slam defeats you can take before you get one and boy does Andy deserve a title. He will be made to work for it, every last point.
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