Okay, perhaps I got carried with that headline. However, it's difficult to downplay the final in the first major of the men's tennis season.
On one side of the court, you have Novak Djokovic, who was been nearly unstoppable in big matches the last few years. Sure, he only won one major title last season but it was in Melbourne where he will go for a Open era-record third straight championship. The days of Djokovic struggling with his fitness are a distant memory as the Serb has turned himself into a complete player.
At the other end, a confident Andy Murray will stand in Djokovic's way. Murray ended 2012 in grand fashion, capturing an Olympic singles gold medal and following that triumph with a U.S. Open title. With the proverbial monkey off of Murray's back, he will look to add to his trophy case in Australia. These two men have long been hailed as two of the top returners in the men's game and the stage is set for a classic match.
Djokovic is lethal from any part of the court, using his movement and quickness to get into position on almost every ball. Murray is capable of ripping his two-handed backhand anywhere he wants at will to quickly end points.
Novak dispelled any thought of vulnerability after a five-set epic victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 with two clutch wins over a pair of top-10 players in Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer. He quickly rebounded from the 22-game fifth set against Wawrinka to take out someone who can be dangerous in Berdych with a four-set win. Djokovic tossed aside Ferrer in straight sets to reach the final.
Murray breezed past Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the quarters, ending the Frenchman's magical run in Melbourne before facing Roger Federer for a spot in the championship match. Federer was coming off of a win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga that went the distance and pushed Murray to five sets in the semis.
Murray proved to be too strong on this occasion, prevailing 6-2 in the final set. The win was Murray's first over Federer at a Grand Slam tournament.
This will be the third straight year that Djokovic and Murray have met in Melbourne. Djokovic has won in each of the past two years, winning in straight sets in the 2011 final and surviving in five sets in last year's semifinal round.
Expect Murray to come out fighting and make Djokovic work for every point. It could go down as an instant classic between these two players at the top of their game. Djokovic has shown he can win in Melbourne, with three titles to his name in Rod Laver Arena and he should add a fourth in a tight match.
PREDICTION: Djokovic in four tight sets.
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