2016 Australian Open Final: Djokovic v. Murray

[nehmeth]

Nolandy. Djoray. How do you see this one playing out.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Djokovic all the way. Tough turn around for Andy after that 5 setter with Raonic. Plus, Djokovic is playing too well.

 

[El Dude]

LOL, had to make sure Novak was above Andy, right nehmeth?

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think Andy will prevail if Djoker plays the way he did against Simon(I didn't see the match ). It would be good for the game if Andy starts to be a grand slam champion again, IMO.

 

[isabelle]

All depend on Murray's level, if he plays well he can win if not....RIP Andy !!

 

[mrzz]

If Djokovic wins, a strange peculiarity will be observed:

Djokovic beats Murray who has beaten Raonic who has beaten Monfils who has beaten Kuznetsov who has beaten Sela who has beaten Verdasco who has beaten Nadal.

 

[nehmeth]

LOL, had to make sure Novak was above Andy, right nehmeth?

:snicker #1 comes before #2, and always before #3 (unless you're a feddie)

 

[El Dude]

LOL, had to make sure Novak was above Andy, right nehmeth?

:snicker #1 comes before #2, and always before #3 (unless you're a feddie)

I actually never thought about it, and didn't know it was a rule when posting a poll. Which it isn't. I'm fairly certain that other polls I've posted haven't always been in ranking order - its a 50-50 chance!

Anyhow, its a non-issue.

 

[El Dude]

As for the actual subject at hand, obviously Novak is the favorite. I think Andy has a better chance of beating Novak than just about anyone else, with the possible exception of Wawrinka. But the problem is, unlike Stan (or even Federer), it isn't really up to Andy - all he can do is play his absolute best and hope that Novak channels his less-consistent 2012-14 self. In other words, Novak surpasses Andy in just about every way, so needs to play well below his level to lose.

To put another way...

Novak plays his A game, and Andy can't win.
Novak plays his B game, and we've got an interesting match if Andy plays his absolute best.
Novak plays his C game...wait, we haven't seen that since 2014, and then only rarely.

Part of what makes Novak so great right now is he doesn't have a C game. His worst is a B game, which is good enough to beat anyone - or rather, everyone except for Roger, Stan, and Andy, and only those three if they play out of their minds (A game). And part of this is because he has masterfully figured out how to peak in tournaments at the right time, like runners who save their best for the last lap.

Now some seem to hope or fear that Novak's play vs. Simon points to the return of Novak's C game. But I'm not ready to say that; we need to see it happen more than one match.

 

[Kieran]

Last year's final was interesting because throughout the tournament, and up until he broke to take control of the match in the third set, Murray actually looked as stern and strong as he had under Lendl.

Then he dropped a massive calf. And went away. It became a pattern for him last season. And instead of pushing Novak to the brink in the final, he handed it over to him, losing 12 of the next 13 games, rather sheepishly. I think his excuse was that he was distracted by Novak's playacting, which is quite lame, far as excuses go.

This year he hasn't looked anything as good, though he worked hard today, staying with Milos until the big lad was hampered by injury.

I can't see anything other than a Novak win on Sunday, although I'll be rooting for Andy. But Andy lacks something, and if anything, Novak has gathered steam as the tournament progressed, so I think this one could be done in straights...

 

[nehmeth]

Now some seem to hope or fear that Novak's play vs. Simon points to the return of Novak's C game. But I'm not ready to say that; we need to see it happen more than one match.

I could be completely wrong, but my thoughts on the Simon match difficulties were due, in part, to the inflammatory article put out by that Italian newspaper. That went away in less than 48 hours, but it was right in between the Seppi and Simon matches and splashed everywhere. It was one of those external distractions that can affect a player's focus. I doubt we see that kind of play Sunday.

 

[Kieran]

Now some seem to hope or fear that Novak's play vs. Simon points to the return of Novak's C game. But I'm not ready to say that; we need to see it happen more than one match.

I could be completely wrong, but my thoughts on the Simon match difficulties were due, in part, to the inflammatory article put out by that Italian newspaper. That went away in less than 48 hours, but it was right in between the Seppi and Simon matches and splashed everywhere. It was one of those external distractions that can affect a player's focus. I doubt we see that kind of play Sunday.

What was the article, brother, I missed that?

I wouldn't set any store in the Simon match. It's like the Anderson match at Wimbledon. It's how great players often work their way to peak form within a slam...

 

[nehmeth]

What was the article, brother, I missed that?

:snicker My friend, you didn't miss it. You were the one who posted the link to it on page 2 of the match fixing thread.

 

[Kieran]

What was the article, brother, I missed that?

:snicker My friend, you didn't miss it. You were the one who posted the link to it on page 2 of the match fixing thread.

Oh that! Yeah I already forgot it. :laydownlaughing

I think a scrap during a slam isn't harmful to these players...

 

[tented]

I'll give Andy one set -- Novak's Mid-Match Walkaboutâ„¢ -- but Novak will win in 4.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

If Andy plays really well, he might

........................ win a set.

I have no desire to stay up and watch this baseline rally fest.

 

[tented]

If Andy plays really well, he might

........................ win a set.

I have no desire to stay up and watch this baseline rally fest.

It is the least interesting match-up among the Big 4 by a wide margin -- especially when their matches end with a 6-0 final set.

 

[Riotbeard]

I picked Novak in 4, wouldn't be suprised though if Andy rope-a-dopes his way into losing in the fifth. Novak however got plenty of practice on playing patient counter puncher tennis against Simon, so I think he will be ready for the type of game plan he will have to employ against Andy.

 

[nehmeth]

It is the least interesting match-up among the Big 4 by a wide margin -- especially when their matches end with a 6-0 final set.

Unfortunately, with Roger aging and Rafa waning... this may become a steady diet. :gross:

 

[Fiero425]

I was so hopeful Milos had come of age; Wawrinka win isn't enough if you look at history! It looked good for a different final after 3rd set TB and break of Murray! Will the crowd Boooooo; that is the question if it's another drubbing by the end with 6-0 set going to Nole? ;-) :ras: