Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic: Australian Open 2015 final match preview

A look ahead to the final match in the men’s singles

Andy Murray v Novak Djokovic (Getty Images)

Britain’s finest, Andy Murray, hopes to lift his first Australian Open trophy on Sunday morning, when he faces Novak Djokovic in the final showdown. Djokovic has his eyes on his fifth trophy in Melbourne, the most in Open Era history.

The players know each other inside out, and with only a seven-day age gap, they’ve been rivals since their junior times.

They were set to meet in the final in Abu Dhabi earlier this month but Djokovic withdrew due to an illness. Well-recovered, the Serb is ready to meet Murray for the 24th time on the pro tour. He leads their head-to head count 15-8.

They created history together in Melbourne, having battled each other in two finals and one semi-final, with the Serb winning all three encounters.

However, Murray proved he is not intimidated by playing the current world No 1 even at the biggest stages, with Grand Slam titles at stake, as it was Djokovic who was Murray’s final victim at the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon Championships, when Murray lifted the trophies.

Both of them have made a great effort for the past two weeks dropping just two sets each so far in the Championships.

The question is can Djokovic recover after a five-set battle against Stan Wawrinka in the semi-final where he appeared below his best? And can Murray end his losing streak in the Australian Open finals?

We’ll find out the answers on Sunday, in a match that is expected top match and exceed Saturday's passionate and exciting women’s final in which Serena Williams became a six-time Australian Open winner.

START: Sunday, Rod Laver Arena, 8.30 am GMT

PAST MEETINGS:

2014 - Paris (Hard) Djokovic won 7-5, 6-2

2014 – Beijing (Hard) Djokovic won 6-3, 6-4

2014- US Open (Hard) Djokovic won 7-6, 6-7, 6-2

STATS:

For Murray a win would mean a third major title and the first one in Melbourne. For Djokovic his eighth in total and fifth in Melbourne, which would place him on top of the Open Era table and in second place (behind Roy Emerson) in the all-time winners count.

For Murray it is his first Grand Slam final appearance since he won Wimbledon in 2013.

Djokovic has played in four finals in Melbourne and never lost. Murray has played in three and is yet to win.

Both players have played 20 sets so far with Murray having to play two games less than the Serb (195 compared to 197).

ODDS:

Djokovic to win 1.40

Murray to win 3

TV: British Eurosport