AO 2016 - Day 14

Order of Play - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/schedule19.html

Live Scores - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/index.html

Day 14 Preview - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2016-01-31/ao_analyst_how_murray_can_beat_djokovic.html

(Apologies for being tardy...)

No predictions from me, but Murray has his work cut-out if he wants the Norman Brooks Trophy.

Number of Comments/Views on 606v2 Tennis for each main AO day (as of this writing).

Day 1 - 19/500
Day 2 - 96/1324
Day 3 - 35/675
Day 4 - 33/542
Day 5 - 102/1578
Day 6 - 48/795
Day 7 - 251/2941
Day 8 - 120/1639
Day 9 - 93/1598
Day 10 - 115/1660
Day 11 - 254/3570
Day 12 - 128/2098
Day 13 - 39/565
Day 14 - ?/?

If this final follows the pattern of recent match-ups between the two then Djokovic wins in three or four sets.

Like I said yesterday though if Andy serves excellently, continues with his improved second serve as well, can play the key points better winning the majority of them and wins the first set then the outcome may be different. Andy's shown he can beat Novak in slam finals so it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Best of luck Andy and enjoy the final everyone.

Go for it Andy

Andy in 4. Come onnnnnn.

Windy day apparently...

Lets see will Djoko play a fake injury again

Novak in 3 or 4. First couple being very tight.

Andy has to win the opening 2 sets to win the title. Being level after 2+ hours is not enough against Novak as he outlasts everyone.

Murray hasn't turned up.

Bagel approaching

Wake the F up Andyyyyyy

Hmmm.

I don't think Novak can believe it either

Nerves maybe diminishing. Not ideal to give Novak a set lead though.

I was hoping for a contest. That dream is over too.

The dream is not over, back to sleep.

I think the Raonic match took the edge off Andy's game.. he looks somewhat jaded

This match resembles a hitting session. It's like "ok, today we're just going to work on backhand & forehand".

In a match of continuous baseline rallies Murray isn't good enough to win.

Jesus Murray got caned first set!!

Murray needs to lengthen the points a little bit. He's making too many errors to play aggressively. Plus he's having more success with longer points anyway.

A TV and a member of crowd calling out on a 'big' point.

Hope you got that HE

Crucial hold.

Now Djoko to be broken.

Murray was 0-9 winners/UEs after 5 games. He is 12-10 for the 4 games since and still isn't out of 2nd gear. This could change quickly.

Fumbling for positives, at least that 1st set would have taken very little out of Murray physically. Losing a long tight set could arguably have been even more harmful to his chances. Either way, you really can't afford to give Novak a head start. At least Andy is showing a bit more grit at the start of the second.

Such a poor return game there having got to 0-15.

He's making too many mistakes for this to become a match. Errors from rally shots too, rather than aggressive ones.

That first hold in the second seems to have lit a fire up Andy's @rse!

Both are a joke at the net, at least Andy won this good one

That OH. Appalling.

Djoko "vitamins" are coming at the end, you can see he is getting tired like a normal person last few games.

Break nowwwww

Mats made a good point about Andy coming to the net. Even if he loses the point, the change-up still gives Novak something to think about and will, hopefully, induce more errors further down the line. Andy has to do something to break Novak's rhythm.

Andy's BH return certainly starting to fire.

Andy ditch the powderpuff FH and use the slight hammer one! More joy with it.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh

FFS!!

This is so frustrating. Murray going from great to terrible with each point! What a missed opportunity that game was. You fear that was the chance, and it's been missed.

I'd like to also see Andy throw in a spell of junk tennis like Simon did. Give Djoko no pace to work with and see what happens as Simon had success. At least this set is more competitive at 3-3.

Encouraging signs from the back of the court now from Andy. His weight of shot starting to trouble Novak. Just needs to execute better and cut out some of the unnecessary errors.

CaledonianCraig wrote:I'd like to also see Andy throw in a spell of junk tennis like Simon did. Give Djoko no pace to work with and see what happens as Simon had success. At least this set is more competitive at 3-3.

I have been crying out for someone to do that since Dolgopolov gave Novak such a hard time.. the more you hit at Novak the more it comes back at you... slow the pace Andy

Djoko breaks to lead 4-3. Too many errors coming from Murray at moment I am afraid.

Jesus Andy... The errors of standard shots are infuriating. Unless he breaks straight back, this is done.

Missing that put away volley. Changed the complexion had he made it.

If this was the first set, we'd be thinking great match. However, because the opener was so one sided, it has the air of a phoney contest. No question Andy is playing better, but Novak raises his level and breaks. Scary thing is that Novak still looks like he's playing within himself and has other gears to go to if needed.

now cmon !!!!

Has to take this BP!

Go Andy gooooo

Take the set now.

Hello....

Now he has to win this game.

Played Andy. Erratic stuff but still able to break Djokovic - small victory. 4-4.

Now give it some wellie Andy

Come on!

Why is he making so many errors off standard rally shots?! Bizarre

Don't you dare let him break