Wellllllll I just watched the semi finals match from ATP Dubai Open Championships with Andy Murray taking on the World No.1 Novak Djokovic, and what a match it was.
I have to say even though it was a short lived match, it was very high on quality as both players laid it out on the court for a highly enthusiastic jam packed crowd who naturally lapped every minute of it. The real surprise of course being that not only did Andy defeat Novak but he also defeated him in straight sets! The first belonged to Andy as he dominated it with agression and precision breaking Djoko twice to take the set 6-2, but in the 2nd despite being 5-3 up and serving for the match, Djokovic broke back to and levelled it at 5-5, however Andy wasn't done yet, after holding serve at 6-5, he broke Djokovic again to take the match, and his first win over the World No.1 in 2012.
While this match was dramatically shorter than the incredible Australian Open semi final match they had, it definitely had plenty of terrific points, and both players were as dynamic and sharp as you would hope they would be. Although Djokovic did make a few uncharacteristic unforced errors, especially in the 1st set, being broken twice, you would expect the world's best player to claw his way back into the match and level it, but it didn't quite work out that way today. It does also show that Djokovic isn't quite as the superhman as he was last year, winning every single match in sight up until the French Open, he won 41 consecutive matches in 2011, this year he won 10 before being beaten. But I also think Djokovic will definitely prioritise the grand slams this year and when it comes to it, he will play his best tennis in the remaining three majors.
As for Andy, well, he really put in quite a performance in this match, he attacked well, returned brilliantly and most importantly he served really well, which is something he has done all week in Dubai, as his first serves are now consistently above 60%, which is really good. If he can keep up this pace, then surely that slam isn't far away now, and this week we really have seen Andy shine, with his whole game and demeanour having changed, he's no longer whinging, muttering and berating himself on court, he's just getting on with it (well for the most part!). We have also just witnessed him push aside the World No.1 in straight sets, and while it was in a smaller tournament, it sure is a signal of things to come. Another great thing is we are starting to see an exciting new rivalry emerge in Andy and Novak, as together they have produced some really explosive tennis when they are on court, so I'm really looking forward to their next meeting.
But first things first, Andy will now face Roger Federer in the final, and well he isn't too bad a player himself. Roger himself had a really good match against Juan Martin Del Poltro, with their last two meetings being easy wins for Fedora, but this time Delpo brought his game to the match and it was a much tighter contest. Federer won the 1st set tiebreak, and then it went to a 2nd set breaker, and despite being 6-2 up, Federer broke back and levelled and then broke to win the breaker and match in 7-6(5), 7-6(6).
So what's my verdict for tomorrow's match??? Its a tough one to call, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that Andy will win this one, as he really has played some terrific tennis this week, and beating Djokovic in the semis will give him big confidence going into the final. However Federer is in great form on the ATP tour so far this year and it would be no surprise if he did win tomorrow, but either way I think promises to be a very good final.
And that's it for now, more to follow once the verdict is in!
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