Men's Final Preview Aussie Open: The New Rivalry

The passing of the torch might be occurring in front of our eyes. It's not just one player, Novak Djokovic, but two. Andy Murray seems to have both feet planted on the top of the men's game. The absence of Rafael Nadal helped Murray reach the US Open Final, ultimately winning it. His short term dominance over Roger Federer, won three out of last four, has propelled him in the minds of many, over the Greatest of All-Time. The "Golden" rivalry of Nadal-Federer seems to be dying down with injuries and lack of major final battles. Murray-Djokovic is the NOW and we should expect a grinders final for the Australian Open title.


The Players
Novak Djokovic ran through his first three rounds as he had better things to do. There was absolutely no threat to his game as none of his three challengers were up to his high level. That changed quite a bit in the fourth round. Stan Wawrinka took the world's number one to five tough, grinding sets losing 12-10 in the fifth. Djokovic definitely survived a scare as he was down a set and break. At 5-3 in the second, Wawrinka served for a two set to love lead, he would not win another game in that set. Nolé buckled down breaking the number two Swiss twice to take the set 7-5. From there it was a battle that saw Djokovic pushed to the brink, but did not see him break. After his close encounter with defeat, Djoko ran through Berdych in four not-so-close sets and dismantling David Ferrer in three. The Serb will be coming into the final with confidence and much needed rest. He gets one more day of rest compared to his foe, Murray.

The "Golden Boy", Andy Murray, is coming off his first major of the year, climbing up to number three in the rankings, and the hard to come by Olympic Gold Medal. His 2012 was his best so far on the ATP tour. In 2013, he has not missed a beat as of yet. Andy trampled through his competition in straight sets until the semifinals, not even going into a tiebreaker in any of his sets. His semifinal was a little bit of a different story as he faced the Swiss Maestro, Federer. The match was pushed to the brink; a four hour five set event. Even though it was a tough match, Andy was in control for most of it. Federer only had a couple of chances, to his credit, he converted on them. The Scot had a lot more opportunities that saw him squander most of them. He will have fewer chances against Djokovic and must be better at capitalizing on them if he is going to pull off his first Aussie Open title.


The Matchup
This will be only the third time these two face each other in a major. The first time was here in Melbourne just last year in an epic semifinal that saw Nolé win his second Aussie Open. The other meeting was in New York where Murray claimed his first major of his career. This major-rubber-match should be fireworks as the last two were epics. Their head-to-head has Djokovic leading 10-7 and winning the last two contests, but both have gone the distance.



Djokovic made his claim as the best player on the planet two years ago by becoming more offensive. Andy has demonstrated that ability the past six months. Against Federer in their semifinal encounter, he was all over Roger. The Swiss was on his heels defending most of the four hours of play. This match should see both players in a seesaw battle; both playing defense to offense as they so often do. Murray will have to take it to Djokovic like never before. He must make Djoko run from side to side not allowing him to get his feet under him in any offensive position. Djokovic will be looking to do the same as that is his game style and there is no one right now better than him.

The Prediction
This match has the making of another epic battle. Both Djokovic and Murray are at the prime of their careers, hitting the ball cleaner than anyone else on tour. Their past two battles in majors were "hold on to your seat" sensational and this one will be right up there. The extra day of rest might be the slight difference in this match. I see Djokovic taking this in five grueling sets making Andy work for every single point. Remember the semifinal last year  here in Melbourne? Expect the same exact match, but now for the Aussie Open title.

Djokovic in five : 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6

Women's Final Preview; Li Na vs Azarenka

The title for the Australian Open will be contested by two underdogs. Yes, underdogs! No one really talked up Li Na as a legitimate threat down under, but with a spectacular run she has found herself in the finals. The surprise might actually be the #1 ranked player in the world making it to the finals. Victoria Azarenka was not the oddsmakers bet to make it all the way through as she was in Serena's half of the draw. When the young American, Sloane Stephens, came away with the surprise of the tournament by taking out her idol Serena, Azarenka's chances to take home her second Aussie title increased exponentially.  Let's take a look at the two players, observe their head-to-head, analyze their games, and pick a 2013 Australian Open winner.


The Players
Vika comes off 2012 as the number 1 player in the world, at least in the rankings. She made Melbourne the site of her first major and is looking to repeat. Last year saw Azarenka take home six singles titles, going 69-10. Her road to the finals has been relatively easy with all matches going two sets with the exception of one hiccup versus Jamie Hampton.  Li Na comes off a solid 2012 where she took home the Rogers Cup and a 42-17 record. She has rolled through her competition as she hasn't dropped a set in the tournament. In the semis, she took out, arguably the hottest player in Sharapova 6-2, 6-2. The popular Chinese player will be looking to win her second major of her career against a player who she has beaten four times.

The Matchup
Vika has had the best of Li Na for the most part. She edges the charismatic veteran 5-4 in head-to-head matches winning the past four matches; three out of the four on hard court. The Chinese national had her success against the Bulgarian early in their meetings, winning four matches in their first five meetings. These two have played one previous match down under with Vikka winning in 2011 in two straight sets; arguably the easiest match in their head-to-head. In the next major, Li Na took her revenge on Azarenka beating her at Roland Garros. This put her in route to her first and only major. Overall, this matchup has been a close one with Azarenka taking 12 out of the 22 sets they have played.

The Prediction
Expect a tight match Saturday night! Both players will be looking for their second major title, but both have different motivation. Azarenka wants validation as the best player in the world, while the veteran Li Na will be motivated to have another chance at a major, as she knows they are tough to come by. Vikka has been close to unstoppable against all of the WTA minus one player, Serena. With her out of the tournament, thanks to Sloane Stephens, I see Vikka taking her second Aussie title and major.

Prediction: Azaranka 6-4, 7-5

The Quarterfinals are Set- Same ol' same ol' except for one French exception!

The Quarters are set and they have played out as expected with on exception, Jeremy Chardy! The other 7 players Djoko, Berdych, Ferrer, Almagro, Murray, Tsonga, and Federer were all expected to get to this round and have achieved the achievement. Some have been tested more than others, some were at the brink of defeat, but they are all here. This goes to show the dominance of the top players and how they maintain consistency.

Tennis is said to be at its Golden Age. Players like Roger, Rafa, Nolé and Murray have been so good for so long that their consistency is a characteristic to be marveled at. Players like Ferrer, Tsonga, and Berdych have attempted to break the strangle hold of the top four and have been close, knocking at the door many times. Unfortunately those knocks have been unanswered. Whenever the door opens just a bit, it is shut by one of those four.

The Quarterfinals, with so much star power, promise to be another round of great matches. We are getting closer and closer to the end and will see all of these players pushed closer and closer to the brink. The top players will be challenged by the next, lower tier and maybe they will open up that door a bit more. That same tier will be looking to actually walk through and be a mainstay at the top level.

As for Jeremy Chardy? He looks as he is playing with house money, enjoying the ride, and loving every minute of it. As much as this writer loves perfection and "Golden Ages", it has been fun to see the Frenchman enjoy his cloud!

Look for the Finals preview coming up on Saturday....