SB Nation Australian Open Tennis 2012
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in a classic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5, for the right to face Rafael Nadal in the finals at the 2012 Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray on Friday to advance to the 2012 Australian Open Finals, but it wasn't easy. The match went five sets and lasted five hours before finishing up 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5 in favor of the No. 1-ranked Serb. Djokovic will face familiar foe Rafael Nadal on Sunday for the championship.
In a match with plenty of drama throughout, the final set was perhaps the most exciting. The two stars held serve until Djokovic finally broke Murray in the sixth game to go up 4-2 and then held serve to take a dominating 5-2 advantage. Murray was able to hold serve to make the set 5-3 with Djokovic up to serve for the match. But Murray gained a second wind and pushed through a 20-shot rally on his way to winning break point.
Murray held serve to win his third straight game and tie the set at 5-5 apiece. He had two break point opportunities over Djokovic to take the lead in the 11th game, but Djokovic fought back to force deuce No. 3, before taking the next two points and the game. Djokovic would go on to win his final break point handily for the set (7-5) and the match.
Djokovic held a big advantage in unforced errors, committing just 69 to Murray's 86, for the match. Also telling, Djokovic won 45 percent of his second serves compared to 30 percent for Murray. The win sets up a world No. 1 vs. No. 2 match this Sunday against Nadal. The two have met 29 times in their careers, with Nadal holding a 16-13 advantage.
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