The world’s best tennis player Novak Djokovic has been shabbily treated at the Australian Open.
Australians have always prided themselves as being fair-minded – they have been renowned for that worldwide – and for providing a level playing field.
Until now.
When Djokovic meets Andy Murray tomorrow night at Melbourne Park in the final of the men’s singles, Murray will have the unfair advantage of an extra 24 hours rest after his semi, thanks to a major scheduling stuff-up.
The women’s semis followed each other on the same day, so there was no time lapse advantage to either Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova for their decider.
But Murray won his semi against Tomas Berdych on Thursday night after the women’s semis, while Djokovic’s semi against defending champion Stan Wawrinka was held over until Friday night.
Inexcusable.
So apart from the obvious advantage to Andy Murray, how does he shape up against Novak Djokovic?
In the six rounds to date:
Djokovic has been on court for 13 hours 12 minutes – Murray 12 hours 58.
Both have won 18 sets to 2.
Murray has won 125 games, and lost 72 – Djokovic 120 games to 75.
Murray has struck 65 aces, Djokovic 53.
Djokovic has made 14 double faults, Murray 12.
Murray has struck 230 winners, Djokovic 208.
Murray has made 176 unforced errors, Djokovic 154.
Murray has converted 34 of 72 break points for 47.22 per cent, Djokovic only 26 of 74 for 35.13 per cent.
Murray has covered 15,967 metres on court, Djokovic 12,192.
While Murray’s opponents have covered 15,431 metres, Djokovic’s 11,713.
The last two sets of stats make interesting reading.The losing opponents have covered less distance than the winners.
Apart from that, there’s very little difference in the overall stats to suggest favouritism.
Djokovic is a far better player this year than last, thanks to coach Boris Becker. And the same applies to Murray since taking on Amelie Mauresmo as coach.
It’s fitting that the two best players over the last fortnight have made it to the decider.
I can’t go past Novak Djokovic to win his fifth Australian Open to leave four-time Australian champions Jack Crawford, Ken Rosewall, Andre Agassi, and Roger Federer behind, and close in on Roy Emerson’s record six.
While defeat would mean four lost Australian Open finals for the Scot – three to Djokovic, and one to Federer.
The final say is in their head-to-head clashes, where Djokovic leads 15-8, including the last four in their only meetings throughout 2014.
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