After world No. 1 Novak Djokovic?s 5-hour, 53-minute marathon victory over No. 2 Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open in January ? the longest final in Grand Slam history ? Sony Ericsson Open fans likely hoped for a 1 vs. 2 blockbuster rematch in the men?s final at 1?p.m. Sunday.
What they?re getting instead could be just as compelling.
Fourth-ranked Andy Murray of Great Britain is the only player who has beaten defending Sony champion Djokovic twice since the Serb became No.?1 after Wimbledon, and will meet him again for the 13th time in the final in Key Biscayne.
The two, who are each 24 and have played each other for years after competing together as juniors, have taken turns winning since their first meeting on the ATP World Tour in Madrid in 2006.
Djokovic (19-2 overall in 2012) leads the series 7-5, with Murray (17-3) winning their last match 6-2, 7-5 this month in the semifinal of the event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. And though Djokovic also won the Sony Ericsson Open in 2007, Murray had his own glory lofting the championship trophy at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
Murray?s victim that day in 2009? Djokovic ? 6-2, 7-5.
?Andy is a top player for many years already,? Djokovic said after defeating Juan Monaco 6-0, 7-6 on Friday night in a semifinal. ?He deserves to be up there. He?s very consistent with his results. We all know his talent, his potential, and quality. He?s dangerous on any surface.
?He likes the conditions [at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park]. He likes to play in the heat, as well, and has a good serve. ?We grew up together. We know each other really well.?
The most intriguing factor for Murray on Sunday will be whether his odd route to the final will serve as an obstacle or advantage.
While Djokovic has cruised through five matches at the Sony Ericsson Open without dropping a set, Murray has played only three matches since the tournament began March 21. Two of his scheduled opponents withdrew from their matches before they started ? 26th-ranked Milos Raonic in the third round because of an ankle injury; and Nadal for Friday?s semifinal because of an ailing knee. Murray?s last match was Wednesday when he defeated No.?9 Janko Tipsarevic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a quarterfinal that lasted just over 2?1/2 hours.
?To be honest, it hasn?t really happened to me that often where even one guy has done that,? Murray said Friday. ?So yeah, to get two [walkovers] in one week is strange.?
He was asked if he?d have anxiety about not having had enough court time going into the final.
?I mean, I don?t know,? he replied. ?You don?t really know the answer to that. You never know how you?re going to play on the day. Obviously, you don?t play a match for three or four days, it?s different than if you played one or two days ago.
?But the positives are that you?re going to be fresh and physically feeling fine. So, who knows? Wait and see on the day.?
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