Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will be facing each other for the 36th time in their careers when they battle for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title on Saturday evening.
Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 24-11, including 13-3 in their last 16 meetings dating back to the start of 2014 and 5-2 in their last seven dating back to the fall of 2015. The Serb also won their two Grand Slam finals last season (Australian Open and French Open), but it was Murray who got the last laugh at the World Tour Finals. In the first-ever final match between No. 1 and No. 2 that would determine the year-end top spot, Murray defeated Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to triumph in London.
The new world No. 1 has won eight of his last 10 tournaments, a stretch that includes the 2016 Rio Olympics and Masters 1000 events in Shanghai and Paris. He has extended his winning streak to 28 matches with straight-set victories in Doha over Jeremy Chardy, Gerald Melzer, Nicolas Almagro, and Tomas Berdych.
Djokovic slumped after beating Murray at Roland Garros, throwing away the top ranking just as much as Murray stole it from him. This week’s No. 2 seed has been trying to get back on track, but it has not been easy. Following routine defeats of Jan-Lennard Struff, Horacio Zeballos, and Radek Stepanek, Djokovic recovered from quadruple match point down and saved five match points in total to stun Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 in Friday’s semifinals.
“Playing already in the finals of the first event definitely serves as a great confidence incentive,” the 12-time major champion said. “Obviously this is exactly what I hoped that I [could] achieve–to get to the finals. I’m hoping I can play on a high level and we can compete as we always did against each other. We always have very physical battles, long rallies, (and) entertaining matches. Between No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, it’s a perfect matchup for the final. Let’s see what happens.”
This is a rare instance in which Murray goes in as the favorite–which he is doing not simply based on his No. 1 ranking. The Scot has cruised in Doha, where Djokovic had to be let off the hook by Verdasco in order to survive. Roles were reversed last fall in London, where Murray needed three hours and 38 minutes (and saved one match point) to outlast Milos Raonic in the semis before Djokovic hammered Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1 in one hour and six minutes. None of that turned out to matter in the title match.
Now the challenger, Djokovic is no stranger to exacting revenge on his friendly foe. In fact, he has not lost back-to-back matches to Murray since the summer of 2012 (Olympic semifinals and U.S. Open final). Look for Djokovic, in typical fashion, to raise his level dramatically from what was on display against Verdasco.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
[polldaddy poll=9629007]
who ya got?
Murray in two
Djoker in 3. But, a lot of that is my heart not my head. Nole has looked great this week, hopefully he can raise his level for the final.
Hello and agree, TK. Nole in 3 but I’m not confident about it.
Topsy turvy rollercoaster ride in the WTA brackets this week 🙂
Sir Andy in straight…will be fun to watch!
Murray in three
I haven’t had a chance to see any WTA matches this year, never mind do brackets but looking forward to the AO.
Nole in 2 is a lock.
I hope so I bet $1000 on nope I’m scared
Risky
Murray in two.
Andy in 2 or 3…It’s going to be an AWESOME match!Can’t wait!
C’MON ANDY!LET’S GO!!…And GOOD LUCK NOLE!!
Hawkstradamus says Nole to turn the tides on two tight tsets.
Is your Hawkstradamus mode switched on and powered up for AO, hawkie?
Definitely rc.
As it stands before the draw, I’ll be going with a previous AO champ not named Djokovic.
you’re not calling it for fed are you hawks?? no way!!
Not saying!
#StayTuned
now you’re just being coy! not like you!!
i’m still guessing you’re backing the fed train..
I will go as far to say that he is on my short list Amy.
said yesterday that i thought murray would win today and that nole wouldn’t win ao. today could be another horror show for nole as in the wtf match.
RT @TheBorisBecker: My prediction for today’s final in #Doha : @andy_murray is fav today after winning his last 5 tourneys and finishing year as #1 but …
RT @TheBorisBecker: I would never bet against defending champion @DjokerNole plus Nole has point to prove …
he’s predicting that Murray is the favorite?
hawks, i still have work to get done so will try and watch later. can you leave some updates so i can check in and see what is going on please??
It’s hard to call this one. It could go either way. Both guys have motivation to get this win leading up to the AO.
I can see Novak wanting to reassert himself with a win here to get it back on track. I do expect him to play better than he did against Nando earlier in the tournament.
It’s a tough one, but I will stick with Murray on 3 sets. It should be a good match.
Djoko is wounded:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1lCigWWgAQ20ps.jpg
Good to see Nole playing with some emotion again.
Looking great towards the end of the first set.
Wow! Great fhdtl winner to serve it out at love.
No fear.
Muzza has never cosmetic back from a set down to beat Nole.
Quite a boring final; too many long defensive points. Djoko plays better so far.
Nice approach for a volley winner from Murray. Holds to love for a 2-1 lead.
Good match. High level from both guys at the moment.
Boring match, Murray looks lack lustre.
What have Murray done during the off season? How come he looks so lethargic?
Nice net play from Murray two points in a row!
Both guys battling hard and looking sharp out there.
Murray holds for 3-3.
Neither guy yielding many points on serve.
Solid match.
Bodes well for AO. May have to reconsider my AO pick!
One of the better BO3 matches between the two.
Fantastic defence from Murray turned to offence 0-15
nice net play from Nole and Murray just missed the passing shot.
Good mix in play.
Murray with aggression and a volley winner gives him break point.
Djokovic saves it with a great ccbh.
Few short balls from either guy as both know they have to play aggressive.
OMG! Great rally from both with Murray saving game point with a net chord.
Wow Nole finally holds for 3-3 with a great fhdtl winner.
Great emotion.
Great match.
Nole hits his head on the court after falling.
Hit the back of his head hard. Hope he’s ok.
Djoker proving me wrong right now. Playing a lot better than he has been lately as Ricky predicted.
And Murray isn’t the same rock solid beast he was end of last year. Too many random errors from his part.
Two bps for Nole.
Murray saves the first with a strong serve out wide. But double faults the next to gift the break to Nole, his second double fault of the game both coming after Nole’s fall.
Lost his focus.
How many times????
I thing Murray misses having Lendl with him this week which was a mistake in such a critical match to set the tone for AO.
Great bhdtl passing shot from Murray now up 0-30 after being broken.
Another drama (in the middle of the 2nd set):
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1lSNDYWEAAEeUZ.jpg
Like AO 14 final.
Like USO 16 final.
Like USO 16 final
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1lYjHAWgAArgWZ.jpg
Nole holds for 5-3.
Looks like he’s rediscovered his mojo.
Commies saying best tennis from Nole since FO final and I have to agree.
Good to see.
Nole to serve for the title.
Djoko smash is money today.
Nole gets tight and Murray with a chance to break back.
Nole saves bp with a great inside out fh winner.
Championship point.
Great serve for another championship point.
Murray saves another.
Great match.
Djokosmash for a third championship point.
Nole works the crowd.
Back to deuce.
Nole is the new Versaaco.
To me Murray has been the better player in the second set.
Welcome back VR!
Murray breaks back!!!
thanks Hawkeye! will discuss Rafa’s match too 😉
Murray with another break point now.
Wow.. that forehand to break was sick. 5-5
Yep. Nole let him back in but Murray played great to take advantage.
This is incredibly good now. What a rally!
That was a Delpo like CC forehand from Andy! He is playing like the world no.1 at the moment!
Andy did well to fight off those match points. He has really brought it when he needed it.
Now he has to hold here,
Wow! Point penalty on Novak for smashing his racket again!
That gave Murray the hold. Novak has lost it.
hi there NNY! good to see you posting,
Incredible tennis from Murray!!!
Murray finally wakes up now! Wow, what a passing shot! Good to see him fighting back, hope he wins the second set at least. Hes good at the net, should move up there more.
indeed! he is playing great now.
Gosh Murray is getting so much penetration on his inside-out forehand! If he continue to do that, he will be extremely hard to beat.
Meanwhile, Djokovic breaks his racket and loses the next point as penalty! did he break another one earlier?
I would love to see Murray win this second set and push it to a third set.
The commies just said that Novak was warned in the first set after hitting a ball into the stands when he got frustrated. Therefore, this second incident incurred a point penalty at the worst time.
we’re going 3 boys
And girls.
Great DTL backhand from Murray to get set points!
Nah. Tapped the ball im frustration and hit a spectator but it was soft.
Well it earned him a warning regardless and that was what set up the second call with smashing his racket and getting the point penalty.
It’s all up to the umpire when it comes to warnings. The fact is that Novak fell apart when he was serving for the match and that doesn’t happen that often with him.
Novak has to be careful with himself now in the match. He cannot afford to lose his cool again.
You kind of get the sense of how much it means to Novak to reassert himself.
if you break a racket it is automatic penalty
not up to the ump
shoddy from Novak at the net and Murray is too good to miss at the moment
1 saved
Nole loses a point and game on a violation but I’m glad to see him play with heart again.
Regardless who wins today.
They’re both playing at a high level now. Man Murray has just come up with incredible stuff last few games. Loved it when he did the crowd thing with his hands in response to Djokovic doing it a few points before. And the point penalty lol. I think Murray will win now. Wow another unbelievable point. This has gone from an ok match to an awesome one. Great tennis from both guys.
Murray with such touch at the net and a clap from Nole.
Great ccbh winner now 15-30.
Murray wins the second set!
Another bh winner for double set point.
That was flawless from Murray. Don’t think it would have mattered who was at the other side of the net. He was that good in the last few games. 7-5 to Murray!
Nole saves the first.
What a great aggressive brand of tennis Murray is playing now. He’s back. Imagine Djokovic saving five match points to beat Verdasco then losing three match points in a loss to Murray.
Murray hitting more winners in a set is actually a very very telling stat of how the dynamics are tilting little by little in their rivalry. Murray has some good patterns going his way in rallies.
Yes! Well done Murray!
Murray clearly the better player at the net, and better player in set two. Now we really have a match. I thought Murray was playing too defensive in set one, good to see he’s playing some incredible tennis to fight back.
Murray has the momentum but needs to hold here in his first service game.
Very nice from Murray with the volley at the net to hold.
They just showed the moment in the first set where he hit the ball and it went into the stands. That was why he got the warning. Not about how hard he hit it, but the issue being that when you hit a ball into the stands, you can hit a spectator.
Moving to the net is such a great option for these guys. Honestly they have multiple chances to come to the net in rallies but there is so much reluctance. Murray is a lot better at the net so he should be more willing. It is working so well for him as well!
Didn’t expect these guys to play at such a high level. Murray just has so much momentum now.
Nice recovery to hold for Murray.
I dunno if I’ve seen Djokovic hit his overhead this well.
Tsame.
aside from one that went over the wall
Nole’s depth dropped off in the second. Got conservative.
Hold to love for one all.
Both playing great at the net.
Great match.
High level continues. Good stuff.
Novak gets a nice hold.
now Andrew looks tired
triple BP
Murray crushing it 0-30.
Nole holds but seems too lackadaisical ATM.
Where did that come from? Novak gets the break.
Nole opening up his shoulders up 0-30.
Nole suddenly focussed again triple break point.
Tired-looking backhand from Murray. A solid game from Nole though.
Breaks to love and stares Murray down.
Clutch.
Interesting seeing Novak using his practice t shirt. Psychologically tricking himself into relaxing? He’s been striking the ball much cleaner since he put it on.
Or its just cold.
Murray couldn’t come up with the goods when he had the break chance at 3-2. Shanked that return for djoker to feast on and since djoker hasn’t looked back. Nole with the break and momentum all of a sudden.
Despite double fault, best service game I’ve seen in a while from Djokovic.
Djokovic to serve for the title
Djoker to serve for it. High quality contest between these two today. We’ll see if Murray can do what he did last set.
0-15
Djokosmash 0-15
0-30. Murray asking tough questions
0-30 backhand error
Nole trying to pull another Rafa struggling to serve for the title again.
Had a feeling this may happen. Murray is so good at finding that second wind. Can’t speak too soon but looks like djoker is getting tight and Murray is putting a lot of pressure here.
Murray just so tired now. Horrible misses.
winner: N. Djokovic (SRB)
Fourth championship point.
Great winning point from Djokovic. Pretty shocked by the three straight missed balls in the net in the end. I think he was just tired. I really thought he’d break back there. Kudos to Novak though. Quality performance from both.
Great match point.
Good play from both.
Might just be a preview for the AO final.
Unless…
Novak gets the win in the end. These two are the favorites going into the AO. We might just see them in the final there.
Well done Novak. He’s back at the level where he could pull off the Australian. Other tournaments not so sure.
And this was probably the best match quality wise between the two. In terms of drama, perhaps only AO 2012 was better.
so much for my saying andy would win easily!! rubbish prediction on my part. i also said nole wouldn’t win ao…that’s looking like rubbish as well….
Ah that’s ok Amy. Don’t be hard on yourself.
Just ignore any nad predictions and focus on the right ones like Ricky and Me.
Speaking of….
I told you so Alison!
Congrats to Meeeee!
i still suspect you of secretly or not so secretly being on the fed train for ao hawks!! have to check out who you pick in the brackets…
ps i don’t take myself at all seriously when it comes to picks and so on..so it’s all ok with me!! don’t have remotely the tennis knowledge of you, nny and vr…
Thanks Amy. But you are a keen observer. Don’t sell yourself short.
don’t think i am really hawks..but i don’t mind and thanks for saying it even if it’s not true..
i guess nole will be the betting fave now..
He looked great this week considering the long layoff.
He’s a contender for sure at almost 36.
Unheard of in today’s game.
Respect where it’s due.
fedal final!!
#NID
Sadly rafa just ain’t ready in terms of consistency and confidence yet.
Just bought an annual subscription on tennistv to see this match and given the high quality it’s paid for itself already!
Lemme guess. Are those Feds legs sticking out of that goat head?
Yeah congrats to Novak and RC, and the rest of the Novak fan base here, played the bigger points better although only slightly in the key moments 😉
Hawkeye/ Elina it all depends which way the wind blows with you, i dont understand your SOH you seem to talk in riddles and cliches ….
I wouldn’t worry about me so much if I were you Allison.
Just enjoy the tennis! 🙂
Wow. I should have smoked something special to appreciate these closing ceremonies!!’
Wtf?
Amy Fedal final NID, i like your optimism 😉
guess i too have been smoking something special alison..!!
A bit much for a 250, no?
Murray is asleep.
Is this the Olympics closing ceremonies???
Im not worried HE, its just all a bit lost on me im afraid, and i do enjoy tennis BTW, it just doesnt dominate my life :-/