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