Djokovic v Murray
So is Djokovic actually injured or not? Despite any brief panic from the commentators on Wednesday, it looked to be a very minor twinge that disappeared as swiftly as it arrived. It’s natural for a player to flex and test it regularly after something like that, just to be sure they are still in one piece. The record between these two stands at 6-4 Djokovic and tends to go in streaks – first four matches to the Serb, then three to Murray, two to Djokovic, and then a victory by retirement to Murray in Cincinnati last year, which has to be ignored. Only once have they met in a five-setter – on this court 362 days ago. Their next meeting though, in the Rome semi-final on clay, was the closest anyone came to beating Djokovic in the first five months of 2011, 7-6 in the third.
How much does Ivan Lendl add to Murray’s finishing power? That’s the big question around the Scot’s participation here. If this match was a final, I’d really struggle to back the man from Dunblane. Being a semi-final however, the mental burden on Murray isn’t as heavy. I give Murray a real chance here but the market has latched onto that, much of which has to centre around the injury concerns for Djokovic. That probably will equate to nothing, but he has shown mentioned a recurrence of his old sinus issues as well.
I reckon this one might go the distance, a shame there’s no number of sets market for men’s matches so we will need to have a nibble on both guys to win 3-2: Djokovic at 6.40, Murray 6.90.
Women’s Doubles
The honour of the first final of the tournament goes to the Women’s Doubles. The Italian pair of Errani and Vinci will start marginal outsiders against the Russian coupling of Kuznetsova and Zvonareva. I prefer the Russians in this but I think the BETASport oddsmakers have the prices spot on, so no bet for me.
Follow Scott Ferguson throughout the Australian Open on TWITTER for all his banter, bets and insight @Borisranting
