So we got the final I’m sure most people have been hoping for after Djokovic saved five match points in his 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 win over Verdasco and Murray defeated Berdych 6-3, 6-4.
I couldn’t watch the Djokovic match due to my poor Internet quality but on the highlights, I saw Djokovic was 2-6 and 6-7 down in the tiebreak. He was also up 4-2 in the first set after which he slumped badly to lose the first set and go down 0-2 in the second set.
It’s not every day that you see Djokovic get broken three consecutive times. It must have been a bad day at the office but what matters is that he won with the help of his characteristic mental strength.
Losing to Verdasco would have been a pretty big setback at this point and I am still not sure how first of all he got into that situation and second of all found a way out. But it is not the first time we see Djokovic save match points.
His mental strength is up there with the best of all time. The match with Verdasco may boost his confidence as well before playing Murray, knowing how close he was to exiting the tournament.
Who knows what to expect from the second final between these two in as many events. I am just glad it is the best final possible. Djokovic would obviously love to turn the tables after what happened in London last year.
If he can win that would give him a nice boost before the Australian Open and he will probably be the favorite to win his seventh title. If Murray wins that would be two consecutive final wins over Djokovic and it could give him a mental edge if they meet in the Melbourne final again.
Things Heat Up in Brisbane
In Brisbane today there were some interesting results as Raonic defeated Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and continues to look like a serious threat to the likes of Djokovic and Murray.
Wawrinka also came from a set down to defeat Edmund 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4 and Dimitrov continued his good form from last year with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over Thiem. Finally, Nishikori easily defeated Thompson 6-1, 6-1.
So we have Raonic vs Dimitrov and Wawrinka vs Nishikori in Brisbane which is a strong semis lineup for an ATP 250. Raonic is the defending champ after defeating Federer last year and he is probably the favorite to go all the way.
Highlights