Menu item #3 - Main Course: Novak v Andy

Andy Murray had come to this match behind a perfect Aussie summer, undefeated so far, including a tournament win in Brisbane. Novak Djokovic came into the tournament as the world's preeminent player and had done nothing to alter that classification. His taking apart of David Ferrer was disturbing, considering the form of the Spanish world number 5. The gulf exposed between the two was frightening.

Andy last played Novak here 12 months ago in the final that fizzed. This promised a whole lot better. Novak began with an easy service game hold thanks almost wholly to unforced mistakes from Andy. Not until the third point of Murray's first serve did some real tennis hit, when Murray won out after a long and entertaining rally. His mistakes which brought him to 15-40 must have been catching because Novak basically presented him with the rest of the game.

The shot making problems with which Novak had been temporarily beset extended into his second service game, and finally a couple of big serves cleared some of the air and saved a break point for the favourite. 2-1 to Djokovic.

Andy played a shocker, including missing an easy volley at the net then culminating in a double fault to go behind a break. Djokovic lad 40-15 and in cruise mode, but relaxed and let Andy back in the game, finally showing the touch and range of his previous matches this tournament. Novak lost the game with a scintillating Murray winner down the line. Back on serve 2-3 Andy.

The change of ends brought with it a change in fortunes as Andy served up a load of rubbish losing his serve badly. In reply, Djokovic laced an average game with a touch of magic from his forehand plus an ace to reach 5-2.

Andy Murray kept his part of the bargain and this time served a stronger game to force the number one seed to the line and win the set on his own serve. Several rallies full of decent shot making highlighted Novak's attempt to take his first step towards the final, and he delivered enough class to succeed in his attempt. One thing stood out - the Andy Murray from last year's final was long gone and the match would need to be won by Novak tonight not gift wrapped by the Scot and presented to him.

In the opening to set two, Andy relinquished his initial advantage of serving first in a generous gesture which Novak graciously acknowledged by holding his serve to lead 2-0. Murray then showed his maturity by scrambling out of danger to record his first scoreboard evidence of having been present for the second set. 2-1 to Novak.

Andy Murray played his best tennis for the night so far to pressure Djokovic into error and hit some great winners in his own right, levelling it at 2-2. To the strains of "Scotland The Brave" Andy Murray overtook Djokovic on the scoreboard for the first time 3-2 but still on serve. Speaking of serve, the Murray edition had started to make a significant impact, keeping Novak in areas of the court where his damage could be kept to a minimum.

No real surprise to see Andy Murray break again considering the way he was keeping the ball in play and mixing the shots up much in the Djokovic style. The point to bring up break point ended after a rally of about a thousand hits, possibly the point of the match. 4-2 Murray.

Unfortunately two double faults plus an improvement in Novak's choice of shot added up to an ill timed service break for Murray and we had 3-4 to Djokovic. 15-40 after two immense rallies in length and quality, one to each player. Murray broke for the third successive time and now was serving for one set each.

Saving two break points, on his way to taking the set 6-3 gave Murray reason to believe that another final was possible, even against the might of Djokovic. However, never underestimate the world's best, and no doubt the Scot would be the last to do that.

Novak escaped being broken for the fourth straight time but only by the skin of his teeth. Not so lucky the next time and Murray took the match lead by heading the number one seed 2-1. Novak appeared jaded and Andy hardly making a mistake either tacticly or technically.

The high rolling came cluttering to an end with a miserable service performance in the fifth for Novak to begin breathing again at 2-2. Novak survived more break points and a couple of nifty serves borrowed from a friend assisted him to find a way to the scoreline he had cherished for a full 5-10 minutes 3-2.

Neither player seemed too much bothered about touching the others serve for the next stanza and Murray continued the fun at 3-4. Nearing the end of the set, both players held their nerve and their serve and now Andy had to draw on his mental strength as he faced 4-5. Saving three set points with wonderful and courageous tennis Andy put the ball back in Novak's court (sort of) as the Serbian star served at 5-5.

Murray proved too solid for everything that Djokovic threw at him in the eleventh game and now the Scot would be given his chance to take the two sets to one advantage. 6-5. Too much too handle and now the tiebreak would have to arbitrate since the players couldn't agree on who should win the set in normal time.

The players called in to deputise for Murray and Djokovic while they had a rest did pretty well and after eleven points the decision handed down was in favour of the Scottish player; he now led the race to the 2012 Aus Open final 3-6 6-3 7-6.

Don't count out the Djoker or do so at your peril. He could yet lose this one, but breaking Murray in the first two service games that the Scot put together either side of convincingly holding one of his own, meant that a five set match became a distinct possibility if not a likelihood. When 4-0 ticked over after Novak smashed his way through another game, Andy needed to regroup, gather his thoughts and any other cliched actions that may assist in his fourth set recovery.

Holding serve completed step one in the rehabilitation. Taking advantage of a game winning position on the Djokovic serve would have been step two but he didn't. 5-1 to Novak.

By holding serve, Andy would avoid having to serve second in the advantage deciding set. He was broken to love with brilliant passing shots from the world's number one. Two sets all and Novak to serve first in the final set 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-1

Three exciting games to start the last set and each player had reason to be happy with the position Murray serving at 1-2. In the face of many good efforts by the returner, and more break points saved by Murray, we reached 2-3, and Andy again the specimen under the microscope.

Once more he was mighty under the most devilish pressure by Djokovic, saving still more break points, but went to the well just that one extra time to find a water restrictions sign had been erected, and he couldn't save himself. Djokovic led 4-2 which quickly in turn became 5-2.

5-3 and Djokovic serving for a match with Nadal. Not to be and back on serve 4-5 Murray.

5-5 and three break points saved by Djokovic - totally gripping stuff. Novak back from the brink this time and leading 6-5. Coming up to four hours fifty minutes for the match. Lucky it is the weekend.

Novak Djokovic did it once again, breaking Andy Murray in the 12th game to win the semi final 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-1 7-5 Andy Murray superb in defeat. Rafa v Novak for the third Grand Slam singles final in a row.