Djokovic and Azarenka set stunning pace

As we begin to start the serious part of Indian Wells, the undisputed world's best male tennis player and maybe the current best female player (if not, certainly part of a duo way above the rest) have yet to experience defeat in 2013.

Nothing new for the pair - Vika began her 2012 with victories in Sydney, the Australian Open, Doha and Indian Wells, while Novak in 2011 blitzed everyone, especially Nadal, on his way to Roland Garros without a mark on his record.  These two players have the art of consistency ingrained in their game, and have proved that they should be favourites once again to take home the Masters and Premier titles on offer at Indian Wells.

Just a few statistics on Djokovic in his relatively few outings this year:

This is only his third tournament of the year.  He won 12 matches to capture his fourth Australian Open and his third Dubai event, 5 of those against top ten players.  The player ranked number two in the world is the great Roger Federer.  He had played 3 tournaments in 2013 prior to Indian Wells, and played  13 matches, only three of those against top ten players, with only the one success (Tsonga in the Aus Open quarters).  That illustrates the gap that Djokovic has managed to eke out between himself and the rest.  Of course Nadal is seeded to play Federer in the quarter finals and either of those players is still equipped to bring Novak's run to an end, if Andy  Murray hasn't already done it in the semis.  However, these days any win by the others in the "fab four" against Novak is deemed an upset.

Vika Azarenka has had her problems against Serena Williams, but not against any other female player during her glittering run since the beginning of 2012.  Safe to say that the WTA rankings merely caught up with reality when Serena displaced Azarenka at the top of the list.  The WTA rankings never pretend to proclaim that the woman with the most points is the "best" player in the world.  How can that be the case when undoubtedly by all valued measures, Serena Williams when fit and playing has been that virtually throughout her stellar career?

The irony of Vika surrendering her lead in the ranking points table, is that she did it in the same week that she overcame the Williams curse and said to the world "I can now beat anyone, all things being equal."

Serena in my opinion still deserves her title of world's finest player, but as this year rolls on, the Azarenka claim may become more deserving, especially if she keeps winning relentlessly in the style of Djokovic.  Each battle between Serena and Vika is now as eagerly awaited as any "head to head" in female tennis since Henin and Williams, Clijsters and Williams or Williams and Williams.  

Barthel shakes off Aus Open blues

Germany's Mona Barthel began 2012 in style winning in Hobart and with other promising results appeared set to become one of her nation's top players.  However, things stalled somewhat for her, and she ended the year ranked 39 after reaching a career high of 31 in April.

Again this year Hobart proved kind, and while not repeating the victory, her effort to make the final was worthy of praise.  Melbourne Park saw a first round departure, losing in three to Pervak, and we may well have dismissed Mona from our list of players to watch for the time being.

However, the work ethic of all the German WTA players is a credit to them, and in Paris, Mona combined this with her undenied talent to sweep aside her opposition, including world number six Sara Errani in a most impressive final performance.

Now back in the top 30 at a new personal high of 28, the promise of early 2012 is ready to be realised in a big way for Mona Barthel in 2013.

Novak v Andy - writing another chapter

Last time they met here, Murray gave Djokovic a five set work out before falling in a semi final. Later in 2012, Murray edged the world number one in semi finals in Dubai and at the Olympics, but in finals, Djokovic won in Miami and Shanghai, while Murray broke through with his epic US Open win.  The final clash was at the season ending Championships where Djokovic beat all comers including Murray on the way to the final.

The form of both as they forged respective paths to this year's Aus Open final has been terrific, with Murray dominant over Federer but not able to put him away earlier than five sets.  Djokovic on the other hand was playing in another universe from David Ferrer when he gave us a demonstration of the best three sets of tennis by an individual seen on this court in a long time.

My pick for the title from the start has been the world's best player and top seed Novak Djokovic, and nothing has happened in two weeks to change that selection.  It would not surprise to see Andy Murray greet the judge, but at their best I still believe Novak has the slight but diminishing edge.

After winning the toss, Murray gave Djokovic the honour of serving first, hoping to take advantage of early nerves.  After a rifled forehand Murray winner , Djokovic answered with an ace and a backhand winner to easily hold the opening game.  Three ground strokes hit long showed that Djokovic had still to find his range, and Murray equalled at 1-1.
A couple of drives by Djokovic to Murray's backhand proved relaxing and he put the car back in the garage with two forced errors.  Even a Murray forehand winner received an ace in reply and Novak led 2-1.

A Murray overhead to start and ace to finish made it 2-2, and in the first decent rally of the match in game 5 Murray won out, the error coming off the Novak racquet.  Other mistakes brought him to an unwanted deuce before finally a new rally of the match was won with a stunning Djokovic backhand winner down the line and the game was safe.

The sixth game was all about catch up for Murray right from the first cross court forehand winner from Djokovic and saving multiple break points the third seed won himself a moral victory - games were 3-3.

At 15-15 in game seven, Novak's diving stretch forehand to ultimately win a point all but gone was magical and gave him massive momentum to run out that game to lead 4-3.
Murray saved another break point thanks to a great serve and based the eventual winning of the game on more of the same from the line. 4-4.

As the set neared its conclusion the standard of shot making hit a flat spot with nearly all points decided on errors in the ninth game.  A rare exception was the ace Djokovic served to win the game and edge to 5-4, asking Andy to serve to stay alive in the set.

Murray held firm behind a couple of good serves and the set lingered on.  A fine forehand winner highlighted a Djokovic service game where he continually pushed Murray wide to his backhand side.
5-6 and tie break likely.  At 15-30, Djokovic committed some uncharacteristic unforced errors and we did have the tie break.

Double fault from Djokovic unacceptable but Murray enjoyed it.  So much so that he hit a forehand winner to celebrate 2-0.  This became 4-0 after two Djokovic mistakes long, and things looked bleak for the top seed.  On the board eventually after a long rally, Novak, who for much of the set had looked the stronger and more likely to break serve, still appeared certain to be down a set.  Murray had played a Federer-like tie break and hardly made a mistake.  6-1 and running hot.

Nothing miraculous happened for the top seed and the first set was Murray's 7-6 (7-2).
Now the come back capabilities of Djokovic would be put to the test once more.  In general play he was creating opportunities, but now he had to deal with the momentum that Murray had harnessed.

The opening game of Set 2 showed that Murray was now willing to attack more in the vein of the
Federer match and that narrowed the opportunities for Djokovic to push the Scot around the baseline.
Easy hold for a 1-0 lead.  The deflation from dropping the first set reflected in the shot selection and execution of Djokovic which for the moment had slipped slightly enough to have him in trouble even on serve.  Three break points to Murray.  Slowly the champion scratched and clawed his way to the temporary safety of deuce.  A couple of clean winners assisted him over the line and his serving record remained intact.  1-1 and no small amount of drama.

Not even a clean forehand return winner could faze Murray whose serve now took on the untouchable look that it picked up in the semi final.  2-1
Andy was returning the Novak serve quite well now but he couldn't do much with the aces.  Novak needed a few more of them because he still was taken to deuce.  A rare netted forehand then a forced backhand long gave Novak an escape to 2-2.

Andy was winning the extended rallies with the frustration apparent in Novak's court demeanour, now less than super cool.  Aces acted as bookends to the game which gave Andy 3-2.
A far more impressive serving exhibition from Novak plus better choice of shot placement proved a better method of levelling the game score 3-3.

Despite a double fault Andy sailed along to another service hold with a suite of Novak errors on board. 4-3.  Two Murray forehands, one a winner, the other into the net, plus some fine Djokovic net play set things up for a 4-4 score.

Again a double fault at 40-0 did nothing to stop the juggernaut into which the Murray serve had now developed.  Djokovic now had to hold to stay in the set.
A Murray forehand passing winner had a big serve reply followed by another and 30-15.  The Djokovic backhand down the line was not a clean winner but it deserves the same accolade if not more.  Games were 5-5 but what else would you expect from these two?

At 15-15 Andy found an ace in his back pack which worked a treat, and enabled him to find his way to 6-5.  A forehand volley winner from Andy at the net was a surprise and not a welcome one for Novak.  He responded appropriately with good serve and follow up shots to pressure Andy into mistakes until he himself blundered with a double fault.  He found some reliable tennis in his bag of tricks to move away from 30-30 and force a second tie break.

Novak began this tiebreak much better, winning both his opening two points on serve.  Then inexplicably Murray double faulted leaving the window slightly open for Djokovic.
4-2 at the change of ends with another Novak serve to come following the Murray shot wide.
A service this time which Andy could only put into the base of the net.  After a short point which Andy won, Novak claimed bragging rights after winning the long one for 6-3 and three set points, two on his own delivery.  He only needed one.  The second set to Djokovic after Murray had looked the better throughout 7-6 (7-3). One set all and this was just about to script.

The Andy Murray medical time out was not in my forecast of how the match might play out.
Wonder what that is about?

Not much at all I'd suggest and back to what really matters - the third set, and the Djokovic opener.
Except for one point where Murray capitalised after pushing Djokovic wide with an overhead winner, the top seed cruised with a couple of aces and a generally fine service game.
Although Murray had two points taken from his serve, he never appeared troubled and games were 1-1 and still no service breaks in the match.
Djokovic continued the service dominance to lead 2-1 and the ground strokes of both players also stayed in the elite class.

Both players held with ease until we reached 3-3.  Errors, the second one long from Murray, gave Djokovic 30-0 before a backhand cross court winner was a better performer for Scotland.  Djokovic threw in a backhand thriller of his own to give himself a couple of points for 4-3 and he did it thanks to an amazing (for all but Novak I guess) defensive lob.

A long rally which the players contributed at this point to enable patrons to top up with refreshments, ended with a Djokovic forehand then a sharp backhand volley forced Murray to hit wide and the third seed face 0-30.  A forehand winner set up off a great return gave Djokovic 3 break points, the first two which he wasted with poor execution.  The break did come though, courtesy of a Murray netted forehand.

5-3 to Djokovic who had just achieved the first break of serve for the match.

The next game was almost textbook - service winner, backhand down the line setting up forehand volley put away, another service winner to create three set points.  The first was used, and the defending champion won 6-3 to lead two sets to one.

Andy Murray, in trying to keep pace early in the fourth set, found it difficult as he saw another backhand winner from Djokovic pass by to take it to 0-30, but a big serve dragged a point back.  Novak's returning and retrieval were becoming an even greater concern than normal.  Fortunately Andy clipped the baseline to have it back to 30-30, and a superb volley dug him out of a small hole at deuce. 1-0.

A loose shot by Djokovic didn't make him feel too well at 0-30 but Andy gave him some first aid with 2 poor shots, one way long.  However, a second wide shot from Djokovic gave Murray a break point, fleeting though the moment was.  An uncontrolled return off a big serve saw to that.  Another great serve wasn't spoiled by a wide forehand, instead complemented by a sizzling winner from that side, and the third of a trio of timely serves elicited an illegal return and games were 1-1.

An excellent return from Djokovic had Murray sprawling and the scoreboard changing to 15-15, and the double fault made it 15-30.  Murray's pain grew with Djokovic's commanding forehand down the line winner.  A big serve save one break point but Murray clearly grimaced despite the success.  Could he be in some injury trouble?  We should soon know because Djokovic is the best player to move an opponent around the court sufficiently to test a possible injury.
The second break point was not saved after Andy netted a backhand following a searching long rally.  With the first service break of the set, Novak led 2-1 with a serve to come.

A poor drop shot attempt by Djokovic hit the top of the net and fell over for a lucky point to someone somewhere.  Following a wide backhand, the ace came in handy to stretch the advantage to 30-15.  A long forehand from Novak kept Andy interested.  Djokovic's stress left after a netted forehand and a long return from the Murray racquet.  3-1 in the fourth to Novak.

A backhand beauty down the line left Andy stranded and at 0-15.  Two Serbian backhand failures allowed Murray to retrieve the situation to 30-30 but still in bother. At 40-30 a good smash from Novak led Andy to a wild forehand and deuce.  Gaining a game point (decent serve), deuce was revisited after Djokovic tested Murray with a drop shot, but he could not keep it in play despite reaching it in time.

Another awesome defensive lob kept Djokovic in the point and  ultimately he won the exchange to have break point.  A tragic double fault left the writing clearly on the wall for all to see .  Djokovic 4-1.

Two errors and Djokovic was 0-30; not wanting to waste the luxury of a double break he hit a forehand winner for 30-30 despite missing regularly with his first serve.  When he landed one it was good and the backhand volley was put away as a consequence.  With the Murray netted ground stroke Djokovic was a game away from his fourth Aus Open.

Not worrying too much about Murray's service game, Djokovic still played a delightful deft backhand at the net and later a forehand blinder to keep in shape ready to serve for the title at 5-2.

Losing the first two points due to the efforts of Andy Murray - the backhand for 0-30 was sublime - Djokovic steadied and with the first championship point Murray found the net with his backhand.

Novak Djokovic had won his fourth Australian Open 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2 and become the first male player in the Open Era to win it three times in succession.

The world number one undoubtedly is that with exclamation marks added, while Andy Murray and he will continue to battle in finals at the highest level.  Tonight was not quite right for Andy but the gap between his and Novak's respective best tennis has reduced markedly in the past 18 months.

Aussie wild cards land the Mixed title

Two unseeded teams made it through to the final of the Mixed Doubles and Australia was represented which is always a bonus, especially this year with the singles disappointments of our players.  Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden certainly did not allow that individual let down interfere with the success of their doubles combination, knocking over the second seeds on the way.  The opposition today came from the Czech Republic represented by Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak.  Neither partnership had won a Grand Slam Mixed title before although Lucie had shared the 2011 Women's Doubles spoils at Roland Garros.

The first five games included all the nerves that one should expect from players fighting for a piece of Grand Slam silverware, and a break apiece contributed to a 3-2 lead for the Australians with the Cermak serve to come.

A series of errors from the Aussies helped the Czech Republic pair even the match at 3-3 before Gajdosova introduced some winning tennis with a quality off  forehand pass at the net and an ace to seal her serve and keep the lead but this time at 4-3.

The Australians grabbed the initiative assisted in a major way by some long Czech backhands and a double fault form Hradecka. 5-3 and serving for a one set advantage.

Two aces from Ebden made the job easier than might have been and with the first set won at 6-3, one giant step had been made towards the trophy by he and Jarmila.

Cermak served to open Set 2 and not at all convincingly began with a double fault.  Poor backhand returns, one from each Australian, who were sharing the poor shots well, put the advantage back with Frantisek, but Ebden's forehand lob winner set up a break point which Cermak celebrated with another double fault, ending the game the way he began it, and putting the Czech team a break down.

Ebden consolidated, interrupting the errors with an occasional ace and overhead winner to extend the lead to 2-0, placing great pressure on Lucie who was up next.
She responded well, throwing in an ace before locking away the game with a slashing cross court backhand winner.

Jarmila served and held strongly thanks to volley winners both back and forehand from Ebden, and an ace from Jarmila.  3-1 Australia.

A key game from the Cermak serve could have sealed the fate of the match as it reached deuce after an errant volley, but it was saved and the score was 2-3.
Similarly the next Ebden serve could have gone against serve after looking comfortable at 40-15.
In the end Australia survived from deuce to lead 4-2.

The games on the Hradecka and Gajdosova serves also went to deuce, Lucie benefitting from two Aussie errors to save a break point, but Jarmila suffering the brilliance of Lucie's backhand to lose her serve and games were 4-4.

The Czech team lifted and took the scoreboard lead in the set with Frantisek holding serve for 5-4.
Ebden finally put a stop to the bleeding, and the Australians drew level again at 5-5, errors from the opposition gladly accepted.

At 30-30 in the eleventh game Lucie double faulted, and when she netted on the following point, the match was suddenly in the hands of the Australian team, specifically on the racquet of Jarmila Gajdosova as she prepared to serve at 6-5.

Three successive errors made the task appear simple for Jarmila with 40-0.  However a slashing groundstroke from Cermak forcing a mistake from the Aussies then a double fault made 40-30 seem a whole lot tighter.  Thankfully when Jarmila had missed her first serve on the next point, her second serve ended with a shot hit long by the Czech team.

The Aussies had won 6-3 7-5 and began smiling for an indefinite period to come.

Bryan Brothers grab Aus Open number 6

The Mens Doubles final had as one of its teams the American Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, which these days and for many days now, tends to be a given in Grand Slam tournaments.
Beaten last year in the final here, the top seeds were hot favourites over a Dutch pair playing as a team for the first time at Grand Slam level.

It was appropriate that Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling be in the final of the Aus Open, an event where the most famous and successful team from that country - Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis - had this year entertained fans in the Legends Doubles.

No expectations were placed on the unseeded combination and they were able to swing freely from the start, effecting a surprise break on the left handed Bob's opening serve to lead 1-0.

The unforced errors from the twins in that game were the last to be seen for the night as we treated to an almost flawless exhibition from the soon to be statistically most successful mens doubles combination at Grand Slam level, passing Newcombe and Roche.

Volleying superbly, the top seeds were able to rectify the problem immediately and force themselves on top in the match.  With both teams hitting plenty of winners the difference came with the knowledge of where to be on court both in relation to the opponents and especially partner.  Naturally the Bryans had a huge advantage virtually knowing what each other is about to do with a tennis racquet, how and from where.

In a flash 0-1 was 3-1 and a the break advantage was with the Americans.

The rest of the set played out on serve, and the crowd were treated to great doubles - the brothers' work had been done and serving out at 5-3 not a difficult ask.

Immediately breaking the Dutch pair in the second set was the goal and the top seeds achieved that one too on a night which was providing everything they wished for.

More winners, no sign of an unforced error, and amazing success on serve proved irresistable, and ultimately too much for Robin and Igor who battled manfully but were only ever destined for runner-up glory.

Number 13 Grand Slam doubles title (an incredible 6 Aus Opens among them) for the Bryans who now seek to win a second French Open, the only Grand Slam event which they have failed to win more than once.

Winner to move to 2 GS Singles Titles

Ok here we are about to witness the Women's Singles final for 2013 and I am hearing commentator after commentator selecting Li Na on the basis of Victoria Azarenka not doing the 'right thing' one game from the finish on the way to a straight sets win over Sloane Stephens.

Well that was over 48 hours ago.  Azarenka is fully fit, is a better all round player, is the defending champion, who also knows how to destroy Maria Sharapova on this court (and that was in a final), and has won the last four battles over Li Na, 3 of those on hard courts.

This final will be decided not by who is the crowd favourite.  Roger Federer may have had the lion's share of support in his semi final with the sum result that he had more shoulders to cry on once he lost.

So call my selection outlandish but I am basing it on tennis and am picking the top seed and defending champion who also reached the final of the last contested Grand Slam tournament, and pushed the great Serena Williams to the limit.  Azarenka has only lost one set early this tournament and has not been faced with a set point since.

Of course the final should provide the contest we did not receive last year because Li Na always gives her all and she has plenty to donate, both heart and skill.  There is room for an upset, but it would require a form reversal from Azarenka.

As the players arrived on court, the greetings were loudly pro Li Na as predicted, but thankfully not overtly negative towards Victoria Azarenka, polite applause or silence indicating the feelings of many people.

Li Na served first.   A double fault was not the ideal first point but the forehand down the line winner steadied her nerves, before Azarenka won the early battle of ground strokes to break a tight struggle and lead 1-0.

The errors continued in the second game and another serve was broken, not due to anything special from the returner, whereas game three gave us initial signs that we were watching a Grand Slam tournament final.  Li Na played a forehand winner to end a fine rally which seemed to trigger both girls into playing some decent tennis, and Li Na to finally do enough to take a 2-1 lead to the sit down.

After engaging in ball bashing for a few points, Li Na caressed a forehand up the line past a bemused Azarenka to set up break points in the fourth game, the first of which she converted for a 3-1 lead.  After reaching 30-30 following a slashing backhand down the line, Azarenka had to return the first serve of Li Na consistently.  However, the sixth seed sprayed too many ground strokes and lost her way and the serve.

Loose shots by Vika together with a fine backhand return by Li and another down the line for a winner and the break gave her the edge again 4-2.  Having seen her excellent serving percentages, Li decided it was about time to take advantage of them and she did by running Vika ragged in the next game to consolidate the break for 5-2.  Semi final form was being brought to court for the big one so far.

Adrenalin seemed to assist a few of Li Na's shots long in Vika's next service game and that outweighed the good placement on others which was clearly worrying the top seed.  5-3.
Serving for the set was proven again to be one of the most difficult tasks assigned a player, with Li Na soon at 0-40.  One point was saved with a great winner, but too little too late and we were back on serve with Vika serving to stay in the set 4-5.

Unfortunately the set was lost on a double fault, but before that we had a forehand winner from Li off a second serve from Vika, a forehand approach and follow up volley from Vika to save a set point, and another forehand winner from Li to give her a set point.  It was the best quality game of the match, with the most disappointing method of finish.  6-4 to Li Na.

Game one of Set 2 reverted to errors as the prime means of point decision for both players.  Li Na appeared to want to provide less of the poor shots but in the end was over generous and it cost her the serve, and Vika led 1-0.  Then for the first time Azarenka took a clear advantage despite the constant winners from Li Na.  Luckily for the top seed, these had been interspersed recently with several errors and it was finally an Azarenka gem touching the line but not the Li racquet that won her the game and 2-0.

The third game saw glimpses of the all court game from Vika, and Li Na being pushed wide on both sides, as another serve form the Chinese star was dropped.  3-0 Azarenka.

Those glimpses fast became a distant memory; Vika was all at sea serving for a big lead, instead being broken for a more manageable (for Li) 3-1 advantage.  At 30-15 on the Li Na serve Azarenka looked to have won the point by wrong footing Li behind the base line.  However, immediately it was obvious that the sudden movement had done serious damage to the ankle area of her left foot.  Li took weight of the leg and we thought the worst.

She took to the court again with some serious strapping and we awaited nervously.  40-30 after she negotiated the first point post injury with a winner.  The next point ditto.  3-2 Azarenka and maybe the extent of the injury short term would not be an inhibiting factor.  One could only hope.

Vika played the first 3 points of the next game as if she was the one injured before realising that she hadn't been and rattled off some fine shots including brilliant recoveries, to hold serve and lead 4-2.
Two successive double faults had Li at 15-40 and in danger of going down a double break.  Vika helped her find her way back to deuce which inspired a backhand passing shot from the sixth seed's racquet followed by another into open court for the service hold.  Azarenka now up 4-3.

Azarenka had regrouped a little from a dangerous position on serve before pursuing this preoccupation with the drop shot that all top players seem to have. It was a disaster, and have Li break points of which she used one and brought games back to 4-4.

Not even a beautiful forehand winner from Li Na in the ninth game could cover up the cracks made with a plethora of errors all over the court which together negated all the previous good work and gave Vika the chance to level the match.

Victoria Azarenka served out the set 6-4 and we had a third set decider to come.  Li Na's foot now appeared to be alright and not in need of surgery or replacement.  It may have just been a bruise to a toe nail.

The third set began with two breaks of very nervous serving efforts before Li Na safely held on before the Australia Day fireworks untimely delay.  Then it was fireworks of the Li Na kind as at 15-0 on Vika's serve the sixth seed crashed to the ground hitting her head hard.
As we should expect that would be insufficient to stop the warrior and she fought off the medicos to come back and even achieve break point, Vika denying that one and proceeding to 2-2.

Azarenka now appeared to have the measure of Li Na's serve and was at least her equal around the court once the rallies commenced.  Another break arrived and Vika took the advantage to 3-2.

A couple of errors by Li Na contributed to a comfortable hold by Azarenka in the sixth game and she eked the lead out to 4-2 with the title ever closer.  Li kept within a single break by holding in the seventh highlighted by further winners from both sides.

In the eighth game, Li Na had Azarenka at 0-30 and 30-40 before the top seed fired in her best quality tennis to drive home the final points of the game and at 5-3 be touching distance now from 2 of these titles in succession.

In the ninth game, Li Na serving, The sixth seed played backhand winners to move from 0-15 to 30-15 and then at 40-30 she committed a trio of unforced errors and the match was over.

The 2013 Womens Singles Champion was the defending champion Victoria Azarenka in 3 sets over a battered and bruised but still smiling and gallant Li Na 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Vika will retain her number one ranking by virtue of the win, leading marginally over new number two Serena Williams, while Sharapova drops to three.  Li Na moves up to five, but gains enough points to be a serious challenger to Radwanska at four later this year.

Battle of last 2 GS title winners in 2nd semi

Roger Federer has won only one Grand Slam title (and made one other final) since his last Aus Open victory in 2010.  In that time Novak Djokovic has won four and made three other finals (not including this year) while Rafa Nadal has won five and made three other finals.  Little wonder Roger is hungry for success here in 2013.

His opponent in tonight's semi final, Andy Murray has made the past two Grand Slam tournament finals, losing to Federer at Wimbledon and defeating Djokovic at the US Open for his maiden major victory.  In many respects Murray deserves at least equal favouritism for the semi final here; his exploits at Grand Slam level are on the increase while Roger's have waned, Wimbledon last year aside.

However, let us throw the stats and recent history out the window because judging this match on what we have seen so far this tournament is the best method.  Federer managed to defeat Tsonga in what was probably the best match of the tournament to date, and he did that even though the better tennis was arguably played by the French talent.  It proves as it has countless times through Federer's career that he can find a way to gather his best and apply it on the key points.  For the two tie breaks against Tsonga, Federer was focused more than at any other stage of the match.  Hopefully Tsonga will learn from that.

Murray is further advanced in the focus stakes and Roger would require all his unmatched powers of concentration to match it with the third seeded Scot.

No secret about the respective basic tactics employed from the very start with Andy Murray prepared to attack to create his opportunities while Roger Federer preferred a more defensive risk mitigation strategy attempting to draw Murray into error.

Together an attractive tennis match was supplied, and as early as the second Roger Federer service game the proactive Murray reaped rewards.  His variety of shot making set up multiple break points following one which was saved by a Federer winner in the opening game.

This time Federer could only escape three before being forced into a mistake by Murray who now led 2-1.

Federer could not convert his chance in the following game as Murray saved with an ace, continuing his healthy output of winners.

Federer appeared to have no answer to Murray's game, and made no discernible adjustment where necessary to his own, having to fight off more break points in the seventh game to avoid being down 5-2 with Murray serving for the set.  That he did says volumes for his mental fortitude and ability to respond under extreme pressure.

However, Murray kept persisting and with winners off both sides again in the eighth game he led 5-3.  Federer could only do what was within his direct control and that was hold serve which he did comfortably, but he could not prevent Murray from serving out the set and confirming an impressive start to the semi final.  Of concern apart from the obvious loss of the set must have been Federer's failure to win enough points on his first serve, something that Murray was able to rely on as a weapon with a good percentage of legal first deliveries.

Whereas Federer had to deal with a number of break points in the opening set, the second set was notable for its complete absence of one for either player.  The set was played on the server's terms and the number of winners was high, Roger lifting his rate in this area as well.  Nothing could prevent the need for a tie break and Murray must have been aware of Federer's success with these deciders especially at this Aus Open.

Federer lost the first point on his own serve, then Murray joined in losing the next two on his, all with nervous mistakes.  Federer maintained the mini break until at 4-3 his backhand failed and it was 4-4.  Murray at 4-5 held one of his serves for 5-5 but a Federer backhand winner set up set point which the Swiss star swallowed gleefully.
 
One set all and the tie break king reigns still.

Murray served first in the third and angry from his failure in the previous set used the energy to good effect with a strong serving display.  His first serve percentage was reasonable but it didn't matter because Federer made no impact on his second delivery whenever it was needed.  Federer, however, could not string a decent set of first serves together, and when he missed he was easy fodder for Murray who won most times on the second ball.

Murray could not press his serving advantage into scoreboard pressure for most of the set but at 2-3 the number two seed did face break points, one of which he side stepped successfully before crashing to a 2-4 deficit.

The next few games were flushed with winners, but even though Federer could claim a relatively easy hold in game eight, both the seventh and ninth were just as simple for Murray, with two aces in both, the final one finishing the set 6-3.

Now Federer needed five sets as he did against Tsonga in the previous match.

The potency of the Murray first serve dissipated in the fourth set, as Federer managed to win quite a few points off it, and in doing so lifted the competitiveness of his whole game.  Murray missed out on a chance for an early break due to a Federer forehand winner which helped the second seed gain a 1-0 lead.

Murray played a shocker in the fourth game with three terrible shots setting up as many break points for Federer.  Two were saved with Murray retribution in the form of an ace and a heavy ground stroke, but he blew the comeback with another failed forehand and Federer had a 3-1 advantage with serve in hand.

At 4-2 and 30-15 on his own serve Federer appeared to be sailing smoothly, but forehand winners from Murray highlighted a string of points which ended with him up breaking back for 3-4 and with a chance to level the set.

The eighth game lasted several deuces and Federer had a break point which would have given him a chance to serve for the set.  However, Murray ground his way to the end of the game and 4-4 was the result.

At 5-5, Federer repeated Murray's fourth game disaster with a trio of errors of his own creation.  The break for 6-5 in Murray's favour appeared to be the final nail, with the Scot's serve to come.

At 30-15 the finish line could be almost touched but Federer attacked hard for one of the few times in the match and it broke through Murray's defence, winning three straight points for the break and 6-6.
Tie break territory in which Federer revels and which Murray sometimes can lose his bearings.

Federer dominated the tie break, never giving the rattled Murray a look in.  Centimetres from victory the third seed now had to face up to a fifth set;  the only good news was that he would be first to serve.

For the final set, Murray switched his serving efficiency back on and he was once again impregnable on both first and second attempts.  Federer immediately was vulnerable, relying on second serve almost half the time and failing to win with it most of those times.

Additionally the errors all over the court contributed to a difference between the players while not truly representative of the gap over the entire match, certainly was a better reflection of the dominance of Murray than the five set win about to occur.  That result would owe more to Federer's unequalled skill to take the tiniest opening and yank it wide open into a game or set winning scenario, than to a particularly close on court contest.

Andy Murray won the semi final, his first win over Roger Federer in a Grand Slam tournament, and the score will always read 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-2.

The final will be between the two who contested the last Grand Slam tournament final - the 2012 US Open, and indeed the two most successful players at Grand Slam level of the past year - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.