Murray, Djokovic finally grab the Grand Slam spotlight

Scot Andy Murray takes to the big stage of the Australian Open final Sunday as he faces Serbian Novak Djokovic without the shadows of tennis giants Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer looming over the proceedings.

With his third crack at a Grand Slam final, the number five Scot is totally concerned with taking his chances to finally win a major title after losing his first pair to Federer. Murray booked his place after nearly four hours and four sets of tennis, beating Spain’s hard man David Ferrer in their semi-final.

Djokovic, seeded third, had an extra day of rest after knocking out Federer Thursday in straight sets. Murray and Djokovic have not played since April 2009 and have never met in a Slam. The Serb holds a 4-3 lead in the series.

Murray is totally concentrating on his preparation. “If people thought it was better for the game if Roger and Rafa were in the final, then I’m not really bothered. It’s better for me if I’m in the final.”

Some observers are marking this Open as the moment when the power shifted. But Murray isn’t ready for that kind of prediction. “Those two have been great for the sport, and I’m sure they’ll continue to be for the next six, seven years, however long they’re both playing.

“But from a personal point of view, I’d rather be in the final than be watching Roger and Rafa at home playing again.”

The match will be the first Grand Slam final not to feature either Federer or Nadal since the 2008 Australian Open and is only the second final in 23 majors where both the Swiss and Spaniard are missing.

Murray has quiet pressure all his own, not having won a Slam while Djokovic collected the Melbourne title in 2008. The Scot also knows that no British man has won a major since 1936, with the last British champion in Australia dating to 1934.

“I don’t want to get myself so amped up that I play a stinker of a match,” said Murray. “If you go in thinking that no one’s won for 60 years, I might never get another chance.

“I’m going to make the most of the opportunity, for sure. I’ll give 110 percent. But I also need to make sure I’m relaxed and calm on the court. I don’t want to get myself too worked up.

“I expect a very tough match. I’m not expecting Novak, just because he’s lost the last (three) times, to hand the match to me. I’m going to have to work incredibly hard.”

Djokovic comes into the Sunday rising contest with confidence from not only his performances over the fortnight but also from Serbia’s historic Davis Cup title from last month.

“The Davis Cup was confidence boost,” said the 23-year-old Serb born within a week of Murray. “It was a historical success. It’s one of the nicest moments I ever experienced on the tennis court as a professional ever in my career.

“To be able to have that in the back of your mind is a big advantage coming into the season.”

Djokovic is contesting his second straight Grand Slam final after losing the US Open to Nadal. He’s playing Melbourne for the seventh straight year, going out in the quarter-finals at the last two editions.

“I try not to analyse that too much. It’s a finals of a Grand Slam, and it’s really unpredictable what’s happening in that match,” said Djokovic. “Both of us will give the maximum effort to win the title.”