Australian Open: Djokovic ready to be pushed to limit by Murray in the final

After a long five-setter against 17-times Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, Andy Murray has deservedly booked his place on Sunday’s face-off against his old rival Novak Djokovic. In contrast to Djokovic’s semi-final match up with Ferrer, which seemed like a complete walkover for the world number one, Murray had to battle his way past Federer in a match that lasted over three hours.

However Djokovic is confident that, despite Andy’s tough route to the final, he will be pumped up to challenge the defending champion.

“Andy, yes, he has played a five set match against Roger,” said Djokovic. “But aside that, he hasn’t been really tested the whole tournament. And also he’s considered as one of the physically strongest and fittest guys around. So I’m sure he’s going to be fit for the final.”

Djokovic, who is eyeing to become the first man in the Open Era to win the Australian Open for third consecutive time, considers his rivalry with Andy Murray as “special”.

“We know each other since we were 11, 12 years old. I guess that adds something very special to our rivalry.

“As we developed, of course we improved our games, we improved as athletes, as people, and it’s nice, you know, to see somebody that you grew up with doing so well,” continued Djokovic.

“We push each other to the limit physically, mentally, emotionally, and that’s why we have a great rivalry in this moment,” concluded the 5-times grand slam champion.

Andy Murray also has a bit of history in his sight as the 25 year-old could become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1934 to win the Australian Open. If Murray was to go on and defeat the Serb and take the title, it would make him the most successful British male player in Grand Slam history.

Murray has had an outstanding 2012, by winning the Olympic gold and his first Grand Slam title in the States, and has expressed to be happy with his current form and, regardless of his position as the underdog going into the final, he’s confident to play his best tennis.

“I played a very good final at Wimbledon, then the Olympics, the US Open was very good and now here, so I need to make sure I maintain that form.”

Umida Ibrahimova, sports correspondent