Australian Open 2012: Andy Murray Will Be No Match for Red-Hot Novak Djokovic

For anybody expecting a tremendous match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the Australian Open semifinals, I have some bad news for you. It's not going to happen. Djokovic will make quick work of the major-less Scottish star.

Djokovic has been in a remarkable zone for nearly a full year now and when he's playing with such precision, there isn't anybody on the planet who can slow him down.

The rivals have met 10 times with Djokovic coming out on top six times, although Murray did win their last meeting in Cincinnati during the US Open Series. That match occurred nearly five months ago, though, so it will have no effect on tomorrow's clash.

What has allowed Djokovic to go from fringe contender to the No. 1 spot is his amazing accuracy. He's been able to do it without giving up a single ounce of pace on his shots. That rare combination has left many opponents baffled.

As for Murray, he was really just born in the wrong era. He's a terrific talent, but just hasn't been able to muster enough firepower to keep up with Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It's a triumvirate unlike any other the sport has ever seen.

He recently hired Ivan Lendl to be his coach. It's a step in the right direction in bringing another dimension to his game, but the transformation won't happen quickly enough to knock off Djokovic down under. It's going to take some time.

And if there's one thing you don't have against the Serbian sensation, it's time. The ball is right back on your side of the court before you can blink. While Murray is one of tennis' best defensive players, chasing down Djokovic's shots is going to wear him down quickly.

That's another area where Djokovic doesn't get the credit he deserves–fitness. He forces his opponent to play a physical style and that gives him a major advantage in the fourth and fifth sets, on that rare occasion his foe actually takes a set or two.

It's tough enough to beat him in three-set matches, but when it's extended to five sets it has become virtually impossible. He simply has too many weapons. He forces his opponent to have an extraordinary performance—like Federer's at last year's French Open—to knock him off.

Unfortunately for Murray, he doesn't have that extra gear necessary to pull off the upset. Djokovic will move one step closer to defending his Aussie Open crown.