Australian Open 2012: Andy Murray Will Pull Epic Upset over Novak Djokovic

While everyone is calling Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer the "Semifinal of the Century," Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray might have something to say about that. 

Sure, Nadal and Federer have one of the best rivalries of all time.

Sure, they've faced each other a whopping 28 times, including nine times at Grand Slams with eight of those coming in the Final.

Sure, they're No. 2 and No. 3 in the world, and likely No. 1 and No. 2 in most people's hearts.

OK, forget it. Nadal-Federer is the "Semifinal of the Century." These two aren't supposed to face each other until the finals. This is going to be one for the ages.

I concede.

Nonetheless, don't automatically dismiss Djokovic-Murray. Because if you do, you going are to miss an epic upset by the Brit. 

Before you cast me off because you think I'm clinically insane, at least hear me out.

Andy Murray is playing some of the best tennis of his career right now. We've heard that before, right? But actually, he is. He started off the year with an impressive tournament win at Brisbane as he rolled through good players such as Bernard Tomic and Alexandr Dolgopolov. 

After starting the Australian Open by losing a set to Ryan Harrison, Murray has won 15 straight sets with relative ease. By way of upsets, he has had a relatively easy route to the semis, but that just means he hasn't had to exert himself.

On the other side of the net, the Djoker hasn't exactly looked like his normal self. This is his first tournament of 2012, so he could be a little rusty. He dropped a set against Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round and looked beatable against David Ferrer, although he won in straight sets.

Let's not get carried away here. This is Novak freaking Djokovic. He was likely just toying with those opponents. He is, after all, the No. 1 player in the world and coming off one of the most dominating seasons ever.

It's going to take a a perfect match to beat him.

If anyone has shown the capability to do that, though, it's Murray. In 10 matches between the two, Murray has won four, including a decisive win in their last match at the Western & Southern Open.

Furthermore, Murray has won four of the last five hard-court battles, although the one loss came in the Finals at Australia last year, where Djokovic dominated.

Despite the fact that he still hasn't won a Major, I think the pressure is off Murray.

He is expected to lose this match and that is going to work in his favor. He's going to have to serve better than he did against Kei Nishikori, and it's going to take a monumental, almost-perfect performance.

But it's not like we're talking about Donald Young, here. Murray is No. 4 in the world and he's shown in the past he can hang with Djokovic. 

And hang he will. Murray in five exciting sets. Take that, Nadal-Federer.