Australian Open 2012: Why Novak Djokovic Will Advance to the Final

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will take on the court this Friday morning at 3:30 am (EST) in a rematch of last year’s final, which was won by the Serbian, and for a spot in this year’s championship match of the Australian Open.

Andy Murray did exactly what he had to do hiring Ivan Lendl as his full-time coach. He definitely needs this kind of help if he is to win his first major in the Djokovic/Federer/Nadal era.

The Brit lost his first set in the tournament—against Ryan Harrison in the first round—but hasn’t lost another one ever since. He looks sharp, confident and eager to take the next step toward becoming a major champion.

Novak Djokovic is showing the kind of form that took him to the top of the rankings last year. Although he had a tougher draw than Murray en route to the semifinal, facing Lleyton Hewitt and David Ferrer, he took care of every opponent with the authority of a true champ. He has shown no signs of weakness and is sending a message that he is more than ready to defend the title.

The obvious reason why Djokovic will advance to the final is simply because he has been the best player in the world for the last 12 months and is playing tennis one level above than anybody else.

What is also important to note, however, is that the Andy Murray move—hiring a big-time coach to make adjustments in his game and take him to a major title—has been done by Djokovic many years ago.

The Serbian has been working with the same coach for a long time, as well as with a complete team that includes a physical trainer, physiotherapist, nutritionist, etc. He has invested in his career more than any other player in the world and that is the reason why he became the best.

Novak is ahead of Murray not only on the level of play, but also on schedule. He decided much sooner than his opponent to put the effort and a team together that would make the necessary physical, technical and mental changes in his game that would eventually take him to the top.

Andy is finally on the right track. He will get better working with Ivan Lendl and will win a major title. But not just yet.

Every player-coach relationship takes time to mature and so do results to happen. Novak Djokovic’s current level of play didn’t flourish right away. Andy Murray will have to be just a little more patient.