Australian Open 2012 TV Schedule: 5 Key Storylines to Watch on Jan. 27

With Rafael Nadal already punching his ticket to the 2012 Australian Open final, the tennis world awaits the semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray on January 27.

This showdown is a rematch of last year's Australian Open final, where Djokovic prevailed in three sets.

What should we expect out of each player in this meeting? How will this tournament's developments influence each player's approach?

Let's take a look at some of the key storylines heading into this monumental match.

Will Andy Murray Improve in Rematch?

In last year's Australian Open final, Andy Murray fell to Novak Djokovic in three sets, as the Serbian controlled the tempo and style of play for most of the match.

But in Rome and in Cincinnati last year, Murray improved against the Djoker. Can he keep improving?

This year, the opportunity for revenge comes one round sooner; Murray is on a ten-match winning streak and would love to continue that momentum against the world's No. 1 player.

Will Murray be able to ease the 2011 disappointment by overcoming the man who prevented him from Melbourne glory? It will take a powerful forehand and a flawless serve to upend the Djoker.

Novak Djokovic's Health: Concerning or Trivial?

In his quarterfinal win over Spaniard David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic hit a couple bumps in the road physically.

At one point, he was grasping his leg and seemed uncomfortable. In addition, he admitted after the match that he was having some respiration problems related to breathing through his nose.

Djokovic claims he's fine, and it might just be a little hiccup for him on his way to another slam title. But it's something worth keeping an eye on, and if his health problems do happen to multiply, it could become a major storyline.

Can Murray Execute Marathon Baseline Rallies?

In this match, it's imperative for Andy Murray to dictate the pattern of play if he wants to win.

Novak Djokovic is such a versatile player, so Murray must be careful to prevent him from opening up the court and delivering quick blows. The best way to do this is to engage him in long baseline rallies.

That way, Murray will be able to get in a rhythm and use his fundamentals and precision to compete with the Djoker.

Mobility might not be Murray's forte, but he's a master at powerful forehands and sideline strikes, so look for him to try to establish extensive rallies.

Djokovic's Road to Aussie Repeat

Novak Djokovic's spectacular 2011 was sparked by a championship run in Melbourne.

For the Serbian, this match is the penultimate step for him toward a Melbourne repeat and a successful 2012. A loss would slow his momentum and put his No. 1 ranking in jeopardy.

Djokovic can't get ahead of himself if he wants to win back-to-back Australian Open Championships. Right now, he must focus on defeating last year's runner-up.

Fittingly, he has to take down Andy Murray again in order to even reach the championship match. 

Murray's Quest for First Major

Arguably the biggest storyline in this match is the question of whether Andy Murray will be able to break through and work his way to a Grand Slam tournament championship.

Murray is clearly one of the top four players in the world, yet the other three have won multiple major tournaments.

The Scot has come close on a couple of occasions, including last year's Aussie Open, but he still holds the label "best player to have never won a major."

He's playing top-notch tennis so far this year, and he's only a couple of steps away from erasing the past and becoming a legend.