Djokovic vs. Murray: Defending Champ's Win Sets Up Blockbuster vs. Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray played the match of his life against Novak Djokovic on Friday in Melbourne, but in the end Djokovic did just enough to send him home.

When Djokovic won the first set of their semifinals matchup, we figured it was more of the same. Djokovic would win in three or four sets and that would be that.

But Murray hardly crumbled. He ended up winning the next two sets (winning the tiebreaker in the third) and showed a composure we had yet to see from the 24-year-old. In the fifth and final set, he battled back from a 2-5 disadvantage, only to ultimately lose the match, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 1-6, 5-7.

Friday's match not only showed a new-and-improved Murray, it also showed a Djokovic who looked worlds away from the dominance he displayed in 2011. At times Djokovic looked tired. At times he looked frustrated. At times it looked like he couldn't believe what was happening. However, in the end, Djokovic won, and that's what matters.

Djokovic's win sets up a scintillating match with Rafael Nadal, who buzzed Roger Federer (again) in the semifinals on Thursday.

Nadal holds a 16-13 advantage in head-to-head matchups, but Djokovic holds a 6-5 record against Nadal in Gram Slam matches (2-1 in finals). This is the true modern-day rivalry, folks.

Djokovic had little trouble against Nadal last year, beating him six times. Then again, he had little trouble against anyone on the circuit given he won 41 straight matches at one point.

Djokovic's final Grand Slam singles titles in 2011—at Wimbledon and the US Open—came against Nadal. He won both matches in four sets, dropping the third set in each clash.

Nadal proved on Thursday in Melbourne that he's unquestionably the No. 2 player in the world. Despite Federer's excellence through the quarterfinals, he was once again no match for Nadal in the end. All of Nadal's concerns headed into the season appear to have vanished.

As for Djokovic, he's still the No. 1 player in the world until Nadal proves otherwise. He still has the best return game in the sport and his agility, combined with his sizzling backhand (something Federer didn't have), will be the difference in the final.

Djokovic's struggles aside, I see him ultimately defending the trophy, giving him his third career Australian Open title.