Australian Open 2012 Results: Loss to Djokovic Proves Andy Murray Isn't Elite

Andy Murray is the No. 4 player in the world and he gave No. 1 Novak Djokovic all he could handle in the Australian Open semifinals, but blowing a late advantage proves that Murray doesn't belong in the elite class of men's tennis.

Murray has won 22 career singles titles at the age of 24, but the big one continues to elude him. I don't think there is any question that Murray is the best player outside of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but until he can break through at a major, I don't think he should be mentioned in the same breath as those other players.

Murray's skill set is impressive, particularly on hard courts, but there is something that prevents him from coming through in big moments at Grand Slams. Murray was in control against Djokovic as he won a grueling tiebreak to take a two sets to one lead over Djoker.

Rather than building on the momentum of the hard-fought third set, though, Murray completely fell apart as Djokovic dominated him to the tune of a 6-1 fourth. Murray bounced back in the fifth, earning a break of Djokovic and making it 5-5, but he was ultimately unable stay alive as Djokovic broke him again to win the match (6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5).

It's true that there are few players in the world who can push Djokovic to the brink, especially with the way he has been playing for the past year, but that seems to be the extent of what Murray can do. He often takes the top players to the brink of defeat, even beating them in smaller tournaments, but he doesn't come through in Grand Slams when push comes to shove.

Murray has at least reached the semis in every major and has three Grand Slam finals on his résumé, but he has yet to complete his résumé. In another era of tennis it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Murray could be a multiple Grand Slam winner, but he unfortunately has to contend with three all-time greats.

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have each won their fair share of Grand Slams, so it would be unfair to them and to Murray to put the Scotsman on their level. Had Murray beaten Djokovic, it would have been huge for his development, but it is quite evident that he isn't quite there yet.

I'm not saying that Murray is incapable of being an elite player, but at this moment he isn't in that class. Murray can win all the tour tournaments he wants, but until he wins a Grand Slam, he will be on the outside looking in.