Andy Murray will be competing with Novak Djokovic in the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open final in Doha on Saturday.
These two have been rivals for a long time. Djokovic has more points in the head to head tally 24-11 but Andy scored a win in their last encounter in London in November.
Today’s encounter will be a quite exciting one to watch.
Let’s look at some of the last few times when these two came together.
Madrid, 2006, L16 – Djokovic 1-6 7-5 6-3
Andry Murray’s first ever match with Novak was quite an impressive one. The teenager then made a quite a good start but Novak got in style and the game was in his pockets.
Indian Wells, 2007, SF – Djokovic 6-2 6-3
The struggle on the Californian dessert was pretty bad for Murray and seemed a quite easy victory for Djokovic. Within an hour Novak won the game in two sets straight. Maybe we can excuse Murray for this loss as he had an ankle injury.
Miami, 2007, SF – Djokovic 6-1 6-0
Just after the victory in Indian Wells, Novak continued his winning strike. Once again like the previous encounter Murray lost to Novak. Later Murray said “the worst match I’ve probably played since I’ve been on the tour”
Monte Carlo, 2008, L16 – Djokovic 6-0 6-4
As alway Novak had this game also in his hands. Murray tried to get back in the second set but it was too late.
Toronto, 2008, QF (outdoor hard) – Murray 6-3 7-6
Finally, Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in the fifth attempt. The good thing was, he won the game in straight two games.
Cincinnati, 2008, F – Murray 7-6 7-6
Murray won his first Master’s title at the biggest high time of his career. Murray pocketed in the first set but in the second set, he was lagging a little behind but sooner he got back into the game and won the game in straight two sets. After the game, Novak said “He was playing a lot of slices and changing pace to my forehand. I just lost the rhythm.”
Miami, 2009, F – Murray 6-2 7-5
Murray dominated the first set but had to struggle back from 5-2 in the second set, saving set points in the game, to seal his victory. This match was played in striking heat which Murray managed well. Djokovic admitted later: “I was, I think, the biggest enemy to myself. I was struggling again and trying to adjust to the heat.”
Australian Open, 2011, F – Djokovic 6-4 6-2 6-3
After Murray won the Miami game after two years the rivals meet again. And they met after two years at the crucial game of Australian Open. This game would have been an easy victory for Murray as this game didn’t have Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. But unlikely this game had to go in Novak’s hands.
Cincinnati, 2011, F (outdoor hard) – Murray 6-4 3-0 ret
A few months later Murray finally defeated Novak in June 2011. Murray started the set with dominating him continuously and no one would have thought it will be this good of a game.
Australian Open, 2012, SF – Djokovic 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-1 7-5
Everyone would regard this as the best match between these wonderful accers. The contest lasted for 5 hours, and Murray gave his whole and soul to the game. Novak led this game in the beginning with 5-2. The match was tedious one but Murray got back into form and made an equal set. But in the final moment of the game Novak got back in the flow and took the victory in his hands. Murray said afterward: “After the year that Novak’s had, I think there’s a very fine line between being number one in the world and being three or four. I feel tonight that I closed that gap. My job over the next two or three months is to surpass him and the guys in front of me.”
Dubai, 2012, SF – Murray 6-2 7-5
In 2012 Murray became the first player to defeat Djokovic. Novak had been on a winning streak for 18 matches whereas had won 7 games in a row. Easily Andy Murray won this semifinal game.
Olympics, 2012, SF – Murray 7-5 7-5
Murray won the Olympics semifinal defeating Novak in an easy game of 2 sets. Novak attempted to break Murray on several occasions. But it wasn’t that easy and finally Novak lost it. Andry Murray defeated Roger Federer to win a Gold medal in the Olympics.
US Open, 2012, F – Murray 7-6 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2
Murray won his First grand Slam. The match lasted for more than 4 hours. The game went on for 5 sets. Murray became the British player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.
ATP World Tour Finals, 2012, RR (indoor hard) – Djokovic 4-6 6-3 7-5
The Rivals met for the last time in London in November. Murray started playing near-perfect tennis. But in the final set things had to turn around and the game got into Novak’s pockets.
Australian Open, 2013, F – Djokovic 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-2
In the 2013 first clash between the pair, it was Djokovic who came out on top, winning the Australian title for the third time in a row. There was only a point difference between them in the first two sets. Murray, who had endured a much tougher semi-final, began to tire and Djokovic went on to claim a fully deserved victory.
Wimbledon, 2013, F Murray 6-4 7-5 6-4
Miami, 2014, QF – Djokovic 7-5 6-3
US Open, 2014, QF – Djokovic 7-6 6-7 6-2 6-4
Paris, 2014, QF – Djokovic 7-5 6-2
Australian Open, 2015, F – Djokovic 7-6 6-7 6-3 6-0
Indian Wells, 2015, SF – Djokovic 6-2 6-3
Miami, 2015, F – Djokovic 7-6 4-6 6-0
French Open, 2015, SF – Djokovic 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1
The streak of Novak continued for a long time from the US open 2014 up to the French Open 2015, it got easier for Novak Djokovic to win every game. Just the French open seemed to be tougher, the game went on for 5 sets but the later the show was won by Novak Djokovic
Montreal, 2015, F- Murray 6-4 4-6 6-3
Paris, 2015, F – Djokovic 6-2 6-4
Australian Open, 2016, F – Djokovic 6-1 7-5 7-6
Madrid, 2016, F (outdoor clay) – Djokovic 6-2 3-6 6-3
Novak’s fourth consecutive win over Murray put him 9,000 points ahead at the top of the world rankings. Djokovic strove hard and dominated throughout the 3 sets thereafter sealing victory and a record 29th Masters 1000 title.
Rome, 2016, F – Murray 6-3 6-3
French Open, 2016, F- Djokovic 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4
World Tour Finals, 2016, F (indoor hard) – Murray 6-3 6-4
After six months on from Djokovic’s biggest moment, the tables had turned. Novak was going through and personal issues and taking a advantage Murray won the game in straight 2 sets. Novak tried hard to get back on his feet but it was too late. Hence clinching the world ranking 1st position as well.
