Match Preview: Murray vs Djokovic

The 2012 ATP World Tour Finals Group-Stage One match between first-seed Novak Djokovic and third-seed Andy Murray is one of the most awaited. Both have registered victories in their first game and this would be much more than a decider, in terms of entering the knock-out stage.

Battle of the top performers:

This year alone they have both faced each other six times with the head-to-head being three apiece. Both have won three times and lost three times. The last clash at the Shanghai Open Finals was a thriller; the game ended in Serb’s favour. Djokovic defeated Murray 5-7, 7-6(11), 6-3. But Murray has had the last laugh in bigger clashes, the semifinal of the London Olympics and the US Open Final, for instance.

Djokovic vs Murray

Novak Djokovic:

Djokovic has had a fabulous year, which he started by winning the first Grand Slam of the year – Australian Open. And he is ending the year as the World No.1 in ATP World Tour Rankings. Beside the Australian Open, Djokovic has won four other masters titles: Toronto, Miami, Shanghai and Beijing.

Andy Murray:

For Murray, year 2012 has been the best of his career. He has not only won his first career Grand Slam, but he also won Gold at the Olympics. Murray has a positive record against top-ranked players this year. Against Djokovic he has won 3 won and lost 3. Versus Roger Federer, he’s 2-2. And he beat Nadal in their only meeting this year.

Facts:

• Andy Murray lost his first match of the year 2012 against Novak Djokovic and vice-versa. Andy Murray lost his first match against Djokovic in the semifinals of Australian Open, while Djokovic lost his first match of this year against Murray in semifinals of the Dubai Open.
• Before this Djokovic had qualified for the World Tour Finals 5 times; Murray 4. But this will be the first time they meet in the ATP World Tour Finals. Last year Djokovic withdrew due to injury while Murray had withdrawn from tournament too.
• Djokovic defeated Murray in their first four matches. Murray got his first win over Djokovic in 2008.
• In deciding sets Djokovic has won 75 % of matches against Murray.

Stats :

	Novak Djokovic	Andy Murray
Head to Head	9	7
Career Titles	33	24
YTD Titles	5	3
YTD Won/Lost	70/12	54/14
Career Prize Money	$41,076,497	$23,881,621