Sunday's Shanghai title match will be another installment of the budding Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray rivalry. Murray is look for his third consecutive triumph at the Masters 1000 event.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be squaring off for the 16th time in their careers and for the sixth time this season when they collide in the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon.
Djokovic has a slight 8-7 edge in the head-to-head series and it is all tied up at six wins apiece on hard courts. Three of this year's meetings have gone Murray's way, including two in a row. The Scot prevailed in the semis of the Olympics then beat Djokovic in a 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 epic to win the U.S. Open and capture his first Grand Slam.
"I don't like the word 'revenge,' I never like revenge," Djokovic explained. "I just play tennis and I try to win every match that I play.... (Murray) goes more for his forehand, which wasn't his strength in the past. Now this year he's improved that stroke and he's more confident on the court, has more self belief. He's got the results. He won a Grand Slam."
Among Murray's other triumphs are two consecutive Shanghai titles. In fact, the world No. 3 has never lost a single match at this tournament. The streak is still alive following victories over Alexandr Dolgopolov, Radek Stepanek (in three sets), and Roger Federer. Murray is an awesome 53-12 for his 2012 campaign.
Djokovic may not be as dominant as he was in 2011, but he has been on fire of late. The second-ranked Serb is through to the final of his fifth consecutive tournament, a stretch that includes titles in Toronto and Beijing in addition to runner-ups in Cincinnati and at the U.S. Open. So far in Shanghai he has taken out Grigor Dimitrov, Feliciano Lopez, Tommy Haas, and Tomas Berdych all in straight sets.
"I've known him for 14, 15 years now," Murray added. "We've obviously had some incredibly tough matches."
Expect another tough one on Sunday, with both players in outstanding form. Djokovic may be a slight favorite based on his convincing performances this week, but as long as Murray continues to play aggressive, this has all the makings of another blockbuster.
MATCH DETAILS
Murray vs Djokovic
Date : 14-10-2012
Date : 14-10-2012
Game Start - 10:00
ATP Shanghai 2012 Final
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be squaring off for the 16th time in their careers and for the sixth time this season when they collide in the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon.
Djokovic has a slight 8-7 edge in the head-to-head series and it is all tied up at six wins apiece on hard courts. Three of this year's meetings have gone Murray's way, including two in a row. The Scot prevailed in the semis of the Olympics then beat Djokovic in a 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 epic to win the U.S. Open and capture his first Grand Slam.
"I don't like the word 'revenge,' I never like revenge," Djokovic explained. "I just play tennis and I try to win every match that I play.... (Murray) goes more for his forehand, which wasn't his strength in the past. Now this year he's improved that stroke and he's more confident on the court, has more self belief. He's got the results. He won a Grand Slam."
Among Murray's other triumphs are two consecutive Shanghai titles. In fact, the world No. 3 has never lost a single match at this tournament. The streak is still alive following victories over Alexandr Dolgopolov, Radek Stepanek (in three sets), and Roger Federer. Murray is an awesome 53-12 for his 2012 campaign.
Djokovic may not be as dominant as he was in 2011, but he has been on fire of late. The second-ranked Serb is through to the final of his fifth consecutive tournament, a stretch that includes titles in Toronto and Beijing in addition to runner-ups in Cincinnati and at the U.S. Open. So far in Shanghai he has taken out Grigor Dimitrov, Feliciano Lopez, Tommy Haas, and Tomas Berdych all in straight sets.
"I've known him for 14, 15 years now," Murray added. "We've obviously had some incredibly tough matches."
Expect another tough one on Sunday, with both players in outstanding form. Djokovic may be a slight favorite based on his convincing performances this week, but as long as Murray continues to play aggressive, this has all the makings of another blockbuster.