AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2015 MEN'S FINAL

It has been a fabulous Open so far! The Australian Open 2015 has had its twists and turns, so much to look forward to in men's tennis for 2015!

Predictably, or perhaps not so, we have Novak Djokovic, number 1 in the world, in the one corner, and Andy Murray, number 6 in the world, in the other. 

Who will ultimately take the brass ring (and the trophy?)?

Let us look at the back story for a minute, and savor what has happened in the past two weeks of this opening grand slam of 2015 tennis.

My personal favorite Roger Federer, number 2 in the world, was taken out midway in the tournament in the third round day 5 by Italian player Andreas Seppi, world number 46. 

Relentless tennis, bravo! In their last ten matches, Seppi had only only taken one set. There is a chance! 6-4, 7-6 (7,5), 4-6, 7-6 (7,5). So close!

So, what happened here?

Here are the overall Seppi/Federer match stats from Australian Open website to show just how a virtual unknown can take down a giant~

MATCH STATISTICS

• OVERALL MATCH STATS
• SERVE STATS
• RETURN STATS
• RALLY STATS
• DIR. SERVE STATS

Andreas Seppi

Stats

Roger Federer

4

Aces

15

4

Double faults

9

86/151 (57 %)

1st serves in

82/138 (59 %)

67/86 (78 %)

1st serve points won

66/82 (80 %)

32/65 (49 %)

2nd serve points won

27/56 (48 %)

197 KMH

Fastest serve

208 KMH

184 KMH

Average 1st serve speed

191 KMH

145 KMH

Average 2nd serve speed

155 KMH

17/27 (63 %)

Net points won

29/50 (58 %)

3/5 (60 %)

Break points won

3/10 (30 %)

45/138 (33 %)

Receiving points won

52/151 (34 %)

50

Winners

57

40

Unforced errors

55

144

Total points won

145

2876

Distance Covered (Metres)

2986

9.95

Dist. Covered/Pt. (Metres)

10.33

As we have heard before, numbers never lie! 

Look how close these numbers are, the only difference is that Seppi came and conquered at net more, and had less unforced errors. The other stats are relatively equal. And there you have it, that is how to take down a giant.

And Rafael Nadal, we love you! Number 3 in the world brought down by number 7 in the world, Tomas Berdych.  Nadal was simply not on his game.  This happens! And, Berdych played great. He capitalized on everything he could, and then some. He wanted to win, he worked hard, and probably kept on in his sleep long afterwards! Kudos to you, Tomas Berdych!

And of course, our dueling gladiators Stan Wawrinka, number 4 in the world, versus Novak Djokovic in the semi- finals.  True competitors, true grit. We all love seeing these two champions go at it, so creative in offense and defense so creative in delivery the both. Novak Djokovic ultimately prevails, due to stamina and Stan's break down of service game. The scores~ 7-6 (7,1), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Three and one half hours of play.

Which brings us to the men's final, Djokovic versus Murray.  Andy Murray had great matches during this Australian Open 2015, and without blinking an eye is in the finals!

So, here you go, too much for a play by play which lasted 3 hours and 39 minutes!

Instead, here are the overall match stats to show what really happened~

MATCH STATISTICS

• OVERALL MATCH STATS
• SERVE STATS
• RETURN STATS
• RALLY STATS
• DIR. SERVE STATS

Novak Djokovic

Stats

Andy Murray

8

Aces

10

1

Double faults

3

81/136 (60 %)

1st serves in

77/118 (65 %)

48/81 (59 %)

1st serve points won

50/77 (65 %)

34/55 (62 %)

2nd serve points won

14/41 (34 %)

205 KMH

Fastest serve

213 KMH

190 KMH

Average 1st serve speed

184 KMH

158 KMH

Average 2nd serve speed

134 KMH

26/37 (70 %)

Net points won

23/33 (70 %)

9/16 (56 %)

Break points won

5/12 (42 %)

54/118 (46 %)

Receiving points won

54/136 (40 %)

53

Winners

41

40

Unforced errors

49

136

Total points won

118

4332

Distance Covered (Metres)

4411

17.06

Dist. Covered/Pt. (Metres)

17.37

Early on, Novak Djokovic injured his thumb, but this injury was clearly not a major setback.

We all know that Novak Djokovic won, CONGRATULATIONS NOVAK!

The scores~ 7-6, (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0.  

In the last 2 sets, Andy Murray only took 3 games to Novak's 12. Wow.

You could tell especially in the last set, that even though Andy certainly tried, Novak tried harder. Take nothing for granted; Novak knows how to play the game.

Looking at the game stats, so many line items are close, or even seeming to favor Andy Murray.

EXCEPT, Novak put up a stronger defense with break points won and receiving points  won. This shows respect and discipline for the game.

Novak Djokovic also had a stronger handle on his second serve, a lot to be said for that.

Novak also had 53 winners to Andy's 41, and 40 unforced errors to 49 unforced errors of Andy's game.  

These numbers become the tip factor in Novak Djokovic's favor.

The moral of the story?

Practice, practice, practice for those winners for a strong offense, and showing respectfulness and keeping composure lend themselves to a strong defense to diffuse your opponent's game.

What a fabulous past 2 weeks this Open has been, so well deserved by Novak Djokovic! 

And Andy, the numbers are difficult to bear, and hardly tell the story of points won, such is the sometimes cruelty of the game of tennis, you can fight for a game with close points along, but it is that final closing point that determines the game.  We must remind ourselves that tennis is a game, and the rules to be followed will behoove the ultimate winner.

Congratulations to two great champions, Novak, this is your 5th Australian Open victory!

                

courtesy Australian Open 2015