Andy Murray’s quest for a singles title at the Australian Open goes on, after his straight sets defeat at the hands of his nemesis Novak Djokovic. After witnessing his elder brother Jamie’s triumph in the men’s doubles final, the world number two was efficiently despatched by the Serb 6-1 7-5 7-6. It capped a productive tournament for the British Tennis squad, after Johanna Konta made the semi-finals and Gordon Reid was both a winner and runner-up in the wheelchair events.
Jamie Murray takes title
Pride of place perhaps should go to Jamie after his success with current partner Bruno Soares, as the new pairing overcame the experienced duo of Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek in Melbourne.
Usually it is Andy Murray who takes the headlines, but now Jamie can claim his own piece of tennis history as the first Briton for 82 years to become the men’s doubles winner at the Australian Open.
After losing the first set as Soares’ serve was broken twice, Murray and the Brazilian 33-year-old bounced back admirably to take the next two and with them the match 2-6 6-4 7-5.
Jamie’s prowess in the doubles can’t be underestimated after the full part he played in Team GB’s Davis Cup triumph last year. He now joins Andy with two Grand Slam titles to his name, following a mixed-doubles success at Wimbledon in 2007 with Jelena Jankovic.
Moonlighting by Murray junior
Andy Murray was believed to be following the action online rather than watching the match live, but unexpectedly turned up at the conclusion to share in his brother’s moment.
Djokovic quickly into his stride
Whether his late night out had any major bearing on the outcome against Djokovic is unclear. Yet he made a slow start in his final as the Serbian breezed through the first set and demonstrated just why he is so far clear of the rest on the rankings and form at present.
Champion edged second set
His imperious form did not last into the second set though as Andy began to find his feet and pushed the set into its later stages.
Sadly for the Brit he was broken in the eleventh game, just as a tie-break had seemed likely. But he had at least proved that he could compete with his 28-year-old opponent and was making an impression on his strong serve, whilst looking far more solid on his own service.
No joy in tie-break
The third set was even closer as the conclusion of the contest arrived in the tie-break.
Again, it was Djokovic who found that extra spark to extinguish all hopes of a Murray fightback, clinching the title with a defiant ace. That left the father-to-be empty-handed Down Under once again. He now returns to be back at wife Kim’s side and no doubt debating how he can avenge his run of five final losses in the Antipodean Grand Slam event.
Reid tastes wheelchair success
There was further title success for the Scots in the wheelchair finals. Twenty-four-year-old Reid experienced mixed emotions however, claiming the singles event 7-6 6-4 against Belgium’s Joachim Gerard but suffering an agonising and exhausting loss in the doubles alongside partner Shingo Kunieda. Instead it was the collaboration between France’s Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer that lifted the title, clawing back a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set to take the match.
Promising future for Konta
Konta is another Brit who can hold her head high after a tremendous tournament in Australia. Her semi-final reversal at the hands of the eventual winner Angelique Kerber of Germany was by no means a disgrace, promising much for the future for the 24-year-old who moved to her adopted country from Australia in her teens.
