Duel Match Stats/Reports - Murray vs Djokovic, Wimbledon final & Olympic Games semi-final, 2013 & 2012

Waspsting

Hall of Fame
Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final, 2013 on grass

It was Murray's first Wimbledon and second Slam title. This was the 3rd Slam of the last 4 where the two had contested the final (Murray winning US Open '12, Djokovic winning Australian Open '13). Djokovic had won the pair's last 3 matches, all after losing the first set

Murray won 114 points, Djokovic 96

Serve Stats
Murray...
- 1st serve percentage (67/105) 64%
- 1st serve points won (48/67) 72%
- 2nd serve points won (16/38) 42%
- Aces 9, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (27/105) 26%

Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (68/105) 65%
- 1st serve points won (40/68) 59%
- 2nd serve points won (15/37) 41%
- Aces 4 (1 not clean)
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (17/105) 16%

Serve Patterns
Murray served...
- to FH 36%
- to BH 60%
- to Body 4%

Djokovic served...
- to FH 43%
- to BH 52%
- to Body 5%

Return Stats
Murray made...
- 84 (41 FH, 43 BH)
- 1 Winner (1 BH)
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 7 Unforced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- 6 Forced (6 BH)
- Return Rate (84/101) 83%

Djokovic made...
- 76 (33 FH, 43 BH), including 3 runaround FHs
- 2 Winners (1 FH, 1 BH)
- 17 Errors, comprising...
- 8 Unforced (2 FH, 6 BH)
- 9 Forced (7 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (76/103) 74%

Break Points
Murray 7/17 (8 games)
Djokovic 4/13 (7 games)

Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Murray 26 (10 FH, 10 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 OH)
Djokovic 26 (9 FH, 6 BH, 5 FHV, 1 BH1/2V, 5 OH)

Murray's FHs - 4 cc, 3 dtl (2 passes - 1 at net, 1 other at net), 2 inside-in and 1 running-down-drop-shot dtl pass at net
- BHs - 4 cc (1 return, 1 pass, 1 Djokovic was on the floor for), 2 dtl (1 pass), 1 inside-out, 1 longline, 1 drop shot and 1 running-down-drop-shot cc pass at net

- 1 FHV was a swinging shot
- 1 OH was on the bounce from the baseline

Djokovic's FHs - 4 cc (1 return), 1 dtl, 1 inside-out, 1 inside-in, 1 running-down-drop-shot cc at net and 1 net chord dribbler
- BHs - 3 cc (2 passes - 1 at net), 1 dtl, 1 inside-in return and 1 drop shot

- 2 from serve-volley points, both first 'volleys' (1 FHV, 1 OH)... the OH was on the bounce

- the BH1/2V was a net chord dribbler

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Murray 51
- 33 Unforced (19 FH, 12 BH, 2 BHV)... with 1 FH pass attempt at net & 2 FH running-down-drop-shot at net
- 18 Forced (10 FH, 7 BH, 1 FHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 45.8

Djokovic 57
- 41 Unforced (19 FH, 19 BH, 1 FHV, 2 BHV)
- 16 Forced (4 FH, 5 BH, 1 FHV, 6 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.0

(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)

(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Murray was...
- 22/31 (71%) at net, with...
- 4/4 (100%) forced back/retreating

Djokovic was...
- 26/44 (59%) at net, including...
- 4/6 (67%) serve-volleying, all 1st serves
---
- 1/3 (33%) forced back/retreated

Match Report
Murray's the more compact player in a match of grinding baseline action that's highly unusual for grass. Action (and the numbers springing out of it) are more what you might expect from a clay encounter than grass

Low second serve points won for both players (Murray 42%, Djokovic 41%). For Djoko, even quite low first serve points won at 59%. Low unreturned rates (Murray 26%, Djoko a measly 16%). 11 breaks in the match and neither player is able to go a set without being broken

65% of Murray's errors and 72% of Djoko's have been marked UEs. On the return, those ratios rise to about 50%. Much of this is due to both players outstanding consistency in returning... they get most forceful serves back

26 winners from both players is a decent number, especially given relatively passive play

Winners/UE differential - Murray -6, Djoko -15
Winners + errors forced/UE differential - Murray +10, Djoko +3.... in light off outstanding defence, these aren't bad figures

The returning from both players is typically top quality, not just for consistency but for neutralizing servers advantage. Typical returns from both players leave a third ball that the server would have to be proactive about to attack. Neither player is, preferring mildly attacking or even neutral third ball shot... and most rallies are of the neutral, dual winged variety

Rallies are long - about a dozen 20+ shot rallies and 10+ is very common - both players strike cleanly, firmly and deepishly. Its sort of play that makes it difficult and risky to attack. In that light, high UE counts don't indicate poor play... both players play soundly. It is unusual for grass though

Murray is more solid, moves and defends better. But for a brief period early in 3rd set, he's quite consistent of play. During that period, his movements drop off a bit, he's just a bit sloppy (not much, mind you) and Djokovic tests him with drop shots

Djokovic has small lapses of error runs also and isn't called on to defend as much, but is basically solid too. Its just that Murray is more so. Djoko isn't able to attack much from the back... few strong, wide hit FH cc's work for him (Murray has match high 10 FH FEs), but BH dtl's are run down and smoothly put back in play.

Most attacking play is Djoko's and they are mild to moderate in nature. Murray's defence is more than up to thwarting it. Even calling it 'attacking play' is a slight exaggeration... its more like Djoko stepping into to hit some mildly attacking shots amidst sound, neutral rallies. Once Murray neutralizes those, play returns to neutral. Neither player obviously leads or reacts... very much 50-50 rallies

It would also be an exaggeration to call it 'passive'. With clean hitting and decent depth, its the sort of play that's liable to draw weak shots that can be attacked - but neither player coughs up the weak ball. So the rallies continue placidly 'til the inevitable error pops up

Djoko does a fair bit of coming to net. He's up there 44 times to Murray's 31. Murray's figure is bolstered by dealing with drop shots... Djokovic is actually far more net hungry. He serve-volleys 6 times too, + a few 'delayed' serve-volleys for which he ends up at net for third ball (also stays back if the return is strong about the same number of times). He's not good on the volley this day. Just 3 UEs but often just plonks the volley in middle of court, some terrible 'drop' volleys that are floated up and leave Murray lined up passes from around the service line. No OH misses from Djoko, but inability to putaway the shot leads to points he's in complete control of eventually getting reset to 50-50 positions

Not much in it between the two players.

Winners are dead even at 26
FEs are near even - Murray 18, Djoko 16... for most of match, Djoko has signifcant lead. Its cut by the end due to Murray being at net - often forced there - in latter part of third set.
UEs read Murray 33, Djoko 41... for most of match, Murray has significant lead due to simply being more consistent off the ground and outlasting Djoko most of the time. That lead is cut in third set too, when Murray gets a bit loose

FH UEs dead even at 19. That's the wing of Murray's that gets loose. For most of match, its just as solid as his BH
BH UEs - Murray 12, Djoko 19... just a case of Murray being more consistent and Djoko missing his dtl shots (which vary from near neutral change-up to winner attempts). Which he's slightly pressured to go for as he's otherwise being outlasted

And Murray with a significant 10% lead in unreturned serves

Djokovic has his chances - and is up a break in the last 2 sets
 
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Waspsting

Hall of Fame
Neither players serves particularly well. Murray holds back aplenty to get 64% in, which is high for him. Likely to protect his vulnerable 2nd serve. He saves the big ones for when he needs them or is well up in games, and bangs down 9 aces and a service winner. Most of the time, regulation serving that Djoko can reach... and Djoko's very adept at moving to side to comfortably return the slightly wider serves too

Djoko serves regulation'ly virtually all the time - no extra big ones when in a hole. Murray's returning is excellent and makes returning a decent serve look easy

If there's a standout, its Djokovic not attacking second serves. Murray's 2nd serve is an invitation to get stuck in - 75-80mph in middle of box typically and there's plenty of scope to launch into it. Djokovic's content with firm returning. He's won 58% points against Murray's 2nd serve, but trailing in play as he does, would have been well served to push the ante on it. Its not particularly difficult against this serve - especially for someone like him

Djoko's 2nd serve by contrast is a normal one. Its no surprise Murray returns it firmly and easily... and his superiority in play sees him win about the same amount against it as Djoko can manage against the much weaker Murray 2nd serve

Match Progression
From the get-go, returns are put in play with deceptive ease and rallies are long. The first 3 games take close to half an hour. Djoko gets out of 0-40 hole to hold the opening game, but is broken second time of asking in a 14 point game. Djoko though, breaks right back

Rallies are dual winged affairs, both players hitting cleanly and firmly, short of powerfully. Its potentially pressuring play, but both are able to maintain decent force in hitting, and neither is able to draw weak balls to take charge of action from. Djokovic looks to to a greater extent, but Murray is by far the more consistent off the ground. Murray handles Djokovic's mildly attacking play facilely, showing exemplary movement

Djokovic comes to net, including serve-volleying. His drop volleying is poor and he isn't able to putaway OHs

Murray lets his hair down to strike 4 winners in successive points across 2 games (5 if you count an ace). Poor game by Djoko to get broken to love, missing 3 attacking shots (2 of them third balls), though the returns don't invite it. This is the danger of attacking

Murray opens his attempt at consolidating with 2 double faults and is stretched to 12 points, saving 3 break points. He does so decisively, with an ace and 2 winners at net. He serves out to love awhile later

Djoko leads by a break but hands it back in a game begining and ending with double faults. He pushes Murray game after in a 12 point game (2 break points), some timely strong serving sees Murray hold. From 5-4 up, Djoko loses next 5 games to lose the set and be down a break in the third

Murray wins 20/24 points at a stretch before Djoko finds himself again, holding from 0-30 down with a net point and 3 winners. Play turns on its head, with Murray getting loose and showing signs of tiredness in his movement. Djoko tests him with drop shots. It works for awhile and its Djoko's turn to go on a run as he wins 4 games in a row to go up a break

Just as suddenly, play turns again, with Murray finding his movement - and he reels off 4 games in a row to end the match

Summing up, an unusual match of placid action. Both players return very solidly, baseline rallies are long and feature clean hitting off both sides, but are essentially passive of nature. Djokovic is the one who looks to attack mildly, but Murray's movements are top notch and he's able to reset back to neutral play without much strain. Murray's the more consistent off the ground - for large parts of the match, to a wall like degree and he gets better of baseline play. Djoko takes to net, but his volleys are just plopped into court and he can't putaway Murray's defensive lobs

Not much in it. Murray returning with insouciant comfort, while able to find troubling big serves when necessary gives him a slight advantage to start rallies and once the ball is rolling, he's more consistent off the ground, his defence is excellent and outdoes Djokovic's mild attempts to attack. Action is uneventful but the fundamentals of sound baseline play are on show from both players, Murray a bit better on them

Stats for pair's Australian Open final - (6) Duel Match Stats/Reports - Djokovic vs Murray, Australian Open finals, 2013 & 2015 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
Stats for pair's '12 US Open final - (6) Match Stats/Report - Murray vs Djokovic, US Open final, 2012 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
 

D.Nalby12

G.O.A.T.
Very low quality match. Stats confirm it. Both players played well below their abilities. Novak was on zombie mode on that day - would've lost to any decent player.
 

Milanez82

Hall of Fame
Think Djokovic didn't recover from Del Potro semi final and as a result opted for a lot of ill advised drop shots to cut the points short and had many tired looking unforced errors
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
Feels like this report is going out of its way to not call a spade a spade. Poor match with a lackluster level of play. Average quality of rally ball was decent enough but 75% of the shots in this match were rally balls and that's not what should win Wimbledon's...
 

RS

Bionic Poster
Feels like this report is going out of its way to not call a spade a spade. Poor match with a lackluster level of play. Average quality of rally ball was decent enough but 75% of the shots in this match were rally balls and that's not what should win Wimbledon's...
Out of 10 for both?
 

NatF

Bionic Poster

The poor match was referring to the spectacle and gamestyle. The lackluster play was referring to how they actually played. I imagine the combined score from the two of them was on the low end for slam finals in the Big 3 era.
 

RS

Bionic Poster
The poor match was referring to the spectacle and gamestyle. The lackluster play was referring to how they actually played. I imagine the combined score from the two of them was on the low end for slam finals in the Big 3 era.
I assume you rate Murray from the year before in the final higher ;)
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
I assume you rate Murray from the year before in the final higher ;)

His peak was 2012-early 2013 IMO. He was already having back issues by the clay season of 2013. The fact he won Wimbledon in 2013 is just because it was a weaker year than before ;)
 

Waspsting

Hall of Fame
Murray (Great Britain) beat Djokovic (Serbia) 7-5, 7-5 in the Olympic Games semi-final 2012, played on grass at Wimbledon

Murray would go onto win the Gold medal by beating Roger Federer in the final. Djokovic, who had won the Bronze medal at the previous Olympics, would go onto lose the Bronze medal match to Juan Martin del Potro

Murray won 81 points, Djokovic 71

Serve Stats
Murray...
- 1st serve percentage (55/87) 63%
- 1st serve points won (42/55) 76%
- 2nd serve points won (17/32) 53%
- Aces 6 (1 not clean), Service Winners 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (30/87) 34%

Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (40/65) 62%
- 1st serve points won (29/40) 73%
- 2nd serve points won (14/25) 56%
- Aces 3
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (15/65) 23%

Serve Patterns
Murray served...
- to FH 39%
- to BH 59%
- to Body 2%

Djokovic served...
- to FH 41%
- to BH 52%
- to Body 8%

Return Stats
Murray made...
- 49 (22 FH, 27 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 12 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 9 Forced (6 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (49/64) 77%

Djokovic made...
- 57 (24 FH, 33 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 1 Winner (1 BH)
- 23 Errors, comprising...
- 10 Unforced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- 13 Forced (2 FH, 11 BH)
- Return Rate (57/87) 66%

Break Points
Murray 2/4 (3 games)
Djokovic 0/4 (4 games)

Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Murray 17 (10 FH, 1 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic 22 (10 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 3 BHV, 3 OH)

Murray's FHs - 4 cc (1 pass), 2 inside-out, 1 inside-in return, 2 longline and 1 drop shot at net
- BH - 1 running-down-drop-shot dtl/drop shot at net

Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc, 2 dtl, 2 inside-out, 1 inside-in, 1 inside-in/cc at net, 1 lob and 1 drop shot at net
- BHs - 2 dtl (1 return), 1 dtl/inside-out at net and 1 inside-out pass

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Murray 34
- 21 Unforced (13 FH, 8 BH)... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net
- 13 Forced (5 FH, 7 BH, 1 Over-Shoulder)... with 1 BH that was made but then unsuccessfully challenged
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.3

Djokovic 33
- 23 Unforced (12 FH, 10 BH, 1 OH)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH, 1 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 1 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.0

(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)

(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Murray was...
- 13/18 (72%) at net, with...
- 0/2 forced back

Djokovic was...
- 20/27 (74%) at net, including...
- 0/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
---
- 2/2 return-approaching
- 1/1 retreated

Match Report
A much better match than the '13 Wimbledon final - the serving is categorically more powerful and the hitting categorically harder and wider. Neutral rallies are hard hitting and pressuring (as opposed to more put-the-ball-in-play) and healthy amount of the rallying is open court, running each other side to side( as opposed to mild/moderate wide shots as change ups). Both players come to net more and do so after drawing short balls or otherwise allied to attacking baseline play. Both players movements are top notch - Djokovic's in particular is up from the '13 match - and has to be to cope with the more vigorous play

Murray has the stronger 1st serve (he has 7 unreturnables to Djoko's 3) and is the surer returner (he has 3 return UEs to Djoko's 10) to nudge odds of result landing his way. Otherwise, court action is near enough even

UEs - Murray 21, Djoko 23 (near even by breakdown too - Murray with 1 more on the FH, Djoko with 2 more on the BH)
FEs - Murray 13, Djoko 10 (mostly due to Djoko being at net 27 times to Murray's 18)
Winners - Murray 17, Djoko 22 (again mostly due to net play)

Good numbers from both players and performance is better than even those numbers might suggest. UEs are relatively hard, what with the hard hitting and moving around. Both players hit deep too. That's normal enough for Djokovic, but Murray's depth is a step up from his norm. Djoko's pushed well behind the baseline to counter-hit against it regularly, though he typically hits hard even from that position, the errors do go up against it

Good quality action and also a 'who-played-big-points' better affair too. Basic stats are near even -

- 1st serve in - Murray 63%, Djoko 62%
- 1st serve won - Murray 76%, Djoko 73%
- 2nd serve won - Murray 53%, Djoko 56%

... and you can't tell from that who's more likely to come out ahead. Though unbroken, Murray is the one who's pushed to hold more and serves 87 points to Djoko's 65
 
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Waspsting

Hall of Fame
Break point stats read
- Murray 2/4 (3 games), Djoko 0/4 (4 games)

By set, Djoko saves a couple break points aggressively early in the first. Murray endures a 14 point hold in middle of set (no break points). Otherwise, comfortable holds with lively, hard hitting action from both players til the end... when Murray plays a a particularly good return game to break

In second set, chances are all Djoko's. Murray faces break points in 4 games while holding 6 times, Djokovic non in holding 5. Going into what turns out to be last game of match, Murray serves 8.2 points per game, Djoko 6.2

Last game though is a break to love - a poor game from Djoko - and that's the match

The biggest difference between the 2 are on the serve and return. Murray has a huge 1st serve. Even in swing-zone balls are difficult for even Djoko to return, most are thrown out wide. Djoko's about 50-50 at poking the wide serves back, but he's a bit off on the returns he can reach comfortably. As ever, he goes for hefty hit and deep returns... it tends to lead to the odd unnecessary error, but is usually, well worth it for putting server on defensive. 10 UEs though is a bit too many and with Murray winning 53% of his below average 2nd serve points, doesn't pay

In general, Djokovic doesn't push the envelope on his 2nd serve returns against Murray. He sticks to his norm of down the middle, deep and hard - the same he does against everyone. Murray's 2nd serve is weak enough that if you can do that to normal serves regularly, you can go wide and really look to kill off points with the return. Djoko rarely goes that far and usually, its good enough to win him bulk of points. Not this match... and there's scope for him to have done so. Murray copes well with the deep-ish returns on the third ball, with just the odd miss. He even hits a FH i/o winner to open court of one right to the baseline

By contrast, Murray barely misses a makeable return. Djoko's 1st serve isn't as powerful but he's probably more often wide-ish with the delivery. Murray moves into position without strain and whacks it back. When forced to move well wide, he again proves about as consistent as can be

Djoko with 23% unreturned rate. I'd say his serving is good for 25%-35% against standard returning... keeping it that low is down to Murray's top notch return. This is normal for him. In the final, he'd keep Roger Federer to similar 24% and in the Wimbledon final against same opponent, it was an even lower 22%

For minimizing freebies for his opponent while also neutralizing with the return, Murray's returning is as good as it gets (in general and in this match). Djokovic maybe shades him in initiative snatching returning, but is less consistent too. And doesn't move as well to reach the wider serves

Advantage on serve and return for Murray (both to his credit) and inability to take it too the Murray 2nd serve (some discredit to Djoko), gives Murray an edge in prospects

On top top of hard and deep hitting and open court action, both players also are on point with their stock neutral shots too. The least secure would be Murray's FH, that gives up the odd, loose error, whereas Djoko's FH UEs are more often against deep balls or/and when he's well behind baseline. Djoko's slightly more adventurous in attacking from the back and has UEFI of 47.0 to Murray's low 44.4. Djoko tends to miss his attacking BH dtl's or Murray runs it down to hit into open court. Murray's BH attacking shots are wide hit cc shots by contrast

Breakdown of UEs -
- Neutral - Murray 14, Djoko 12
- Attacking - Murray 5, Djoko 6
- Winner attempts - Murray 2, Djoko 5

Finally, both players are on look out to come to net to finish, Djokovic more so. Both show net savvy in the way they work themselves forward and are sure in the putaway

Match Progression
Murray starts with 2 love holds and has 2 break points (on back off 3 attackingly won points) sandwiched in between. Djoko erases both with strong serves (an ace and a third ball FH winner). Action is particularly lively early on

Game 7 lasts 14 points, with Murray holding without facing break points. Game of good neutral rallying, with the 2 trading sloppy FH errors on first deuce.

Excellent game from Murray to break to end the set - forcing a BH error with a FH dtl to start, ending with consecutive winners (BHV and FH cc pass). A not good volley from Djokovic helps the latter on break and set point

Djokovic holds comfortably and regularly threatens to break in set 2 and Murray faces a break point in 4 different games while having none of his own. Murray does usually step up to thwart said break points

A Murray, running sideways at net to BH block on the 1/2volley a Djoko running-down-drop-shot drop shot for a winner is most spectacular point of match. Murray's shot looks well wide to me. Djoko's on other side of court and doesn't challenge

Slightly unusual behavior from both players. Murray slaps his forehead when he makes mistakes and doesn't shout at his box much. Djoko admonishes himself rather than yells at his box

Against run of play, match ends with a break to love. Djoko blinks with FH error in a neutral rally to start, misses an approach shot to follow and then misses an unwise BH dtl winner attempt on the move (the last 2 off third balls) to go down 0-40. He serve-volleys for the only time on that point, and is met with a return to his feet that he can't handle

Summing up, very good match - hard hitting and open court baseline action, with good depth of shot, both players looking to come in to capitilize on advantages gained from the back and very good defence and counter-attacks to. Murray serving bigger and returning more surely pushes odds his way, but there's little in the end result - a good return game from Murray and an against run-of-play bad service one from Djokovic settling it

Stats for the final between Murray and Roger Federer - (4) Match Stats/Report - Murray vs Federer, Olympic Games final, 2012 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
 

RS

Bionic Poster
Break point stats read
- Murray 2/4 (3 games), Djoko 0/4 (4 games)

By set, Djoko saves a couple break points aggressively early in the first. Murray endures a 14 point hold in middle of set (no break points). Otherwise, comfortable holds with lively, hard hitting action from both players til the end... when Murray plays a a particularly good return game to break

In second set, chances are all Djoko's. Murray faces break points in 4 games while holding 6 times, Djokovic non in holding 5. Going into what turns out to be last game of match, Murray serves 8.2 points per game, Djoko 6.2

Last game though is a break to love - a poor game from Djoko - and that's the match

The biggest difference between the 2 are on the serve and return. Murray has a huge 1st serve. Even in swing-zone balls are difficult for even Djoko to return, most are thrown out wide. Djoko's about 50-50 at poking the wide serves back, but he's a bit off on the returns he can reach comfortably. As ever, he goes for hefty hit and deep returns... it tends to lead to the odd unnecessary error, but is usually, well worth it for putting server on defensive. 10 UEs though is a bit too many and with Murray winning 53% of his below average 2nd serve points, doesn't pay

In general, Djokovic doesn't push the envelope on his 2nd serve returns against Murray. He sticks to his norm of down the middle, deep and hard - the same he does against everyone. Murray's 2nd serve is weak enough that if you can do that to normal serves regularly, you can go wide and really look to kill off points with the return. Djoko rarely goes that far and usually, its good enough to win him bulk of points. Not this match... and there's scope for him to have done so. Murray copes well with the deep-ish returns on the third ball, with just the odd miss. He even hits a FH i/o winner to open court of one right to the baseline

By contrast, Murray barely misses a makeable return. Djoko's 1st serve isn't as powerful but he's probably more often wide-ish with the delivery. Murray moves into position without strain and whacks it back. When forced to move well wide, he again proves about as consistent as can be

Djoko with 23% unreturned rate. I'd say his serving is good for 25%-35% against standard returning... keeping it that low is down to Murray's top notch return. This is normal for him. In the final, he'd keep Roger Federer to similar 24% and in the Wimbledon final against same opponent, it was an even lower 22%

For minimizing freebies for his opponent while also neutralizing with the return, Murray's returning is as good as it gets (in general and in this match). Djokovic maybe shades him in initiative snatching returning, but is less consistent too. And doesn't move as well to reach the wider serves

Advantage on serve and return for Murray (both to his credit) and inability to take it too the Murray 2nd serve (some discredit to Djoko), gives Murray an edge in prospects

On top top of hard and deep hitting and open court action, both players also are on point with their stock neutral shots too. The least secure would be Murray's FH, that gives up the odd, loose error, whereas Djoko's FH UEs are more often against deep balls or/and when he's well behind baseline. Djoko's slightly more adventurous in attacking from the back and has UEFI of 47.0 to Murray's low 44.4. Djoko tends to miss his attacking BH dtl's or Murray runs it down to hit into open court. Murray's BH attacking shots are wide hit cc shots by contrast

Breakdown of UEs -
- Neutral - Murray 14, Djoko 12
- Attacking - Murray 5, Djoko 6
- Winner attempts - Murray 2, Djoko 5

Finally, both players are on look out to come to net to finish, Djokovic more so. Both show net savvy in the way they work themselves forward and are sure in the putaway

Match Progression
Murray starts with 2 love holds and has 2 break points (on back off 3 attackingly won points) sandwiched in between. Djoko erases both with strong serves (an ace and a third ball FH winner). Action is particularly lively early on

Game 7 lasts 14 points, with Murray holding without facing break points. Game of good neutral rallying, with the 2 trading sloppy FH errors on first deuce.

Excellent game from Murray to break to end the set - forcing a BH error with a FH dtl to start, ending with consecutive winners (BHV and FH cc pass). A not good volley from Djokovic helps the latter on break and set point

Djokovic holds comfortably and regularly threatens to break in set 2 and Murray faces a break point in 4 different games while having none of his own. Murray does usually step up to thwart said break points

A Murray, running sideways at net to BH block on the 1/2volley a Djoko running-down-drop-shot drop shot for a winner is most spectacular point of match. Murray's shot looks well wide to me. Djoko's on other side of court and doesn't challenge

Slightly unusual behavior from both players. Murray slaps his forehead when he makes mistakes and doesn't shout at his box much. Djoko admonishes himself rather than yells at his box

Against run of play, match ends with a break to love. Djoko blinks with FH error in a neutral rally to start, misses an approach shot to follow and then misses an unwise BH dtl winner attempt on the move (the last 2 off third balls) to go down 0-40. He serve-volleys for the only time on that point, and is met with a return to his feet that he can't handle

Summing up, very good match - hard hitting and open court baseline action, with good depth of shot, both players looking to come in to capitilize on advantages gained from the back and very good defence and counter-attacks to. Murray serving bigger and returning more surely pushes odds his way, but there's little in the end result - a good return game from Murray and an against run-of-play bad service one from Djokovic settling it

Stats for the final between Murray and Roger Federer - (4) Match Stats/Report - Murray vs Federer, Olympic Games final, 2012 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
Can you do Roddick vs Murray Wim 2009 SF sometime?
 

RS

Bionic Poster
His peak was 2012-early 2013 IMO. He was already having back issues by the clay season of 2013. The fact he won Wimbledon in 2013 is just because it was a weaker year than before ;)
Would you give 2013 Murray a set vs 2012 Federer in the final?
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
Murray is his kryptonite on grass. Especially pre Boris Becker where nole was more content with extracting errors from opponents.

Murray outlasted and also outhit him (but just a little bit more)

Murray forces him to be more aggressive and he was uncomfortable with this losing in USO 12, wimby 13 and even ao 12 barely won. Murray is his kryptonite.
 
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