Djokovic eyes record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park

The raging pre-tournament favourite, Djokovic, will bid for a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park, having surprised no one with his business-like march through the draw. What has raised eyebrows is the profile of his opponent, a quite different proposition from the men Djokovic has faced before in the title match.

In seven unbeaten finals, the Serb has met only three men, defeating Rafael Nadal (2012, 2019) twice, Andy Murray four times (2011, 2013, 2015-16) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga once (2008).

In fifth seed Thiem, Djokovic meets an opponent he has never faced at Melbourne Park and suffered recent defeats to - at the season-ending ATP Tour Finals and the 2019 French Open semi-finals. Compared to Nadal and Murray, who have racked up years of beat downs by Djokovic at the hard court Grand Slams, Thiem comes into the match relatively free of scar tissue.

The 26-year-old is also playing the tennis of his life. Once dismissed as merely a threat on clay, he torpedoed any remaining doubts about his hard court bona fides with a quite brilliant four-set win over Nadal in the quarter-finals.

It was a match that not only showcased his extraordinary power and endurance but also his composure under pressure and courage to convert his chances when they came. Runnerup to Nadal at the last two French Opens, Thiem may lack the major trophies and aura of Djokovic’s ‘Big Three’ rivals Nadal and Roger Federer.

But what he does have is a ferocious one-handed backhand and the blue collar grit of three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, one of the very few men capable of giving 16-time Grand Slam title-winner Djokovic sleepless nights.

Thiem let it rip against Nadal and young gun Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. He may need to be similarly fearless to beat the Serb, whose peerless court speed and defence tend to repel the shots that would be winners against other players.

While there are few doubts about Thiem’s stamina, he will head into the match after eight hours of slog against Nadal and Zverev. Djokovic will be fresh, having had an extra day’s rest after a three-set stroll in the semi-final against an injury-hampered Federer on Thursday.