Andy Murray makes late appearance to watch Jamie win Australian Open title

To prove his point and perhaps for inspiration, Murray pointed to Stan Wawrinka’s breakthrough at Melbourne Park in 2014. “I can try to do my best to try to keep playing on this level”.

Murray lost the first and third sets but dug deep to see off Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2, in a four-hour battle on Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic, who will be contesting his sixth final here and will be aiming to claim his sixth Australian Open title in nine years, will be the only man to have played in more Melbourne finals than Murray in the Open era.

Angelique Kerber has won the first set 6-4 over Serena Williams in the Australian Open women’s final.

“Novak does everything so well”, Mauresmo said.

For Murray and Soares, it was the first major title in either of their careers. He’s also won three out of the last four grand slams, and this is his fifth consecutive slam final.

Murray added that he has to believe in himself and excecute his plans well. Murray will face top-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia for the title.

Sunday’s match will be the 31st time the two players have met, with Djokovic having won 21, including 10 of the past 11.

Andy Murray is going for Australian Open glory today as he aims for his third grand slam title.

Raonic was broken in the opening game of the final set and he slammed his racquet twice into the court at the changeover, breaking the frame, as his frustrations boiled over.

Djokovic said he understands Murray’s “desire and will to win” since he’s had a similar experience in specific tournaments, like the French Open, where he’s lost to players, like Nadal, who were dominating there. His serve is clearly his most potent weapon, but here he struck his groundstrokes with great power, built his rallies intelligently and volleyed with confidence. Raonic actually won the following game, but Murray fought back hard, and took the fourth set 6-4. “There are so many players out there who are hitting the ball well”, said Djokovic, now in his 183rd week as the world number one.

Murray knows to expect a long haul if he is to overcome Djokovic and clinch the Australian title for the first time in his career. Things were still tied after four games, with the score standing at 2-2. “This is exactly where you want to be”, Djokovic said. “I wasn’t allowing him to dictate as numerous points as I was at the beginning”.

“I’m just trying to use what he’s giving me on the court and try to make adjustments to my game if needs be”.

“With the way I’ve sort of started off this year after the difficulties I had, whatever it was, three months ago, not finishing the year, many other aspects, not knowing where I stood, this was the most ideal way to start”. It’s going to be close but I think Andy will sneak it.

She adds: “It will go away soon”. Andy had a lot of trouble reading it at the beginning.

The match has been going for almost 3 1/2 hours.

“But Andy was very good mentally against Raonic and I have a good feeling for this”. “Doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. But it was a tough one”.

Andy Murray has said he has “a very good shot” of beating Novak Djokovic at the fourth attempt in the Australian Open final on Sunday, “if I play my best tennis”.