The latest round of ATP World Tour action saw Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic both put in impressive performances to see their respective countries through the second round of the Davis Cup.
With all eyes on Great Britain’s top players in their first match against Japan, the pressure was on the world number two and team captain Murray to deliver in his match against Kei Nishikori. As the formbook predicted, Murray came out on top. However, the Scottish star didn’t have it all his own way.
Murray Takes Time to Shake Off the Rust
Some time off at the start of the year to spend time with his wife and new-born baby meant Murray showed some signs of rust during the four hours and 54 minutes he was on court. Ninety-seven unforced errors meant he had to work hard in the early games before he eventually broke down Nishikori to clinch the match 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.
Just as Great Britain’s finest were seeing off Japan 3-1 in their Davis Cup tie in Birmingham, the Serbian team was squeezing past Kazakhstan in Belgrade. With things level at two apiece, the top ranked ATP World Tour player Novak Djokovic was forced to step in and settle things.
So far this year Djokovic has already tasted success at the Australian Open by beating Murray in the final and he looked in fine form when he took on Mikhail Kukushkin in Belgrade. Although he had some minor injuries and posted 94 unforced errors (not too dissimilar from Murray’s stats in Birmingham), Djokovic went on to win in straight sets to take his Davis Cup record to 17 consecutive wins.
Davis Cup Dream Match Up
With Serbia and Great Britain now set to face each other in the quarter-finals, we could be set for another ATP World Tour showdown between Murray and Djokovic in July. Although unforeseen injuries or circumstances could mean the dream match doesn’t happen, the current dynamic would see them compete against each other in the competition just days after the 2016 Wimbledon final.
For many, the threat of Djokovic is enough to make any Davis Cup team, even the defending champions, feel a little nervous. However, Team GB’s captain, Leon Smith, believes that Murray can beat anyone, including Djokovic, on any given day.
Commenting on the Great Britain/Serbia showdown after Murray’s win in Birmingham, Smith said that the Davis Cup provides a “different environment” and with Murray’s “team-mates on the side of the court”, literally anything could happen in July.
French Open to Set Davis Cup Marker
However, before the two players start to think about their Davis Cup quarter-final clash, there’s the small matter of the ATP French Open in May and Wimbledon in June. Ahead of May’s French Open, Murray et al will have another chance to size each other up at the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells.
Djokovic will be hoping for a third straight victory in the American event, but many will be seeing the competition as a prelude to how he will fare against Murray in the coming months. Indeed, Roland Garros is likely to be another nail-biting showdown and fans are already clamouring to get their tickets for the event online.
In 2015 it looked as though Djokovic was going to complete another memorable victory at Roland Garros after beating the five-time champion Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals. However, a hugely impressive performance by Stan Wawrinka in the final meant Djokovic had to settle for second place.
This year, the Serbian will be looking to go one place better. But Murray will certainly have something to say about it. Indeed, with a potential Davis Cup tie looming later in the year, Murray will want to get as much of a psychological advantage as he can before the tie and a win at the French Open would be just the way to do it.
It’s All About Murray and Djokovic
Of course, if the two fail to cross rackets in Paris, then a grass court showdown in London looks extremely likely.
With Murray last winning the title in 2013 and Djokovic taking the title in 2014 and 2015, there’s every chance the two will make the final in 2016. If that’s the case, then the story of that match could set the precedent for the Davis Cup tie just a few days later.
Naturally, however, for any of this to have an impact on the team event both Murray and Djokovic will have to perform in the singles realm.
While their form this season would suggest they are highly likely to meet in the later rounds of more ATP events in the lead up to the Davis Cup clash in July, anything could happen as the action starts to heat up.
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