ANALYSES OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALS

WOMEN’S FINAL: [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [7] Angelique Kerber (GER)

Williams is aware that danger lurks just around the corner every time she steps on court. Fresh in her memory is her upset at the hands of Roberta Vinci, a player she had never lost to until the 2015 US Open semifinal. She knows that despite her 5:1 record against Kerber, she is just as hungry for her 1^st Major title as Williams if for her 22^nd.  The one victory Kerber had against Williams was a straight sets defeat in 2012.  Their last encounter was in 2014 and Kerber pushed the first set to a tiebreak.  This is not going to be as easy as we would like. Despite not dropping a set the entire tournament, Williams has to remain as alert and possibly more focused in this final if she wants Major title number 22. If Williams comes out sharp, she wins in straight sets.

MEN’S FINALS: [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [2] Andy Murray (GBR)

No one will bet against Djokovic; however, I think Murray is tired of losing to Djokovic, plus he’s had enough of getting to the Australian Open Final only to walk away as runner-up. However, despite Murray’s desire to win this title, the odds are stacked against him. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 21:9.  The last time Murray defeated Djokovic was in July 2015. He has lost three Australian Open Finals to Djokovic. If he wants to dethrone Djokovic, Murray must get off to a quick start.  He needs to win the first two sets to even have a chance of getting by Djokovic. As he said in his post-match interview this morning, he cannot afford to have a lapse in concentration against Djokovic. If Murray comes out sharp, plays out of his mind and stays focused, he takes it in four sets.