Weight of a nation... Can Murray finally end Britain's Grand Slam drought?

Roger Federer won’t be defending his Australian Open title and Rafael Nadal won’t be looking to capture a career grand slam.

Tonight we will be seeing the start of what may be a future grand slam rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Both players have been impressive over the past two weeks, which means we can expect a top quality final.

Novak Djokovic, the 2008 Champion, has progressed to the final fairly easy whilst beating some quality players.

In the semi final he defeated defending champion Roger Federer in three straight sets. Many people might be surprised at Federer losing in straight sets, but Djokovic played the perfect tactical game and didn’t allow Federer to feel comfortable at all.

Djokovic has only lost one set in the entire tournament, but is not a fan of the extreme heat in Melbourne so the cooler night conditions may suit the Serbian.

The key for Djokovic in this match will be his serve. If he continues to serve well especially on the big points he will be hard to beat.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray, the 2010 finalist, has also progressed through the tournament with ease.

Andy would have enjoyed not having to play Rafael Nadal or Robin Soderling who were on his side of the draw but lost in earlier rounds.

Murray has seemed to have gone through the tournament with not as much attention, this has seen him progress under the radar which he would have preferred.

His semi final against Nadal’s conqueror, David Ferrer, was a tough one but it did showcase some of Murray’s best tennis. The key for Murray in this final is to play aggressive.

The Scot will need to be able to dictate Djokovic from the baseline and win the long rallies. By controlling the points from the back of the court, Murray will be able to get into the game like Federer failed to do.

It’s surprising that these players have never met in Grand Slam before. Djokovic leads the career head to head between the players 4-3, however Murray has won the previous 3.

It should be a very entertaining final tonight and my tip is that this might go the distance with Murray winning in the fifth.

Offence... Pim looks like he will start both Josh Kennedy (left) and Tim Cahill (middle) up front, finally, some might add.

Why?

Australia always performs at their best when it seems no one gives them a chance. Let’s go back four years. The Socceroos could only manage a pre-match draw with Liechtenstein and journalists were writing us off, claiming we are lucky to score a goal let alone a win. But we made the second round.

Let’s go back even further to the game which meant the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Facing a daunting qualifier against Uruguay, the South Americans took a one-goal lead to Sydney. So much did they dominate in that game that the South Americans said it would be a ‘travesty’ if they didn’t beat the Aussies. The rest is history.

Still not convinced?

Serbia have NEVER won a game against a non-European based team at the World Cup and even more telling is that in those three games, they conceded 10 goals. They couldn’t beat New Zealand pre-tournament, they hardly dominated either. Also, so cocky it seems are the Serbians that Coach Radomir Antic has hinted at resting players on a yellow card so they don’t risk a suspension.

If that is true, which we doubt, he will have to rest his entire starting back line and strikers Zigic and Kuzmanovic. But still, like every other team that has played Australia this World Cup, they think a win is a certain result.

What about those red cards you say?

Well here are the facts. Australia have played more than half of their two games with 10 men and have only conceded three goals in that period. Add to the fact that the two players sent off are arguably Australia’s two greatest players at this Cup.

Some are also suggesting that the Australians will also be unable to keep up with Serbia’s slick possession and passing game. But when you look more carefully, Australia have run as astounding 10 kilometres more than Serbia, so they certainly won’t have time to dwell on the ball.

Who’s the ref though?!

Jorge Luis Larrionda Pietrafesa is his name and let’s hope he’s not the reason behind more idiotic decisions. He is card happy and has come under corruption allegations recently, just what we need. The worst thing is that he is from Uruguay! Who appoints these bloody refs? Hopefully he is a bit happier after Uruguay’s undefeated qualification for the round of 16!

Fact is, when the Socceroos have needed to step up in the past they have. They did it against Ghana and I think they’ll do it again here. Form is loss, draw so technically it should equate to a win next in the cycle! Whether or not it’ll be enough to qualify is debatable, but the Germans and Ghanaians are still both a chance to miss out on the next round so let’s hope they get stuck into each other!

Aus 3-1 Serbia.

AUSTRALIA

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $67

The Coach: Pim Verbeek

The Dutch veteran might not have brought the most enterprising and eye catching football to the continent, but he has brought something no other coach (aside Guus Hiddink’s short cameo) has brought; results. He doesn’t base a players ability on one or two games, but rather asses them over time and this as well as his ability to get scrappy results has led him to cult hero status in Australia.

The Captain: Lucas Neill

Neill’s leadership over the past few years after Mark Viduka’s retirement has been remarkable, especially being able to respond so efficiently after that penalty against Italy last time around. He’s lost some speed but still reads the game well and will be looking for a big performance in arguably his first and last Cup as captain.

Fighters... Cahill and Neill will be crucial for Australia.

The X-Factor: Tim Cahill

No surprises that Australia’s fortunes lie heavily with this man. The amazing fact is if Cahill scores Australia doesn’t lose. Quite a remarkable statistic and if the Everton midfielder can continue to be in the right place at the right time and repeat his antics from Germany, Australia will look like quite a formidable opponent come South Africa.

The Flaw: Offence

Australia is lacking a big thing up front, a strong, quick ball player who can provide goals. Josh Kennedy or Harry Kewell will most likely get the role striker job, and whilst either is well adept to play it, they haven’t proven themselves there either. Kennedy has bagged some crucial goals for the Socceroos but his lack of pace sees him disappear in some games.

The Verdict: Round of 16

While they will go into their third World Cup as underdogs of the group again, there is a nation with much higher hopes and expectations compared to Germany. Verbeek quoted that his team would need ‘at least five points’ to qualify and whilst it will be much tougher than 2006, Australia have come a long way from then as well.

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GERMANY

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $13

The Coach: Joachim Low

Respected by the German public and FA, Low heads into the World Cup with a good standing. However, his future is uncertain with negotiations to be made about a new contract after the tournament.

The Captain: Philipp Lahm

In the absence of Michael Ballack, Lahm will take over the role of skipper. He’s had a great season with Bayern narrowly missing the treble. The left back not only is a good dead ball deliverer and crosser, but also has a decent shot on him that could surprise defences.

The X-Factor: Miroslav Klose

Captain... Lahm will take the armband.

He has five goals in the two previous World Cups, and another five here will see him equal Ronaldo’s world record 15. However, whilst there was much criticism about his picking in the squad after a mediocre season, the striker just has a knack of scoring crucial goals and in his last Cup; he’ll need to do the same.

The Flaw: Defence

Aside from Lahm and Per Mertesacker, the rest of the defence looks very shaky. Low is yet to decide who accompany the two at the back, and with keeper choices becoming limited if they side is put under consistent pressure things could becomes worrying.

The Verdict: Round of 16

The Germans always turn up to these World Cup’s and it’s very hard seeing them not being able to qualify from this group. However, they could face England or USA in the Round of 16. They’re also missing a couple of vital players and this could hurt their overall campaign.

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SERBIA

Formation: 4-4-2

TAB Sportsbet: $51