The 2013 Wimbledon Open Championships will cap its wild yet drama-filled 127th staging with another finals duel between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Great Britain's very own Andy Murray.
For the first time since 2002, the gentlemen's singles finals will be contested without either seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and two-time winner Rafael Nadal, who both suffered shocking exits early in the tourney. Still, Sunday's grass court battle is expected to be epic, especially when two of the best competitors in the present era going head-to-head again for Grand Slam glory.
Djokovic and Murray know very much each other's strengths and weaknesses, having played 18 wonderful career matches and now four Grand Slam finals duels. Although this will be their first championship showdown at Wimbledon, today's match won't be any different than their previous classic encounters.
Murray, aiming to become the first Briton to win at All England Club since Fred Perry achieved the feat way back in 1936, will once again carry the hope of the entire United Kingdom after coming up short in last year's final against Federer. Now, after solving his Grand Slam woes at the 2012 US Open, Murray will enter the match with different kind mentality and instinct necessary to triumph in this pressure-packed situation. The Briton booked his spot in the championship match following his 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Jerzy Janowicz. But before that, Murray had to overcome a 0-2 hole against Fernando Verdasco of Spain in a five-set quarterfinal thriller.
Speaking of five-setter, Djokovic was just coming off an historic semis clash with Juan Martin Del Potro. The world's no.1 netter battled the feisty Argentine for 4 hours and 43 minutes, setting the record as the longest semifinal match at Wimbledon. Djokovic may come to the match a bit weary, but his determination to rise up to the challenge should never be counted out. Djokovic is all about resilience and he will prove it again on Sunday.
TV Schedule and Live Streaming
Coverage of Men's Singles Finals of the Wimbledon Open starts at 9 a.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN3 or Wimbledon Live
Audio Streaming
Radio Coverage of Men's Singles Finals of the Wimbledon Open - ESPN Radio or Wimbledon Radio
Live Scores and Results
Updated Stats and Results are available on Wimbledon Results and Score
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
