• Australian Open

Murray stronger to fight old friend Djokovic

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have been friends since they were teenagers © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: Flights of fancy and a moment of ignorance
  
• Match report: Murray grinds his way into Australian Open final
  
• News: Awesome Djokovic topples Federer
  
• Profile: Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | Andy Murray | Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray vowed to make it third time lucky when he takes on Novak Djokovic for his first grand slam title in Sunday's Australian Open final.

Having fought his way past a determined David Ferrer in the semi-finals, it will be Murray's third grand slam final, but he was thwarted on both previous occasions by Roger Federer.

With Djokovic having ousted Federer in the semi-finals, as he did at last year's US Open final, Murray has his sights set on becoming Britain's first major champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Having lost in the 2008 US Open final, Murray blazed into the final of last year's Australian Open, but came up against an inspired Federer. A tearful Murray said at the time, "I can cry like Roger, it's a shame I can't play like him."

But Murray believes the painful memories of last year's defeat have made him a stronger player and is confident the experience will help him on Sunday.

"It was tough for me, but something that I think overall would have made me a better player, stronger mentally," he said. "You know, they're all experiences that you need to deal with playing at the highest level of sport.

"You definitely lose some tough matches. You know, I hope that it will help me on Sunday. But I'm sure I'll deal with everything better than I have done in the past on Sunday."

Murray faces third seed Djokovic, who is bidding to regain the title he won in 2008. Murray and Djokovic were born just two weeks apart and have known each other since they were teenagers.

"I won 6-0 6-1 maybe," Murray claimed of their first match as 13-year-olds. "So, yeah, a lot's changed since then, I'm sure. It will be just a bit tougher than that on Sunday."

Having occupied No. 3 and No. 4 in the world rankings in recent years, the pair are frequently drawn on opposite sides of the draw and have met just once in the last three years.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head 4-3, but Murray has won their last three encounters - the last coming in the 2009 Miami final. And as they head into the first major final since the 2008 Australian Open not to feature either world No. 1 Rafael Nadal or 16-time grand slam champion Federer, Murray believes the era of the Roger-Rafa dominance may be over.

"We practice a lot together. We get on well together," Murray said of his relationship with Djokovic. "We're good friends. You know, so in terms of a rivalry, I think this will be the start well, I hope it's the start of us playing each other in big matches."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.