GOTOTENNIS - Tennis blog. Tennis news. Tennis gossip.

It’s here! The 2010 Australian Open men’s singles final is upon us. And it’s going to be a scorcher! (Or at least pretty warm. The weather forecast calls for evening temperatures in the mid eighties.) Here’s what’s happening on-court:

Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray, Rajah vs. Muzzah, Swiss vs. Scot, offense to defense vs. defense to offense, experience vs. youth,  4 vs. 6, 15 vs. 0.

These two have played 10 times, with Murray winning six of the encounters. Federer’s won the last two – at the World Tour Finals and the Cincinnati Masters – as well as their one Major meeting in the 2008 US Open finals.

It’s a close match up, and we all know what to expect. Roger has it all planned out, you see: “Andy, if you are listening, I’ll come in on your backhand, you’ll pass me, I’ll drop shot you, you’ll lob me, I’ll hit it through the legs. It’ll be something like that.”

And just in case anyone forgot who calls the shots. . .

ROGER FEDERER: (Murray’s) playing, you know, me, who’s won many Grand Slams prior to that, been able to win here three times so I know what it takes and how to do it, which is definitely an advantage. . .It’s not going to be easy for him, that’s for sure.

Murray’s let his racquet do the talking over the fortnight, announcing a new, juiced up offensive game during his quarterfinal versus Rafael Nadal that may ruin Federer’s best-laid plans. And he thinks he can play even better:

ANDY MURRAY: I’m gonna need to play my best match ever. I’m totally aware of that going into the match tomorrow. That’s what I plan on doing. I’ll try and play my best. If I do, I’ve got a good chance of winning.

Then there’s the mojo. Everyone from the ESPN commentators to the British papers to Andy, himself, feel like it’s his turn to win a major. Brad “Nostradamus” Gilbert points out that Federer won his first Major on his 17th try. This is Andy Murray’s 17th try. Oooh, chills.

What do you forsee?

 Loading ...

Roger at practice on Saturday:

Andy Murray posing for the inevitable “First Briton in 150,000 years” photo:

One thing we know for sure – we’ll be watching them take to the court on Sunday evening!

2010 Australian Open Order of Play Day 14: Sunday, January 21

Rod Laver Arena

16:30 Start
Mixed Doubles Final: Cara Black/Leander Paes vs. Ekaterina Makarova/ Jaroslav Levinsky

Not Before 19:30
Men’s Singles Final: Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray

So just two questions remain:

1. Who are you cheering for?

2. What crazy good luck rituals have you devised to make sure your favorite wins?