MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic is expecting a fierce battle with an old friend and familiar protagonist when he makes a bid for history in the Australian Open final against Andy Murray on Sunday.

Based on records alone, Djokovic would appear to be the strong favourite.

Born a week apart 28 years ago, Djokovic and Murray have contested three previous finals at the Melbourne Park with the Serbian emerging triumphant on each occasion.

The world number one is also a perfect 5-0 in his previous finals at Melbourne Park, while Murray is 0-4.

Djokovic knows the dangers of being overconfident, however, as he chases his 11th overall Grand Slam title, which would put him in a tie with Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver for fifth on the all-time list.

He would also equal Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian Open titles.

“When I hear predictions that are positive, of course, it does flatter and add to your confidence,” told reporters on Saturday.

“But you can’t get carried away with that, if you know what I mean. It also imposes a great obstacle mentally in a way because you need to deliver. You need to be able to win and try to make this prediction true.”

This will be the 31st meeting between the pair in a rivalry that goes back to their junior days.

While Murray enjoyed some success earlier on the professional tour, Djokovic has won 10 of their last 11 encounters.

Djokovic holds a 6-2 win-loss record against the Scot in Slams and a 3-2 advantage in major finals. There is not much each other does not know about the other’s game.

“I’m expecting a battle with Andy, as it always is,” he said. “Very physically demanding match. Lots of rallies, exchanges. It’s no secret we know how we play against each other.

“It’s two games that are very much alike, so it’s basically who’s going to outplay who from the baseline.”

World number two Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2010 final, is looking to become the first man to lose four finals at a Grand Slam before finally winning the title.

He had to come through a four-hour, five-setter against Milos Raonic on Friday but the extra day’s rest that Djokovic enjoyed after his semi-final against Federer has not been a winning advantage in five of the last eight finals.

Murray knows that statistics such as which finalist played their last four match first is unlikely to have too much bearing on a contest between two supremely fit athletes.

“I don’t think many people are expecting me to win on Sunday,” Murray said. “I have to just believe in myself, have a solid game plan, and hopefully execute it and play well.

“But the previous disappointments, it’s one tennis match. Doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past really. It’s about what happens on Sunday.”

Tournament organisers will be hoping Murray’s wife Kim does not go into labour with the couple’s first child overnight, a scenario that Murray has said would result in him jumping on a plane back to Britain.

That would give Djokovic his sixth title by default but the 10-time Grand Slam champion would clearly prefer to earn it.

“It’s a possibility for me to make history, which is of course another great imperative for me for tomorrow’s match,” he said. “These are the kind of matches that you work for. These are the kind of occasions that define you as a tennis player.”

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2016