Preview: Tired Murray to face Djokovic in final

Melbourne: Andy Murray spent four hours to beat Roger Federer for the first time in a Grand Slam match. The Scot admitted that he would need decent rest to recover from the fractious finish in the semifinal if he is to take the Australian Open title away from Novak Djokovic Sunday.

Murray is bidding to become the first player since Lew Hoad in 1956 to win a second major title immediately after his maiden, which he secured against Djokovic four months ago in New York. But he had little time for history after surviving a physical and mental examination by Federer Friday night, reports Xinhua.

Djokovic just eased past David Ferrer in the semis. He has one more day of rest than Murray, who finished an emotional five-set win against Federer. There should be no excuses for Djokovic being the more tired player.

After Friday's semifinal, tennis's biggest rivalry no longer features the Swiss champion and injured Rafael Nadal. Instead, Djokovic versus Murray will determine the supremacy of the sport.

For the past few years, Djokovic and Murray had taken a backseat to the epic rivalry between Federer and Nadal. Things began to change as Djokovic roared ahead in 2011-12 as the top player in the world, defeating Nadal in three consecutive Grand Slam finals with their mini-rivalry.

By summer 2012, Djokovic held five Grand Slam titles and Murray still carried the title of the "best player never to win a major". Murray then took his career to new heights in the summer of 2012.