Andy Murray in action against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 4-5 Murray* Murray goes ahead 5-4. Momentum has swung like a pendulum, now can he break again? "We know what happened when O'Sullivan and Hendry met in their respective primes: World Championship semi final 1999," says Graham McLeod. "One of the greatest matches ever played, up until 12-12, when Ronnie found he couldn't maintain his level. Much as I love O'Sullivan, I'd still take a prime Hendry to play for my life. Or Sampras on grass - during much the same period of time as Hendry dominated snooker. That 2nd serve: damn." Good call about Sampras, Graham. And what about Hendry v O'Sullivan in the final of the Liverpool Victoria? Hendry goes 8-2 up, O'Sullivan pulls it back to 8-8, Hendry wins with a 147.
Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-3, 4-4 Murray Enormous hitting from Murray, especially on the forehand side, takes him 15-40 up. The Scot has won six of the last eight points. Djokovic saves the first with a deep approach to Murray's backhand wing. And the second? Murray successfully challenges and we're back on serve. What a last set this has been. "I'm with you 100% on the Hendry v O'Sullivan debate, Sean," says Simon McMahon. "In his prime the Scot was the greatest player ever to have played the game, and by some distance too. As close to unbeatable as it gets. Up there with Woods, Federer, Taylor."
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Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-3, 4-3 Murray This is seriously good stuff here: Murray is smacking down 125mph serves - and while there was an ace there in that game - Djokovic is mostly getting them back and initiating lengthy see-sawing rallies. Which he, sadly for British fans, seems to be getting the better of. But at 30-40 Murray rolled in an 84mph second serve which Djokovic could only thrash into the net - and after that Murray, digging deep, manages to hold. Could there be one final twist?
Andy Murray Photograph: Ella Ling/AMA/Ella Ling/AMA/Matthew Ashton/AMA/AMA/Corbis
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Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-3, 4-2 Murray Can Murray start sowing the seeds of doubt in Djokovic's mind? Not in that game. He missed a decent chance at 15-15 and the Serb holds easily. Meanwhile more sports stars who are good under pressure: "IF YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE THEN SURELY RAFA ON A CLAY COURT IS AS CAST IRON AS YOU CAN GET IN SPORTING HISTORY????" says Colman mccarthy meekly.
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 3-2 Murray* More trouble for Murray, who goes 0-30 down in a blink of an eye. Well, this writer's eye. Djokovic misses a makeable winner by about a centimetre at 15-30 and Murray then gets 40-30 up. But the Serb clings on, winning the next two points to have a breakpoint. Which Murray then saves. This could be the match right here. After more hard-hitting rallies and deuces - the game is over 10 minutes in length - Murray clings on. "Interesting though Teddy often is, let's not forget he had personal issues with Tyson," Marc Dowie. That's an interesting way of putting it, Marc. Atlas held a gun to Tyson's head and threatened to kill him after he behaved inappropriately with a 12-year-old relative. "I'm in the Rocket Ronnie camp in this one. Simply on another level on his day."
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Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-3, 3-1 Murray needs a response and initially looks like getting one after hitting a textbook inside-out forehand to go 0-15 up. But like when a herd of fattened cows enters an abatoir, you know what is going to happen next. Djokovic wins the next four points to go 3-1 up. "You're citing David Remnick in favour of your argument Sean?" says Gary Naylor. "That's a knockout blow! McEnroe did beat Borg though and John Daly did win an Open - though maybe we remember the exceptions ie when talent trumped toughness." Don't disagree Gary. I only took exception to your suggest that O'Sullivan would always win v anyone at his best!
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 Murray* It's rarely a good sign when Murray starts talking to himself - it's like when an attractive lady starts swimming alone in a Jaws movie, you suspect what is going to happen next. And so it proves. 0-30 goes to 0-40 and while Murray saves a breakpoint he can't stop Djokovic breaking his serve.
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Murray* The intensity - and the quality of the tennis - is climbing steeply. At 30-15, Djokovic slices and comes into the net and is rewarded when Murray puts it long. Another great crosscourt rally also goes Djokovic's way and we're level again. Meanwhile Gary Naylor is back. "I take your point Sean, but Hendry (or anyone) wouldn't get to the table - well, not often enough." That ignores how much of sport is mental. O'Sullivan facing a prime Hendry would be unlikely to play his very best, because knowing who he was up against would affect him. Evander Holyfield would always beat Mike Tyson for similar reasons; mentally he was just so much tougher. It's worth reading David Remnick's interview with Teddy Atlas in the New Yorker from a few years ago - what he says about Tyson applies to O'Sullivan too.
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Murray* Murray is bouncing up and down on his toes, like a boxer before a fight, trying to show his opponent that there's plenty of premium unleaded left in the tank. On the evidence of that game, there is: he holds to love. Meanwhile another caption competition entry ...
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3 Murray* It's one set all, as Djokovic holds to love. He won 88% of first serve points in that set, and 77% of is second-service points. After the wishy-washy flam-flam of the first set he is getting back into this. "If I had one sportsman to play for me, it'd be Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan," suggests Gary Naylor. "Sure he can have an off day (whole off years really), but if he is anything near his best, he wins no matter what the other bloke does. He has the greatest excess of pure talent over opponents than anyone else in any sport - maybe ever." Couldn't disagree more Gary. Sure O'Sullivan is a great talent. But give me a prime Hendry over O'Sullivan any day. He would be too mentally strong.
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 5-3 Murray* A safe hold for Murray, who has made 77% first serves this set. Can Djokovic serve this set out?
(left to right) Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, the top three in the world, arrive in London for the ATP World Tour Finals. Photograph: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 5-2 Murray Like a WatchTower door-to-door salesperson banging on about God, I've gone on about Djokovic's resilience for a while now. But his ability to find a way back into this match, despite struggling from the beginning, is deeply impressive.
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 4-2 Murray* Until this game, Murray's serve had been a puzzle that Djokovic had been unable to solve. The Scot had only lost six points in eight service games. But a lovely drop-volley at 30-30 gives Djokovic his first breakpoint and when Murray unexpectedly serve-volleys a perfect lob means he is suddenly - and unexpectedly - in the box seat to make this one set all.
Andy Murray. Looking waspish. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images
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Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 3-2 Murray* Much better serving from Djokovic, who holds to love with barely a groundstroke in sight. Meanwhile James Taylor is back. "For clarification, I'm not related in any way to Phil, but do live in Stoke and my mother taught his daughter. Just wanted to clear things up." A nation breathes easy.
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Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 2-2 Murray* Djokovic makes epee-swishing moves with his right hand after another forehand hits the net. The Serb is frustrated right now - with the court, which is bouncing low and not suiting his whippy forehand, with Murray's level of play, and with his own in-and-outness. Djokovic takes those frustrations out with a scorching 92mph to pull it back to 30-15 but Murray wins the next two points to hold. He is looking very good here.
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 2-1 Murray Remember that scene in Cliffhanger? The one where Stallone is clinging on to the ice with his fingernails, desperately trying to stave off grim death? Well that's Djokovic right now. At 0-15 he sprays a shot long but Murray doesn't challenge. At 30-40 he finds the absolute corner with a drive volley to save breakpoint. Again he hangs on. Now can he find a way to pressurize Murray?
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 1-1 Murray* Djokovic bites into his gum after yet another unforced error - his 11th - on his backhand wing. The Serb drags it back to 40-30 but then Murray whacks an ace to win the game. "Though I struggle to see darts as a sport technically, is there anyone better at holding their nerve than Phil Taylor when faced with a double sixteen to win a World title?" asks James Taylor, who may or may not be related to the famous arrowsmith. "Nerves of steel the man has." Good call. Although if archery is an Olympic sport, why not darts?
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Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 1-0 Murray Incredibly, Murray did not lose a single point when he got his first serve in during the first set. But he has to be careful not to give Djokovic a sniff of weakness here. Give him that and he'll be snapping and snarling and getting himself right back in this. "If it was all on the line then I'd want Jonny Wilkinson of the 2003 World Cup or Michael Jordan," says Jim Lewis. "'Pressure? Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse' as Keith Miller, an Australian Test cricketer, once elegantly defined it."
First set: Djokovic 4-6 Murray* Can Murray clinch the first set? Yes he can, and with ease. There was an imperious Miroslav Mecir-like dropshot in the mix in that game and while Djokovic managed to reach it, he couldn't keep it on the court. Murray wins another game to love and goes a set up. "If my life was on the line, I'd trust it to a goal or assist from whichever winger is up against Andre Santos that week," suggests David Hopkins.
First set: Djokovic* 4-5 Murray Djokovic serve, like the rest of his game, still isn't quite there. He's only won 22% of his second serves, compared to Murray's 63%, which is local park level. After going 30-40 he saves breakpoint and the set before winning the game with a brutal cross-court forehand. "Flew over to London from Dublin for the tennis on Monday and Tuesday, it's hard to describe the heat in the O2 arena," says Anthony O'Connell. "I honestly don't know how the players can even play in it. Also I don't understand the logic of having one of the biggest matches at this time of the day. Surely this would be better for everyone if it was in the evening session? Great event all the same we had a blast for the two days."
First set: Djokovic 3-5 Murray* Murray is completely in rhythm here; his serves are hitting 135mph without straining. He's like a golfer that can fire a 300+ yard drive down the fairway time after time. He doesn't have to think: he just does.
Couldn't agree more, Jamie. Hendry had cojones of reinforced titanium. Incidentally I once interviewed Hendry in the snooker club he practised at in Stirling. What a lovely guy he was: he kept many of his trophies at the club, if memory serves, because he hoped they would be an inspiration to young people.
First set: Djokovic* 3-4 Murray Djokovic isn't playing anywhere near his best - his balance is a little awry and his backhand is having a shocker. Still he is hanging in there. "Tennis aside, the most staggering thing about Djokovic is how he is the oldest 25 year old I have ever seen," says Graeme O'Neill. "His paper round must have been dreadful." I'm surprised David Dunn is just 32. He looks much older.
First set: Djokovic 2-4 Murray* Murray's superb serving continues. He didn't drop a single point on his serve in the opening three games and races to a 40-0 lead in this one until double-faulting. Still, there are few dramas are Murray holds to 30. "If my life was in the balance and only a sportsman could save it, I’d choose either Graeme Thorpe’s surreal combination of grit and panache or, more simply, a Le Tiss penalty.," says Jonathan McCauley-Oliver.
First set: Djokovic* 2-3 Murray Murray continues to probe, and counterpunch whenever he gets the chance. But Djokovic's serve was too strong there and he holds to 15.
First set: Djokovic 1-3 Murray* Djokovic is a wonderful returner, right up with the very best, but he's not getting to grips with Murray's serve yet. And his backhand is a little rickety too: too many shots are sinking into the net. Still, early days.
First set: Djokovic* 1-2 Murray Better from Djokovic, who finds his serve and his forehand and wins to 15. Amazing to think there were still tickets available for this yesterday. Anyone manage to snag one late?
First set: Djokovic 0-2 Murray* Murray keeps things rolling along nicely by winning to love. There was another spectacular winner in there, as Murray recovered from being off-balance to crack a high-velocity forehand past Djokovic. In two games we've had more high-quality action than in the whole of Murray v Berdych.
First set: Djokovic* 0-1 Murray The perfect start for Murray, who matches Djokovic blow for blow before breaking to 30 after a brilliant see-sawing rally that ended with Djokovic puffing up a volley and Murray slamming a winner past him. Random aside: has there ever been a better sportsperson in the clutch, when the adrenaline is shooting around the body at a billion beats a second, than Novak Djovokic? True, Sugar Ray Leonard was good at closing out a fight and you'd rarely back against Rafa Nadal or Tiger Woods in their prime. But Djokovic is something else. If I need anyone to make a shot for my life, it'd be him. Anyone else?
The coin toss Djokovic calls heads. It's tails. Murray chooses to receive, hoping for an early break. The atmosphere is building by the minute. We're about to get underway ...
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Andy Murray walks on to court ...
... to an electroclash of whirring beats and digital camera flashes. He looks comfortable and focused. As does Djokovic when he makes his entrance...
Murray: "It should be a tough battle"
Just before Murray walks on court he is asked about today's match. "We've had some physical matches," he says. "For both of us if we win we are likely to go through so I'm treating it like a knockout match." Djokovic, meanwhile, says he is "looking forward to it. It's a big challenge whenever I play Andy. We definitely bring out of the best in each other. He's playing great. I feel I'm hitting the ball well too. So we'll see."
So today's caption competition: what are Roger, Andy and Novak saying or thinking?
(left to right) Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, the top three in the world, arrive in London for the ATP World Tour Finals. Photograph: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
The best comments - ideally via @seaningle on Twitter - get published
Breaking news ... An agreement has been reached to keep the ATP world tour finals in London for another two years. So it will be held at the O2 until at least 2015.
So how close are these two men? [Game-by-game reporter goes tohttp://www.matchstat.com, whips out calculator]. Very close. In 2012 Djokovic has won 662 points against Murray, while the Scot has won 644 points in reply.
So who will win? The bookies make Djokovic a slight favourite, but he wasn't quite in tune against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in his opening ATP world tour finals match and there are concerns that his father's recent illness and the stomach bug he picked up last week is affecting him. As for Murray, well, he too was scatty and inconsistent in beating Tomas Berdych on Monday, but as usual he found a way to win. Today is a coin toss.
Preamble
Has there been anything more consistently titillating across all sport in 2012 than the red-blooded mano a mano action between Andy Murray v Novak Djokovic? It started with a five-set thriller at the Australian Open, which ding-donged more than a fully wound grandfather clock, simmered in Dubai and Miami, and then exploded again at the Olympics, US Open and, most recently, in Shanghai, where Djokovic saved five match points before winning through.
Djokovic leads the head-to-head series between these old friends 9-7, but in 2012 it's 3-3. Three of those recent encounters - Melbourne, New York,
