Novak Djokovic is desperately hoping he can recover in time from his gruelling five setter against Andy Murray to take on Rafael Nadal in Sunday's Australian Open final.
"I will do my best to recover," Djokovic said after his five hour marathon with Murray. "I have a day and a half. I will try to get as much sleep and recovery as I can and hope for the best. I think that's going to be crucial, you know, for me to be able to perform my best, because Rafa is fit. He's been playing well. He had an extra day. He definitely wants to win this title."
"I know that I maybe have a mental edge because I've won six finals the five or six times we played in 2011 and I've had lots of success against him. On the other hand, it's a new year. It's a new challenge. It's a different situation. As I said, he has maybe a day advantage over me for recovery and for getting ready for the finals."
"That's going to be my main priority and concern the next day and a half, to physically be able to perform my best and be ready to play five sets. If I am able to do that, then I can believe that I can win."
Nadal was also forced to battle through a physically and emotionally draining semi-final, ousting long-time rival Roger Federer in four sets.
"It was a fantastic match I think from both of them," Djokovic said. "Roger started off really well. It was an incredible effort from Rafa to come back and some incredible passing shots. That's why he's a champion. That's why he's one of the best players to ever play this game. He's never giving up. He has a fighting spirit. He has very few weaknesses."
"He's very much eager and motivated to win the title - as much as I am. It's the final. It's unpredictable what's going to happen."
