Djokovic mauls Murray in Australian Open practice match

[January 10, 2019]  By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic gave Andy Murray a reality check in the lead up to next week's Australian Open, dominating the Briton 6-1 4-1 in a practice match at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

Murray has struggled to regain form since undergoing hip surgery last January, and was quickly dismantled by the six-times Australian Open champion at Margaret Court Arena before the players called time on their match after less than an hour.

Djokovic heads into the tournament as favorite to win a record seventh title and his third Grand Slam in a row, while five-times runner-up Murray, now ranked 230th, will have far lower expectations at the event starting on Monday.

The 31-year-old three-times major champion returned to action last June but the former world number one cut short a deflating season in September.

The Scot did enjoy a winning start to his season with a victory over local player James Duckworth at the Brisbane International on Jan. 1 but was well beaten by Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev in the next round.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic at practice match against Britain's Andy Murray. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Murray is playing in Australia under his protected ranking of world number two, which is used to help players who have suffered long-term injuries, but the lack of a seeding leaves him exposed to the prospect of a tough early draw.

(Editing by John O'Brien)

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