NOVAK TOO GOOD FOR MURRAY

WORLD No 1 Novak Djokovic gave Andy Murray a stinging 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 yesterday.

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

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

The 31-year-old three-time major champion returned to action last June but the former world No 1 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 January 1, but was well beaten by Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev in the next round.

Murray is playing in Australia under his protected ranking of world No 2, which is used to help players who have suffered long-term injuries.

But the lack of a seeding has left him exposed to a challenging early draw, and he will have to battle past a tough firstround opponent in Spanish 22nd seed and former world No 13 Roberto Bautista Agut. Local hope John Millman is no slouch either as a potential second round match-up for Murray.