Buzz: Will Djoker get his mojo back?

Novak Djokovic is too polite to criticize his parents, but their timing -- quite frankly -- was lousy. He came into the world in the spring of 1987, and two decades later he would run into the formidable wall known as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Yes, Djokovic had the misfortune to arrive at the upper reaches of elite tennis during the glory days of the two players likely to finish with the most Grand Slam singles titles ever.

Not that the sardonic Serb hasn't done well for himself.

He's collected seven major trophies, including four at the Happy Slam down in Melbourne. In 2011, he won three in a shades-of-Roger-and-Rafa swirl of dominance. But in the three years since, with Federer aging dramatically and Rafa breaking down, Djokovic missed a yawning opportunity. He took the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013 and, last year, Wimbledon. So why does it feel like he's been underachieving?

Last year, in fact, he seemed to have his fifth Australian Open lined up -- and was beaten in the quarterfinals by Stan Wawrinka. This year, he beat Wawrinka in the semifinals. But the sketchy nature of that victory left many folks wondering whether Djokovic was ready to make a statement in the final against old juniors chum Andy Murray.

"Yeah, I did not play on the level that I intended before the match," Djokovic explained afterward, stating the obvious. "I mean, a couple points decide a winner in these particular matches when you're playing for Grand Slam final. I can say I'm glad, of course I'm happy and satisfied to go through. I'm proud of the fighting spirit that I had.

"But the level of performance was not where I wanted it to be."

Our Australian Open crew, on the other hand, is in peak form heading down the stretch. Tennis editor Matt Wilansky, on the ground in Melbourne, and senior writer Greg Garber -- bunkered down in Phoenix for some silly little sports contest -- wonder aloud whether Djokovic has the chops to take home his eighth Grand Slam singles title.

Greg Garber: The thing that's fascinating to me is the long-term dynamic here, going all the way back to those junior matches. They've met six times in the majors (in the past four-plus years), and Djokovic has won four of them. They're 2-2 in finals; Murray took the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon, and Djokovic both Australian Open finals, in 2011 and 2013. Djokovic, by the way, is 3-0 against Murray in Melbourne, including their semifinal match in 2012. Not sure how Murray can overcome that kind of karma.

Matt Wilansky: I once saw a T-shirt or a bumper sticker, or maybe it was a fortune cookie, that said "The only thing bigger than karma is me, and I am in one of those moods." Well, Mr. Murray is in one of those moods. Let's not forget, he is playing not only for the title, but to validate his choice of hiring Amelie Mauresmo as his coach and, to an extent, to show the critics he doesn't need Danny Vallverdu, Murray's longtime hitting partner who left the Scot to join the Tomas Berdych camp. But if Murray gets overwhelmed by all the ancillary things, he's going to suffer. Djokovic, for his part is in a good place, with a close-knit, consistent entourage and a happy home life with his new baby boy and wife.

Greg Garber: Djokovic, of course, insists he's not the favorite. "Obviously it's finals," he said. "There's no clear favorite. But the record I have in finals against him here in Australia, we played couple times, can serve maybe as a slight mental edge. But not much. I don't think he's going to feel that on the court. I'm sure he's going to be very motivated to win his first title here. I'm going to, of course, give my best that that doesn't happen." Well, yes, of course. Still, since that great rip in 2011, I just can't be sure Djokovic is going to give us a lock-down effort in a big spot. I mean, against Wawrinka he lost track of the score. That's Tennis 101.

Matt Wilansky: In his defense, Andre Agassi once vented that whoever invented tennis scoring did so to frustrate those who play. So yeah, even the best get flummoxed from time to time. Still, to your point, it goes to show where Djokovic's head is at. Conversely, Djokovic has won four straight against Murray dating back to the Scot's historic 2013 Wimbledon run. Born exactly one week apart, these players know each other eminently well; this match will actually be their fifth head-to-head encounter in a Grand Slam final, tied for third most in the Open era. I'm just wondering whether Djokovic's history of success in Grand Slam finals (he's won seven, compared to Murray's two) is going to play a role in the outcome.

Greg Garber: One thing I'm wondering: Does that last 6-0 set against Wawrinka give Djokovic some actual momentum coming into this thing? Tennis is a game of spurts. When Murray's relentlessly running down those sharp-angled shots, is Djoker channeling that bagel?

Matt Wilansky: Here's a stat for you, sir: Men's players who have won a bagel set at any point during a match are 12-0 this fortnight. If anything, aside from the renewed confidence it must have given Djokovic, the brevity of that last set against Wawrinka likely spared the Serb's legs some wear and tear. And come Sunday, Djokovic and Murray will be running a lot.

Greg Garber: The big ace in the hole for Djokovic, I feel, is his history in Australia. This is the Slam where he's had the most success. He's 4-0 in finals -- he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008, Rafael Nadal in 2012 -- and Murray in 2011 and 2013. There's something to be said for the confidence that comes with being perfect on that sweet blue court in finals. I am looking forward to this one. If Djokovic wins, it's eight championships -- and I could see him winning at Wimbledon and the US Open. If he loses, it's probably another one-and-done for the season. That's a big swing.

Matt Wilansky: Not quite sure I buy that. Let's not forget there's a lot of time between now and the Euro Slam season. That said, the winner's legacy will take a giant leap. Djokovic would tie Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall on the all-time Slam list. That's pretty sweet company, if you're wondering. As for Murray, a win here would leave him just a French Open shy of completing the Slam cycle (same goes for Djokovic). But for the Scot, who underperformed in a big way last season, a title would not only do wonders for his confidence the rest of the season, but also catapult him back up to No. 3 in the rankings. It's going to be a tight, taut test, but I say Murray in five.