12.24pm BST

Afternoon. This feels familiar. We've been here before, haven't we? Though it wasn't much fun last time, if we're being honest. In fact it was depressing and distressing. But what the heck, we'll put ourselves through it again. If Andy Murray's prepared to, it's the least we can do. Plus it'll be different this time. Won't it?

Except Novak Djokovic is arguably a more formidable opponent than Roger Federer was a year ago. Djokovic's powers may not be quite at the level they were when he dominated all around him during his extraordinary year of 2011, but the world No1 showed in Friday's breathtaking semi-final against Juan Martín del Potro that he's still the Superman of tennis. He's the man with the will of iron and limbs of elastic, the man who could walk through walls on court and the man who stares defeat in the face and laughs right back at it. Murray found a chink in Djokovic's armour in the US Open final last year, when he outlasted the Serb in five sets, but Djokovic responded at the Australian Open in January. This will be Murray's third grand slam final in a row against his adversary.

Crucially, though, Murray is more relaxed going into his second Wimbledon final. He's wiser having been here before, he's a winner having taken that first grand slam title, plus he has the full support of the crowd. Twelve months ago, there was a feeling Murray needed to win Wimbledon to be truly accepted by the British public. But Murray's outpouring of emotion after the defeat by Federer, his Olympic gold medal against the same opponent on the same court a month later and his US Open victory changed the public perception of him. He has achieved the rarefied status of a champion the country can also relate to; the victories made him great, the vulnerability made him decidedly British.

To recycle some words from my preamble last year, a nation doesn't expect this afternoon. We've got too much respect for Djokovic, just as we did for Federer. But a nation hopes. Twelve months ago that hope ended in tears. But remember, hope can also end in triumph.

The players will be on court: as the clock strikes 2pm. The summer has decided to show up for the occasion. The mercury could nudge 30 degrees during the match. So at least the roof won't be called into action. We all know what happened under the roof last year.

Do get in touch with your predictions and predilections: either by email to katy.murrells@guardian.co.uk or via Twitter: @KatyMurrells.