mtenis.com.pl

Novak Djokovic fought past Andy Murray 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0 to claim the 26th meeting between the two rivals and capture his fifth Miami Open presented by Itaú title.

He now holds a seven-match winning streak against Murray, winning 10 of their past 11 encounters.

Read Rivalry Review

Here's how the final unfolded...

FIRST SET – Djokovic 7-6(3)

Novak Djokovic executed a perfect game plan in routing Andy Murray in the Indian Wells semi-finals just two weeks ago. The World No. 1 used his agility and hallmark defence to rattle the Scot and force him into uncomfortable positions. Murray served at just 47 per cent for the match and Djokovic capitalised in pouncing on four of six break point chances.

As fans filed into Crandon Park on a beautiful Championship Sunday, Murray pressed for an immediate break. Djokovic denied a break point in a seven-minute opening game and looked to apply pressure of his own, crashing the net frequently to shorten points in the slower conditions.

But the Dunblane native would not acquiesce, garnering another break point in the third game and this time he did not let the opportunity slip. The early attacking mentality was clear: dictate with the backhand and hammer deep returns to the top seed's feet.

Against Djokovic, it is always imperative to not step off the gas pedal when taking a lead. Following a double fault and two missed volleys, the break was handed right back, but this time Murray rediscovered his groove immediately.

The two-time Miami champion won a pair of sensational points to open the sixth game. The angles were acute as he sent a backhand pass down the line and put away a backhand smash after tracking down a Djokovic drop shot. He would claim eight straight points in holding for 3-all and breaking to love in the next game, as the Serb uncharacteristically misfired on a trio of backhands.

Watch Murray Hot Shot


The sun has been a significant factor throughout the week, and with the 1:00pm start it was evident that it would play a role in deciding the championship. There were four breaks of serve in the first eight games as Djokovic secured another break back to level the opener at 4-all.

The World No. 1 pushed to break for the set at 6-5 0/30, but Murray dug in his heels, claiming a riveting 35-shot rally with a rifled cross-court backhand winner en route to holding and forcing a tie-break. The Scot would tighten up with the set on the line, however, dropping the first four points of the tie-break and he relinquished the opener after a lengthy one hour and eight minutes.

SECOND SET – Murray 6-4

In the first set, Murray fell victim to 20 unforced errors, but was playing with much more vigour from the back of the court than he had in Indian Wells. He struck his groundstrokes inside the baseline 17 per cent more often on Sunday.

With Djokovic pushing to run away with the match after snagging a pair of break points at 1-all, the Scot fought to hold and a double fault at 30/30 in the next game gave him a break chance of his own. But the Belgrade native was rock solid in pressure points throughout the set and he would withstand another Murray backhand onslaught.

As the set wore on, Djokovic's shaky balance and equilibrium suddenly became a factor, and as Murray's positive energy returned he launched himself into the Serb's service game at 5-4, breaking to love to level the match and force a decider.

The World No. 4 fired six aces and 11 winners in the second set and he painted the line with a backhand return winner to take it the distance.

THIRD SET – Djokovic 6-0

As was the case in the Australian Open final, Djokovic pressed the reset button both physically and emotionally after suffering a mid-match hiccup, raising his level once again in the searing South Florida heat.

What makes the Serb so ruthless is his ability to navigate through troublesome moments and outlast his opponents in adverse conditions. Murray had all the momentum in his corner entering the third set, but it was Djokovic who pounced on an immediate break chance and secured a double break advantage for 3-0.

Murray's energy level dipped after fighting to grab the second set and that significantly revitalised Djokovic, who reeled off 16 of 22 points to run away with the final set after two hours and 47 minutes.