TENNIS – Three-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 7-5 6-3 in just over 90 minutes in the blockbuster quarter final at the Sony Open in Miami to extend his lead to 11-8 in their head-to-head matches. They played their first head-to-head match since last July’s Wimbledon final won by Murray. Diego Sampaolo
Djokovic created two break points in the fourth game but Murray saved them. Djokovic handed Murray his first break point chance but he saved it with his strong serves. In the 12th game Djokovic hit a volley to win the first point of the game but replays showed that he had played a volley with his racquet over the net at 6-5
Controversially the umpire did not make any call as he said that Djokovic’s racquet had not crossed the net when it made contact with the ball. The Serb won the last seven points breaking serve to love to close out the first set to love after 53 minutes.
“I think I crossed the net with the racquet i did not touch the net. The rule says that you cannot hit on his side with the racquet”, said Djokovic.
Murray drew level to 2-2 with a backhand winner before breaking serve in the following game to take a 3-2 lead with a backhand volley winner. However the Scotsman made two crucial double faults and was broken back immediately. Djokovic held serve in the following game for 4-3 and broke serve to take a 5-3 lead. Djokovic did not face a break point in the rest of the match and won four consecutive games to clinch the second set with 6-3.
Djokovic is looking to clinch his second Indian Wells-Miami double three years after achieving this feat in both US hard-court Master 1000 Tournaments. Earlier this month he beat Roger Federer at Indian Wells.
Murray, who was playing his first tournament since splitting from Ivan Lendl, played his best tennis since last year’s Wimbledon but Djoker played well winning more than 80% of his first serve points and scored his ninth consecutive match. Djokovic won 75 percent of his points at the net compared to the 61 percents of net points on by Murray.
Murray has not won a match against a top-10 player since his triumph in the Wimbledon final against Djokovic.
After this defeat Murray will drop to World Number 8 in the ATP Ranking.
“I am not angry. My game is just about there. I had opportunities on Novak’s serve. I am hitting the ball better. My game is not far from where I would like it to be. This is some of the best I have played since I have been back”, said Murray.
