The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsNovak Djokovic has clinched the Madrid title after the world number one overcame a spirited challenge from Andy Murray to beat the Brit 6-2 3-6 6-3. The Serbian outclassed his opponent in the first set before Murray hit back, but in the decider it was Djokovic who regained control and held on for the win.
In the first set, Djokovic made a quick start in breaking Murray in the opening game of the match with a volley winner, before easily consolidating for a 2-0 lead. The Brit was struggling at times to be aggressive without producing the errors, whilst Djokovic dominated the extended rallies with his precise groundstrokes, and he fully capitalised on this to break his opponent again with a wrong-footing forehand winner. The world number one was in ominous form as his impeccable length continuously forced Murray back behind the baseline, and he eventually closed out an imperious set of tennis emphatically with another winner.
As the second set unfolded, Murray was beginning to find his range and stay with opponent in the baseline exchanges, as both players held their opening service games comfortably. However, the Brit was soon rewarded for his improved level as Djokovic unexpectedly produced an error strewn game, gifting his opponent the decisive break with an uncharacteristic double fault. The Serbian though threatened to potentially immediately hit back by forging 30-0 ahead, but Murray responded with a series of timely first serves to hold firm and consolidate his advantage for a 4-1 lead. Even though Djokovic reduced the deficit, one break was enough as Murray confidently wrapped up the set with a delicate drop shot, to take the match into a decider.
In the third set, Djokovic held his first game and looked set to have regained control of the match when he broke Murray for a 2-0 lead after the Brit’s attempted lob drifted wide. However, the defending champion refused to lie down and immediately responded in the following game, clinching the break back when the Serbian committed a double fault. Murray quickly levelled the contest at 2-2 but he was under pressure once again as he produced more errors in an attempt to dictate the rallies. The world number one ruthlessly punished his opponent, breaking again with a devastating backhand winner that painted the line, and this time he consolidated his advantage to leave himself just one game from the win. Murray was on the brink of defeat as Djokovic held a match point, but the defending champion saved it before eventually holding the game with more powerful serving. With the world number one serving for the match, a pulsating game ensued as a combination of Djokovic’s errors and Murray’s offensive tennis gave the Brit multiple break points to get back into the contest, but the Serbian dug deep to hold off his opponent and he eventually sealed the hard –fought victory when Murray netted a forehand.
With this win, Djokovic now leads with the most Masters titles which stands at 29, whilst Roger Federer will replace Murray as the world number two when the rankings are updated.
