Andy Murray says no rift with Novak Djokovic
The pair last met in the Australian Open final where the Serbian defeated Murray 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-0 amid allegations from some commentators that he over-played an injury to gain advantage over the Scot.
Murray told the BBC: “I’ve seen Novak a few times since and I have absolutely no issues with Novak at all. Me saying I was distracted turned into this massive thing that me and Novak had some issue with each other, which is certainly not the case, and we never have in the 15 years that we’ve known each other. That was done in my eyes after the final.”
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Hide AdMurray says he is relishing the prospect of a “tough test” against Djokovic after booking a semi-final showdown.
The Scot made it 10 wins out of 10 against Feliciano Lopez - and 497 for his career to surpass Tim Henman as Britain’s most prolific male player of the open era - with a one-sided 6-3 6-4 victory in the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.
Serbia’s Djokovic was handed a progression by walkover after Australian Bernard Tomic pulled out with a back injury.
And Murray said on Sky Sports: “Against him you’re going to have to a play high-quality match, you can’t have any part of your game not working against him.
“He’ll obviously be fresh with a couple of days’ rest so it’ll be a tough test but it’s one I’m looking forward to.”
Murray’s perfect 10 against Lopez fits in with his good overall record against left-handed players - a fact he puts down to his elder brother Jamie.
“My brother’s a lefty so when I was a kid it’s all I practiced against up to the age of 12,” he said. “I see the spin almost more naturally than against right-handers.
“I passed very well today and that stopped him feeling comfortable up to the net, it meant he spent a bit more time at the back and I was able to dictate the match.”
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