Miami Masters Tennis: Djokovic blasts Murray off the court in searing heat of Miami

Andy Murray suffered final heartbreak at the ruthless hands of Novak Djokovic last night as he was beaten in straight sets at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

The world No 1 bullied Murray’s serve throughout the match to clinch his first title of the year since the Australian Open 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). It was Djokovic’s third Miami Masters title, as he also won in 2007 and last year. Only six-time champion Pete Sampras has taken the men’s title more often.

Murray conceded he had lost to the better player in stiflingly hot conditions in Miami. “In the first set Novak served and returned really well. They were really tough conditions and long points,” he said in the post-match interview.

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“It was a pretty long match. Congrats to Novak. He played the best tennis all week.”

Djokovic admitted that Murray’s battling qualities had worried him during the second set. “Andy was very close to winning the second set. And then the match could have gone either way,” he said. “I had opportunities to break in the second set and close out the match quicker but then he might have won it later on.

“I thought I played really well from beginning to end. But with such a quality player you really never know, that’s why he’s right at the top. He always comes back even if you feel that you have control of the match, so I am really happy to close it out in straight sets.There were a lot of long rallies and they were tough conditions.”

Both players will now focus on the clay-court season, with Djokovic due to next play in Monte Carlo, and he added: “I’m looking forward to a great clay-court season which will hopefully be highlighted by a French Open title.”

Murray was on the back foot from the start, losing back-to-back service games to concede the first set, before relying on his defiance to remain in the contest.

The Scot somehow forced a second set tie-break, despite being taken to deuce in four of his six service games, but Djokovic had enough answers to secure a successful title defence and reassert his dominance over his long-time rival.

Djokovic beat Murray in a marathon five-set semi-final at Melbourne Park but the Scot won their most recent meeting in Dubai last month to give him hope.

Murray had also enjoyed a comfortable week in the Miami sun after he was handed two walkovers en route to the final, most notably when Rafael Nadal pulled out of their semi-final before they walked on to court.

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That may have left Murray slightly rusty, however, as Djokovic took control in a dominant opening set.

Murray held his opening service game but he was ineffective thereafter as Djokovic produced the type of precise power hitting that has elevated him to the top of the world rankings.

The Serbian broke Murray’s next two service games before comfortably serving out the first set in 47 minutes.

It was reminiscent of his semi-final against Juan Monaco, when Djokovic dropped just eight first-set points, before he allowed his opponent back into the match.

Murray had to battle to keep alive any hope that Djokovic might do the same again as he somehow held on to his opening three service games after being taken to deuce on each occasion.

At 5-5 he was again taken to deuce where, controversially, the Scot seemed to call for a line review but, after the chair umpire failed to spot it, he went on to win the point and the game.

Murray, who managed just one break point all match, then took Djokovic to deuce but he could not force the chance to take the second set.

Djokovic surged ahead early in the decider and, when Murray mishit a forehand long, he could celebrate a third title at Crandon Park.

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When the Serb had closed out the win, he let out a scream of delight to match the roar from the crowd, looked to the sky and pumped his arms – a celebratory routine now well-rehearsed.

Murray also lost the 2007 final to Djokovic, but won the tournament in 2009. The victory improved Djokovic’s record since the start of 2011 to a hugely impressive 90-8. His record now stands at 20-2 this year, and he has won five Grand Slam titles, including the past three in a row.

Now begins the clay season, which culminates with the French Open, the only major event that Djokovic has yet to win.

The Serb can start to look forward to Paris with confidence. Certainly, he looked close to his best at times in Miami, and he finished the tournament without dropping a single set. He also saved 25 of 30 break points against him – a statistic not lost on Murray, who had only one chance and had it prised away from him by the ever-determined World No 1.

The No 4-seeded Murray was fresh last night, but rusty after needing only three matches to reach the final. He advanced twice due to walkovers, and was playing for the first time since Wednesday, which may have explained his slow start.

“Congratulations to Novak – he deserved to win today and has played the best tennis all week. He has played really, really well. I practice on this court about three months of the year, I love training in Miami, it’s a great city and I look forward to coming back.”