Murray ends Djokovic run in Dubai
Source: Agencies |
March 3, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ANDY Murray beat world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2, 7-5 in the semifinals of the Dubai Championships yesterday, the duo's first meeting since the Serb triumphed in a five-set epic at January's Australian Open.
Djokovic started strongly, holding his opening two service games to love but from 2-2 a pumped-up Murray then won seven games in a row to claim the first set and go 3-0 up in the second on a balmy evening.
Murray served for the match at 5-3 and nerves got the better of the world No. 4, double-faulting as Djokovic, 24, earned two break points.
A netted backhand from the Briton then enabled Djokovic to pull it back to 5-4 and the set appeared to be heading for a tiebreak. However, Murray roused himself to break again and seal victory after the Serb clubbed a forehand into the net.
Murray, 24, will now play the winner of the other semifinal between 16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer and Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.
Only four points were dropped in the opening five service games, all by Murray, with the Serb seemingly assured as he sought to extend a 7-4 winning record against the Briton.
After appearing impregnable, Djokovic then made three errors in successive points while on serve, two from backhands that went wide and one forehand slugged into the net to give Murray a first break point.
Both players were cautious, scared of making an error on the match's first big point, with Murray in particular seeking to take the pace out of the rally with some sliced backhands.
Djokovic eventually lost patience and a wild forehand gave Murray the first break and a 4-2 lead.
Djokovic, seeking a fourth straight Dubai title, rallied and went 15-40 up in the next game but Murray saved both break points, the first at the net with a backhand drop shot and the second with a fierce drive to Djokovic's feet.
He eventually held for 5-2 and it was to get better for the Briton, Djokovic making more errors to slump to 0-40 down for three set points to Murray.
Djokovic started strongly, holding his opening two service games to love but from 2-2 a pumped-up Murray then won seven games in a row to claim the first set and go 3-0 up in the second on a balmy evening.
Murray served for the match at 5-3 and nerves got the better of the world No. 4, double-faulting as Djokovic, 24, earned two break points.
A netted backhand from the Briton then enabled Djokovic to pull it back to 5-4 and the set appeared to be heading for a tiebreak. However, Murray roused himself to break again and seal victory after the Serb clubbed a forehand into the net.
Murray, 24, will now play the winner of the other semifinal between 16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer and Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.
Only four points were dropped in the opening five service games, all by Murray, with the Serb seemingly assured as he sought to extend a 7-4 winning record against the Briton.
After appearing impregnable, Djokovic then made three errors in successive points while on serve, two from backhands that went wide and one forehand slugged into the net to give Murray a first break point.
Both players were cautious, scared of making an error on the match's first big point, with Murray in particular seeking to take the pace out of the rally with some sliced backhands.
Djokovic eventually lost patience and a wild forehand gave Murray the first break and a 4-2 lead.
Djokovic, seeking a fourth straight Dubai title, rallied and went 15-40 up in the next game but Murray saved both break points, the first at the net with a backhand drop shot and the second with a fierce drive to Djokovic's feet.
He eventually held for 5-2 and it was to get better for the Briton, Djokovic making more errors to slump to 0-40 down for three set points to Murray.
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