Postamble: Once again you need to be great rather than very good to beat Djokovic. A great result for Novak going into the French Open: the only major to have eluded him so far. For Murray, it’s less happy: he loses the world No2 ranking to Federer. But he shows he can live with anyone on clay these days: not something he could claim a few years ago.
DJOKOVIC WINS THE MADRID OPEN FINAL: 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
The great Novak Djokovic doesn’t lose championships from here, does he? Murray makes a positive start winning the first two points: the second off an unnecessary error from Novak, who wafts a forehand wide. Murray should have made it 0-40 at the net but Djokovic loses the point anyway with a long forehand. 0-40. Three break points for the Scot! Novak saves the first after a long rally of 24 shots. Then wins a second with a smash into an open court at the net. Still one more chance for Murray ... but he nets a forehand. Oh, Andy! We’re at deuce but we shouldn’t be. Novak really doesn’t want to win this though and a long forehand gives Murray the advantage (which he wastes). But a thundering forehand is too much for a sliding Djokovic and Andy has yet another chance - which he sends long. He can’t believe it’s long and screams in frustration. He’s had five chances - five! – to play his way back into the match. Some BRILLIANT tennis from both men as they thrash the ball back and forth before a fizzing forehand from Andy wins it. Wow. But a huge serve from Novak takes us back to deuce. This is tiring - the game is ten minutes old now. Murray looks to lose patience and a hard, rushed forehand into the net takes us to championship point. Which Novak wastes! And a volley into the net and Murray has the chance to break again. Such strength - mental and physical - from Murray to stay in this. But he finally loses with a dumped forehand.
Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 5-3 Murray* (* denotes server)
Murray has broken Djokovic once this set to stay in the match: I don’t see him doing so again to stay in with a shot at the title. Anyway, for now he needs to hold. The crowd look freezing, by the way. Murray sets up Djokovic with a big first serve and then slams a forehand winner to make it 15-0. Murray’s ninth ace of the match - his serve has been great - takes us to 30-15 before an uncforced error brings the game back to 30-30. Another sloppy shot gives championship point to Novak but another Murray ace ties it at deuce. And more big serving helps Andy survive ... for now.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 5-2 Murray (* denotes server)
Is Novak accelerating away? He seems to be raising his game with the finish line in sight: a huge forehand wins the opening point. But. Murray. Just. Won’t. Go. Away. He works Djokovic out wide and an unforced error takes us to 15-30. Djokovic has found the line so well today though: a backhand that looked like it was going out: clips the line and Murray is put off enough to send it into the net. Novak is then warned for time wasting but what’s this? Murray says he was holding up play and Novak should be be let off. Sportsmanship! Not that it helps him: Novak wins the game and is one from victory.
Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 4-2 Murray* (* denotes server)
Murray, remember, needs to win this to retain the No2 ranking as we head towards the French Open. A soft second serve is followed up by a forced backhand and Djokovic is 15-30 up. He’s on second serve again on the next point and another misplaced shot gives Novak two break points - it’s been Murray’s errors that got us here. A flawless backhand from Novak wins the game - the umpire goes to check the mark but Andy waves him away: he knows he’s lost the game.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 3-2 Murray (* denotes server)
Novak is able to regather himself with a few easy points: he’s 40-0 up in double quick time. An easy hold at a crucial time in the match will give the world No1 plenty of confidence.
Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 2-2 Murray* (* denotes server)
Djokovic works off some steam in the break between games with a few angry yells: ominous for Murray. Andy’s serving has been good today and a couple of strong ones have him 30-0 up quickly. Then Novak finds himself completely out of position as Andy’s forehand sales past him: 40-0. Murray’s first double fault of the match disrupts his momentum and the jitters stay with him as a dumped backhand makes it 40-30. But another big serve down the T wins the game.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 2-1 Murray (* denotes server)
That last game shows just how great you need to be to beat Novak. One good set and a decent performance in the others just won’t cut it. Djokovic is still human (just): he plonks an easy forehand into the net to make it 15-15. Murray appears to be on top in the next rally too, moving his opponent about but hits a routine backhand into the net. Another lapse from Novak: a double fault makes it 30-30. Both players look tired after some long rallies in this game. Then another: a looped backhand that plops out brings up the break point for Murray – maybe that last game dropped Novak’s intensity. Well, he has plenty to be angry about now: another double fault gives Andy the game and a break back.
Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 2-0 Murray* (* denotes server)
Now we see Murray’s response. It’s all very well taking a set off Djokovic but Andy has been unable to punch home the advantage against his frenemy in recent times. A brilliant point starts the game: Djokovic just about stays in the point and Murray looks tired as he jabs the ball into the net with the court open in front of him. Andy does his trademark mutter as we get to 0-30. The Scot brings it back with a angles volley that is just out of Novak’s reach but a drop shot on the next point isn’t good enough and we have two break points at 15-40. Finally some emotion from Novak as he wins the game: a fist pump and a little roar.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 Murray (* denotes server)
Well, who saw that coming? Djokovic was completely dominant in the first set, and looked like he would wrap up the final within an hour. But Murray roared back as he attacked his opponent and Novak was as listless as Andy had been in the first. But Djokovic is deadly when his back is against the wall: he is still favourite to take this. And he takes the first two points of the set at a canter. Murray hits back though: a fizzing crosscourt shot that’s too much for the Serb. Murray then has plenty of time at the baseline at 40-15 and delivers a crunching backhand to give himself some hope: that’s followed up with an unforced backhand error from Novak and we’re at deuce. Novak doesn’t look as seething as he usually does in these situations but maybe he knows what’s coming next (he doesn’t, he’s a lot of things but not psychic) and reels off two points to seal the game.
Murray wins the second set 6-3
So, will Murray close out the set? A long rally to start the game, and Murray tightens up as he tries to force a backhand down the line: 0-15. His server is off too and is forced onto his second serve for the second time in the game. Djokovic can’t exploit the opening though and an errant backhand makes it 15-15 before an ace makes it 30-15. Then a Novak lapse on a routine forehand gives Murray two set points at 40-15. Murray thinks he’s won it, but his first serve is marginally out. No matter: Andy seals the set with a nice drop shot.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-2, 3-5 Murray (* denotes server)
Djokovic is starting to get that hard stare in his eyes: there will be no clapping of Murray winners now and some flawless tennis takes him to 30-0. An unforced error - his 10th of the set - brings Murray back into the game. Andy is attacking Novak’s second serve though and he creeps up to it before thumping a backhand down the line for 40-30. Djokovic closes it out with an overhead winner.
Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 2-5 Murray* (* denotes server)
The match reaches the hour mark, which looked unlikely after Djokovic’s complete domination of the first set. And now it’s Djokovic who is showing the mental lapses: a long, lazy rally ends on a misplaced Novak forehand that makes it 30-0. Murray holds.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-2, 2-4 Murray (* denotes server)
Oddly that thrashing in the first set may have helped Andy - he pretty much had nothing to lose in the second and had to play aggressively. Novak may have taken his foot off the pedal ever so slightly too. Murray shows some of his brother’s double skills at the net to make it 30-15 with a crushing volley but Djokovic is in control at 40-15 after some nice work from the baseline. A leaping backhand return off Novak’s second serve is just out and he holds.
Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 1-4 Murray* (* denotes server)
Djokovic has a ridiculously good record after winning the first set over the last few years so there’s still a way to go for Murray and the world No1 soon has a 0-30 lead after a terrible drop shot from Andy that was never going to make it over the net. He does hit back with a counterpunched backhand and then two aces takes Murray to 40-30 – it’s easy to forget sometimes amid Novak’s brilliance how stubbornly great Andy can be at times. Murray seals the game soon afterwards.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-2, 1-3 Murray (* denotes server)
Well, Murray is now holding his own serve - can he start to trouble Djokovic’s serve? The Scot wins the game’s first point – I think that’s the first time he’s led in any of Novak’s service games today. It gets better for Murray: two unforced errors from Djokovic brings up two break points at 15-40. Murray should have taken his first chance too: the court is wide open and he only needs to get the ball in but sends his forehand long. Ooof. But Novak is shaky too and double faults to give the break to Andy. We have a match!
Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 1-2 Murray* (* denotes server)
Can Murray keep up the momentum after that positive first game of the set? He takes another point from the baseline to make it 15-0 - he has now won as many points from the back of the court in this set than he did in the entire first. A brilliant shot down the line makes it 30-0 - it’s good enough for Novak to applaud while it whistles past. We’ve finally got a contest as Murray decides he may as well attack. But Djokovic pins Murray back with shot after shot that finds the line until the Scot finally puts a shot long to make it 30-30. A thumping forehand from Murray at the back of the court and he has game point but an errant backhand and we’re at deuce. The Scot closes out though – Murray needed to win that game: he’s playing at his best and to have still lost even at full steam would have been a draining.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-2, 1-1 Murray (* denotes server)
The umpire is having a storming game, he’s overruled three or four times and the marks have shown him to be correct everytime. If it wasn’t for Novak, he’d be the most impressive man on court. A smash bring Novak to 40-0, just in case Murray was getting big ideas about a comeback. A lovely drop shot takes the game.
Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 0-1 Murray* (* denotes server)
Can Murray recover from that first set? On the evidence so far the answer is NO WAY. But look at this! Andy wins the first point of the set! He’s 100% and flying! I think Murray needs to start taking risks because safety isn’t going to beat Novak today (or any other day). Murray is taking more big swings though and is 40-15 up after a long rally - and we get Andy’s first “Come on!” of the day. He seals the game with a winner after his first serve stretched Djokovic out of position. A killer stat from the first set: Murray got 74% of his first serves and was still taken apart.
Djokovic wins the first set 6-2
Murray often looks beaten as soon as he steps on a court these days (who doesn’t though?) and today has been no exception. Murray has been OK but he has got more disjointed as the set has worn on. He creeps up to a second serve in a rare display of aggressions but he still can’t trouble Novak who puts a winner away with ease. Set point for Djokovic at 40-0. The world No1 wafts lazily on his first attempt to give Andy a little life but makes no mistake from the baseline on his second try. The first set is over in 30 minutes.
First set: Djokovic 5-2 Murray* (*denotes server)
The crowd are cheering any point for Murray loudly now - they want some kind of contest but they’re not getting one at the moment. Andy does have three aces to Novak’s one if that’s any consolation for the Scot and some good serving down the T takes him to 40-30. He closes out the game with another strong serve.
First set: *Djokovic 5-1 Murray (*denotes server)
The first sign of frustration from Novak, who has now won 15 baseline points to Murray’s three as a backhand flops into the net. But he’s been pretty much flawless today. Another winner - his 84,567th of the day - takes the game. Murray may as well be watching this at home on the TV.
First set: Djokovic 4-1 Murray* (*denotes server)
It must be so frustrating to play against Djokovic at his best. There are just no cracks in his game for Murray to exploit. Andy isn’t playing terribly (although his first serve has been shaky) - he just needs to be close to perfect at the moment to trouble his opponent. A great cross court winner brings up the double break. This could be brief.
First set: *Djokovic 3-1 Murray (*denotes server)
Murray makes Djokovic run early in the game, moving his opponent around the court with a nice variety of shots before sending a drop shot over the net that Djokovic is unable to return. A second serve sits up nicely for Andy at 30-15 which he returns with venom but Novak is good enough to neutralise the shot and put Andy under pressure. It’s soon Djokovic’s game and he’s looking comfortable.
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First set: Djokovic 2-1 Murray* (*denotes server)
A brilliant winner from Djokovic to start the game. It’s a decent shot into the feet of Djokovic from Murray but the Serb shows great anticipation and drives a backhand down the line. It gets better for Murray though, and the first ace of the game helps Murray to 40-30. Another good first serve is netted by Novak and Andy is finally on the scoreboard.
First set: *Djokovic 2-0 Murray (*denotes server)
A Djokovic drop shot is called out but the mark on the court shows it was in and he’s 15-0 up. Murray nods in agreement as the umpire shows him the proof. A barrage of shots forces the Scot into a long forehand to bring up 40-0, a weak return from Murray hands the game to Djokovic.
First set: Djokovic 1-0 *Murray (*denotes server)
And so it begins. Murray starts badly with an overhit first serve but Djokovic’s return is hit long on the second and it’s 15-0. And then it starts to unravel for the Scot and Novak reels off three consecutive points to take bring up two break points. Djokovic misses his first chance, netting a routine forehand. A great point ensues with both players showing lovely touch before Djokovic advances to the net and volleys a winner. A break in the first game!
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The players are out court on a chilly night in Madrid. Murray enters first, dressed in all black. Djokovic is next out (obviously) a smile to the crowd as he strolls on to court, looking the more relaxed of the two. Then again, he is 22-9 up in meeting between the two (and 3-0 up against Murray on clay). Murray wins the toss (which is done on a tablet for some reason) and will serve first.
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Why this matters for Djokovic: Novak is still searching for his first French Open title, and a win here will give him a boost in confidence - not that he really needs it - as Roland Garros comes into view. He’s also tied with Rafa Nadal for the most Masters titles in tour history (28). A win today and he’s in sole first place.
Why this matters for Murray: Andy is currently No2 in the world but needs to retain the title he won here last year to stay ahead of Roger Federer: lose today and he’s back down to a mere No3 in the world. He’s 0-3 against Djokovic on clay, although he’s won the title in Madrid twice, something Novak has only managed once.
Hello and welcome to today’s coverage of the men’s Madrid Open final. Both men find themselves on familiar ground: we’re 10 years from their first ever ATP meeting, which also took place in the Spanish capital (or as the ATP site tells us, their “first FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter”). They’ve now met 31 times, with Djokovic leading the series 22-9 - more worrisome for Murray, the Serb has won 11 of their last 12 encounters. And in that first match back in 2006? Novak won that one too, in three sets.
Having said that, Murray is a much improved player on clay these days. He’s 24-2 on clay since the start of 2015, and if he can be as aggressive against Djokovic as he was against Nadal in the semi-finals here this week he stands half a chance. Djokovic faltered a bit near the he end of his semi-final against Nishikori too. But if there’s one man who can raise his game when it matters, it’s Jamie Vard... it’s Novak Djokovic, the imperious world No1.
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