MIAMI, (Reuters) – Andy Murray won his third ATP title of the year beating Novak Djokovic 6-2 7-5 in the South Florida heat yesterday to win the Sony Ericsson Open.
Playing intelligent and varied attacking shots allied to his usual impressive defence, the Briton was on top for all but the first part of the second set.
After dominating the first, Murray came back from 5-2 down in the second, the decisive moment coming when he broke Djokovic in the ninth game on a challenged call after the Serb had squandered two set points.
On break point, Djokovic’s shot was called out and although he challenged the decision it was upheld, allowing Murray to draw level by holding serve in the next game.
The Scot then came back from 30-0 on Djokovic’s serve to break again, having a bit of luck when his return clipped the top of the net and an off-balance Djokovic hit wide.
Murray, ranked fourth in the world, was left to serve out the match and clinch his third Masters series win and his 11th title on the ATP Tour.
The Miami event is celebrating its 25th year but no Briton had previously managed to win the tournament at Key Biscayne.
The match took place in oven-like heat in the early afternoon and Djokovic — who has a history of struggling in high temperatures, retiring from the Australian Open in January — had to call for his trainer after the first game of the second set.
The world number three had played a series of sloppy returns in the first set and conceded he was well below his best.
“I was, I think, the biggest enemy to myself. I was struggling again and trying to adjust to the heat,” he told reporters.
“But I was really impatient at the start. I made a huge number of unforced errors and he was just playing very solid and waiting for his chances and serving quite well, moving all over the court quite well,” added Djokovic.
“I managed to come back in the second set but I didn’t play smart at 5-3. I had two set points … I had to use those opportunities then who knows what could have happened in the third set.”
Murray has now beaten Djokovic in each of their last three meetings after losing their initial four and his victory, coming after a runners-up spot in the Indian Wells Masters event, completes an excellent month for the 21-year-old.
“I played a very good first set and then Novak called the trainer after I broke him in the first game (of the second set),” he said.
“We had a little break and then he started to come to the net on 60, 70 percent of the points. I started mis-hitting some balls and lost my rhythm for a little while.
“But obviously I managed to find it when it was important at the end of that set,” he said.
“Any time you win a tournament it obviously gives you confidence. The Masters series have always been (the big ones) after the slams, they’re tough tournaments to win.”
