ThrowbackTimes Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic ousts Murray to set Roger Federer clash

Back in 2014, Novak Djokovic regained the ATP throne after Wimbledon, embracing another reign that would last until the closing stages of 2016 when Andy Murray moved ahead of him in the very last moment. Before Wimbledon, the Serb conquered the "Sunshine Double" in Indian Wells and Miami, claiming his second consecutive title in the desert to stand on three Indian Wells trophies. A year later, Novak returned to California after claiming the title in Melbourne, rising above all the rivals and as the favorite at the first Masters 1000 event of the season. Toppling Marcos Baghdatis, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and John Isner before Bernard Tomic gave him a walkover in the quarters, propelling Djokovic into the sixth semi-final where he defeated Andy Murray 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 28 minutes.

It was the 25th clash on the Tour between two coevals and the17th victory for Djokovic who had grabbed all six encounters versus Andy after Wimbledon 2013, dominating on both serve and return to cross the finish line first and set the title clash against Roger Federer. Serving under 50%, the Briton stood no chance against such a strong rival, hitting less than ten winners and spraying some 30 mistakes to plague his chances, losing half of the points in his games and suffering four breaks from six opportunities offered to Novak. The Serb forged the victory in the shortest points up to four strokes despite the same number of service winners, doing more damage with the first groundstroke or return to seal the deal and stay on the title course. Djokovic held at 15 with a service winner in the first game, securing a break in game two after a loose forehand from Murray and opening a 3-0 advantage after a couple of deuces in the third game.

Andy netted an easy forehand in the sixth game to get broken again, staying far behind and not being able to impose his shots. Out of sudden, the Briton pulled one break back with a backhand winner after a lucky net cord, reducing the deficit before experiencing a break at love in game eight to hand the opener to Novak after 36 minutes. With nothing working his way, Murray lost serve in the second game of the second set and Novak brought the next game home with a service winner to shape a 6-2, 3-0 advantage. Andy survived another challenging game to at least avoid a bagel, squandering two break chances in the next game as Djokovic won four points in a row to keep the serve intact and open a 4-1 lead. The Briton saved a match point in the eighth game before Novak sealed the deal a couple of minutes later, advancing to his fifth final in the desert.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2QkGcIz