ThrowbackTimes Miami: Novak Djokovic sprints past Andy Murray to reach final

Novak Djokovic was a man on the missing in the first couple of months of 2007, winning the title in Adelaide and reaching the fourth-round clash at the Australian Open to Roger Federer. The Serb returned to his best in March, reaching the first Masters 1000 final in Indian Wells and claiming the first title in Miami two weeks later, still standing as the last teenager with a trophy at this level. Just like in Indian Wells, Djokovic was too strong for Andy Murray in the semis, beating the Briton and his coeval for the third time in as many matches and continuing where he left in the previous round against world no. 2 Rafael Nadal. It was the clash of the 10th and 12th seeds but there was only one player on the court, with Novak scoring a 6-1, 6-0 triumph in 63 minutes to race into the title clash. Andy spent just over 30 minutes in the quarter-final duel versus Andy Roddick who had to retire before the end of the opening set, saving energy but suffering a massive loss against Novak who outplayed him in every element on that day.

Djokovic lost 12 points in seven service games,  fending off all three break chances and stealing almost 60% of the return points for a marvelous performance that saw him taking five breaks from nine opportunities and seal the deal in no time at all. Serving at 41%, Murray couldn't stand a chance against such a reliable returner, staying on some five winners and more than 20 unforced errors and losing ground in the mid-range and most extended exchanges to drop 11 straight games and propel Djokovic through. Interestingly, Novak was the first to face troubles on serve in the third game, fending off three break chances and winning five points in a row to avoid an early setback and move 2-1 in front. He broke Andy in the very next game following a forehand error from the Briton, opening a 4-1 gap after a hold at love and securing another break in the next game to serve for the set after just 27 minutes.

Novak blasted four service winners in the seventh game to close the opener in style, dominating on the court so far and hoping for more of the same in set number two. Things went from bad to worse for Murray who suffered a break in the first game of the second set, reaching deuce on the return in the next game before Novak grabbed it with a service winner to gain a 6-1, 2-0 advantage. Djokovic secured another break in game three and raced into a 5-0 lead following a double fault from Andy, moving over the top with four winners in game six to destroy the opponent and set the final clash against Guillermo Canas. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3bmoPj3