Andy Murray will try to cap a milestone week, while Novak Djokovic is aiming for another hardcourt double victory when they square off in the Miami Open final on Sunday
Miami: Andy Murray will try to cap a milestone week, while Novak Djokovic is aiming for another hardcourt double victory when they square off in the Miami Open final on Sunday.
Murray will be gunning for his third Miami Masters title after beating Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to secure his final berth.
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Novak Djokovic returns to John Isner in the Miami Open semi-final. Pics/AFP
It marks the fourth trip to the championship match for Murray who earlier this week joined the elite club of players to win 500 career matches.
Djokovic, who defeated Murray in the Australian Open final earlier this year for his eighth Grand Slam crown, beat hard-serving John Isner 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in the other semi-final.
Djokovic, 27, is trying to become the first player to sweep the Indian Wells and Miami Masters hardcourt titles on three separate occasions.
He achieved the US hardcourt double in 2011 and again last year. “We have very similar games,” Djokovic said of Murray. “We already played twice this year, and in a big match in Australian Open final which was very, very physical and very close.
Andy Murray reacts after beating Czech’s Tomas Berdych in semis
“I expect a battle, long rallies, and I know what is expected of me on the court. I know his game pretty well, as well as he knows mine.”
Djokovic won the first set against Isner in a tiebreaker then got the early break in the second set to go up 2-1. Djokovic served brilliantly, blasting 10 aces and winning 80 percent of his first-serve points in the 90-minute match.
Djoko hails Isner
His two service breaks against Isner were the key as the towering American had not been broken coming into the semi-final contest. “He is the best server we have in the game,” Djokovic said of Isner.
“He is 6’10” so he can hit any angle he wants. I didn’t know what my preference was -- to have him hit his first serve in, or his second serve in. They are both equally good. I managed to get a lot of serves back. That was one of the keys of the match. To get into the rally and make him work extra hard.”
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