02. 03. 2012. · Photo: Reuters
Nole suffered a 2-6, 5-7 loss against Andy Murray in the semi-final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today.
The defending champion couldn’t find his rhythm and had no solution for Murray’s solid performance.
Novak was broken in the sixth game of the opening set. He earned himself two break points in the very next game, but the Scot held and broke once again to take the set 6-2 in 30 minutes.
The British no.1 raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set. Nole fought back in the ninth game and consolidated the break to level the score to 5-all. However, he lost the next two games and Murray clinched his fifth career win over our champion.
Andy converted 4 of his 5 break point chances and won 85 per cent of points on his first serve to win in 1 hour and 22 minutes.
He will face either Roger Federer or Juan Martin Del Potro in the finals of the ATP World Tour 500 event.
“Andy played a great match,” said Novak. “He was the better player today. He was serving really well. I made a lot of unforced errors when it was important. It’s been a great tournament here in Dubai.”
ATP World Tour continues in the USA. Nole will next play in Indian Wells and Miami, the first two Masters tournaments of the season, where he will defend his titles and 2000 points.
“I’m looking forward to Indian Wells, Miami, which are the next tournaments, next challenges. I think I have more than enough time to get ready for it.”
