05. 04. 2009. ·
World number three Novak Djokovic lost in the Sony Ericsson Open finals to no.4 seed Andy Murray 2-6 5-7 in 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Novak didn’t start the final match well. He was broken twice, in the first and the third game. Murray held his serves convincingly and took the first set 6-2.
The second set was much closer, though it started like the first, with a break for the Scot. Djokovic started playing better from that moment, and broke his opponent’s service twice, in the second and the fourth game. He then held to increase his lead to 4-1. The crucial moment happened in the ninth game when Nole was serving for the set at 5-3 and had two set points, but failed to close it, making double fault on the second set point. Murray earned himself a break point and converted it for 5-4. Novak lost his momentum, got broken to love in the eleventh game and Andy Murray won the set and the match 7-5 to become the Miami Masters champion.
Djokovic served 2 aces to Murray’s 8. The Serb made 5 double faults.
Nole hit 21 winners to Andy’s 25, and made 36 unforced errors to the Scot’s 19. Djokovic capitalised on 2 of his 5 chances for break, while Murray converted 5 of his 11 break points.
This was the seventh time the 21-year olds were meeting in an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. Djokovic owns a 4-3 record, Murray won the last three matches.
There’s been a lot at stake. The winner Andy Murray won $605,500 and 1000 ATP points, while Djokovic as runner-up got $295,500 and 600 ATP points.
The best Serbian tennis player will still be no.3 in the world on Monday, but Andy Murray will move within 170 points of Nole going into the clay season.
Djokovic’s next tournament is Monte Carlo Rolex Masters that starts on April,13th.
