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| Andy Murray v Novak Djokovic: Miami Open men's final – live! | Andy Murray v Novak Djokovic: Miami Open men's final – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.49pm ET20:49 | |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 4-0 Murray (*denotes server) | |
| I’m not saying that Murray needs to break now. But he needs to break now. Murray has a slight limp now. Or maybe it’s just the disconsolate trudge of a beaten man. Djokovic holds to love. | |
| 3.45pm ET20:45 | |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 3-0 Murray* (*denotes server) | |
| Oh dear. Murray appears to be collapsing in this final set. Some lazy shots and he’s 0-30 down. Then an even lazier shot leads to a double fault and a 0-40 lead for Djokovic. This is a familiar pattern for Murray against Djokovic. Or is it? Murray battles back to deuce, shutting up the backseat drivers like me. Various deuces ensue before Murray sends an overhead into the top of the net. An easy miss for Murray but will it cost him? Yes, yes, it will. Djokovic looks set for victory now. | |
| 3.36pm ET20:36 | |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 2-0 Murray (*denotes server) | |
| Murray mutters “I’m gone”. He look pretty good taking the game to 15-15 with a low forehand winner that gives Djokovic no chance. An overhead and a fizzing ace take Djokovic to 40-30 before Murray hits back with a punched forehand that Djokovic can’t return. A series of deft volleys from both players ends with a brilliantly angled winner from Djokovic. | |
| 3.30pm ET20:30 | |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 1-0 Murray* (*denotes server) | |
| Murray does very well to win that second set against a player so ruthless at closing out matches. Novak had a minor contretemps with the umpire after throwing a towel in the general direction of his coaches at the end of the last set. They’re friends again now though. Novak has to go to bed early tonight though, and has to mow the lawn for the next three weeks - NO ARGUMENTS. Before the Murray camp gets too excited: Djokovic is 32-0 after winning the first set at Miami. Just to prove the point, Djokovic has a break point after some remarkable shots followed by a dumped volley into the net from Murray. A tired looking Murray shot gives Djokovic the break. | |
| 3.20pm ET20:20 | |
| Second set to Murray! Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 4-6 Murray | |
| The match ticks past the two-hour mark, and Djokovic has to hold to stay in this set. Murray gets off to the ideal start and a double fault brings us to 0-30. Oh! And a brilliant winner from Murray takes us to 0-40, a looping forehand plonks on to the line and Murray raises his fist in celebration. Murray makes no mistake on his first break point and we’re going to a third set. | |
| 3.14pm ET20:14 | 3.14pm ET20:14 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 4-5 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 4-5 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray’s recovery shot is a huge hoik into the air. It swirls in the wind – I’m guessing it does as you can’t actually see it on camera – and Djokovic loses track, sending his return long, when the ball eventually returns to earth. Djokovic has looked slightly listless in this set, then again we’re entering the point where he finds another gear, eviscerating his opponent (don’t worry kids, not literally). Some speculation that Andy is benefitting from more practice at playing during the heat of the day in this tournament, although I would have thought that would make him more tired. He’s definitely more tired after Djokovic pushes and pulls his around the court before fizzing a winner to make it 40-30. Murray holds though. | Murray’s recovery shot is a huge hoik into the air. It swirls in the wind – I’m guessing it does as you can’t actually see it on camera – and Djokovic loses track, sending his return long, when the ball eventually returns to earth. Djokovic has looked slightly listless in this set, then again we’re entering the point where he finds another gear, eviscerating his opponent (don’t worry kids, not literally). Some speculation that Andy is benefitting from more practice at playing during the heat of the day in this tournament, although I would have thought that would make him more tired. He’s definitely more tired after Djokovic pushes and pulls his around the court before fizzing a winner to make it 40-30. Murray holds though. |
| 3.08pm ET20:08 | 3.08pm ET20:08 |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 4-4 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 4-4 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic regathers himself for his service game and does so very well. Until he double faults at 40-15, at least. Murray gifts him the game though, paffing a forehand into the net off a weak second serve. | Djokovic regathers himself for his service game and does so very well. Until he double faults at 40-15, at least. Murray gifts him the game though, paffing a forehand into the net off a weak second serve. |
| 3.02pm ET20:02 | 3.02pm ET20:02 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 3-4 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 3-4 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic gets very angry at a misjudged volley that pings off the top of his racket – he swats a the ball afterwards like it’s an annoying bee. Leave the ball alone, Novak - it’s only obeying physics. Murray exploits this moment of distraction and is soon 40-0 up. He wins the game with a 132mph ace. | Djokovic gets very angry at a misjudged volley that pings off the top of his racket – he swats a the ball afterwards like it’s an annoying bee. Leave the ball alone, Novak - it’s only obeying physics. Murray exploits this moment of distraction and is soon 40-0 up. He wins the game with a 132mph ace. |
| 2.57pm ET19:57 | 2.57pm ET19:57 |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 3-3 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 3-3 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Murray is looking at his best since the early exchanges of the first set. But Djokovic, as he does, keeps himself in the game. And seals it with a wonderful backhand winner down the line. | Murray is looking at his best since the early exchanges of the first set. But Djokovic, as he does, keeps himself in the game. And seals it with a wonderful backhand winner down the line. |
| Updated at 3.07pm ET | Updated at 3.07pm ET |
| 2.51pm ET19:51 | 2.51pm ET19:51 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 2-3 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 2-3 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray’s serve continues to impress. An ace down the middle swerves away from Djokovic at the last minute. Murray now leads 5-3 in aces. The actual match? not so much. The sun – sorry to go on about it - but the sun seems to be less of an issue for servers now as it gets lower in the sky. Murray closes out with not too many problems. | Murray’s serve continues to impress. An ace down the middle swerves away from Djokovic at the last minute. Murray now leads 5-3 in aces. The actual match? not so much. The sun – sorry to go on about it - but the sun seems to be less of an issue for servers now as it gets lower in the sky. Murray closes out with not too many problems. |
| 2.48pm ET19:48 | 2.48pm ET19:48 |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 2-2 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 2-2 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Murray really did step up his serve in that last game. It gives him a spring in his step going into Djokovic’s service game too: he’s 0-15 and 15-30 up in the opening exchanges. For fans of scoring patterns he’s then 30-40 up. Murray looks a good shout to break but a dipping backhand comes more of a looping backhand when it clips the net-cord and bounces up and out. Djokovic doesn’t look back and takes the game. | Murray really did step up his serve in that last game. It gives him a spring in his step going into Djokovic’s service game too: he’s 0-15 and 15-30 up in the opening exchanges. For fans of scoring patterns he’s then 30-40 up. Murray looks a good shout to break but a dipping backhand comes more of a looping backhand when it clips the net-cord and bounces up and out. Djokovic doesn’t look back and takes the game. |
| 2.41pm ET19:41 | 2.41pm ET19:41 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 1-2 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 1-2 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray indulges his weakness for poorly-chosen drop shots - he actually has Djokovic in a little trouble but his opponent recovers and Murray sends the return long. Worse follows: he then misses an easy-ish smash to make it 0-30. Another weak volley from Murray allows Djokovic to send a winner down court to make it 15-40. But Murray shows fight and a lovely lob takes us to deuce. Djokovic cranks up the pressure, ofrcing Murray to save two break points but some good serving keeps Murray in the game. A crucial hold for Murray. And his serve looked like a weapon for the first time in the match. “Perhaps if Andy offered Novak a nice gluten sandwich...” offers Tina Dooley. | Murray indulges his weakness for poorly-chosen drop shots - he actually has Djokovic in a little trouble but his opponent recovers and Murray sends the return long. Worse follows: he then misses an easy-ish smash to make it 0-30. Another weak volley from Murray allows Djokovic to send a winner down court to make it 15-40. But Murray shows fight and a lovely lob takes us to deuce. Djokovic cranks up the pressure, ofrcing Murray to save two break points but some good serving keeps Murray in the game. A crucial hold for Murray. And his serve looked like a weapon for the first time in the match. “Perhaps if Andy offered Novak a nice gluten sandwich...” offers Tina Dooley. |
| Updated at 2.50pm ET | Updated at 2.50pm ET |
| 2.33pm ET19:33 | 2.33pm ET19:33 |
| Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 1-1 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 7-6 (7-3), 1-1 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Murray hits the ball high into the air. Maybe trying to test Novak’s ability to track the ball in the sun but the world No1 does what a world No1 does and wins the point with ease. An ace wins the game. | Murray hits the ball high into the air. Maybe trying to test Novak’s ability to track the ball in the sun but the world No1 does what a world No1 does and wins the point with ease. An ace wins the game. |
| 2.30pm ET19:30 | 2.30pm ET19:30 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 0-1 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 0-1 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray starts from the End of Doom, as if things weren’t hard enough already. He looks comfortable enough though going out to a 40-0 lead. A good response after a painful end to the first serve. Things get a little rockier after that – a foot fault is involved – but a poor shot from Djokovic gives Murray the game. And he’s held looking into the sun. Take that fiery giver of life! | Murray starts from the End of Doom, as if things weren’t hard enough already. He looks comfortable enough though going out to a 40-0 lead. A good response after a painful end to the first serve. Things get a little rockier after that – a foot fault is involved – but a poor shot from Djokovic gives Murray the game. And he’s held looking into the sun. Take that fiery giver of life! |
| 2.26pm ET19:26 | 2.26pm ET19:26 |
| Djokovic 7-6 (7-3) Murray | Djokovic 7-6 (7-3) Murray |
| That set was even until Djokovic, as so often, pulled away at the very last. Murray has a tough task now – Djokovic has only lost once in 38 finals after winning the first set. ANd that was against some guy called Rafa Nadal. On clay, I believe. So there’s that. | That set was even until Djokovic, as so often, pulled away at the very last. Murray has a tough task now – Djokovic has only lost once in 38 finals after winning the first set. ANd that was against some guy called Rafa Nadal. On clay, I believe. So there’s that. |
| 2.22pm ET19:22 | 2.22pm ET19:22 |
| First set to Djokovic! Djokovic 7-6 (7-3) Murray | First set to Djokovic! Djokovic 7-6 (7-3) Murray |
| And another weak forehand from Murray - under pressure from Djokovic - settles the set. | And another weak forehand from Murray - under pressure from Djokovic - settles the set. |
| Updated at 2.29pm ET | Updated at 2.29pm ET |
| 2.21pm ET19:21 | 2.21pm ET19:21 |
| Djokovic* 6-6 (6-3) Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 6-6 (6-3) Murray (*denotes server) |
| A break from Murray has Djokovic sends a forehand long. He thinks about the challenge but gets on with his game. Murray seems to have the next point in control but then sends the ball into the net under no pressure. Three set points ... | A break from Murray has Djokovic sends a forehand long. He thinks about the challenge but gets on with his game. Murray seems to have the next point in control but then sends the ball into the net under no pressure. Three set points ... |
| 2.19pm ET19:19 | 2.19pm ET19:19 |
| Djokovic 6-6 (5-2) Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 6-6 (5-2) Murray* (*denotes server) |
| A great forehand gives Murray some hope. He takes a long swig of his drink and regatehrs for battle. He’s now serving with the sun on his back, an advantage so far. But a mishit forehand gives Novak a big chance to win the set. | A great forehand gives Murray some hope. He takes a long swig of his drink and regatehrs for battle. He’s now serving with the sun on his back, an advantage so far. But a mishit forehand gives Novak a big chance to win the set. |
| 2.17pm ET19:17 | 2.17pm ET19:17 |
| Djokovic* 6-6 (4-1) Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 6-6 (4-1) Murray (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic cruising to the first set. A double fault gives Murray some hope. | Djokovic cruising to the first set. A double fault gives Murray some hope. |
| 2.16pm ET19:16 | 2.16pm ET19:16 |
| Djokovic 6-6 (3-0) Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 6-6 (3-0) Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic then gets the early break as Murray sends it long. The Scot challenges but the replay goes against him. Another long forehand and Murray is in trouble. | Djokovic then gets the early break as Murray sends it long. The Scot challenges but the replay goes against him. Another long forehand and Murray is in trouble. |
| Updated at 2.16pm ET | Updated at 2.16pm ET |
| 2.14pm ET19:14 | 2.14pm ET19:14 |
| Djokovic* 6-6 (1-0) Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 6-6 (1-0) Murray (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic holds easily on the opening point. | Djokovic holds easily on the opening point. |
| Updated at 2.19pm ET | Updated at 2.19pm ET |
| 2.13pm ET19:13 | 2.13pm ET19:13 |
| Djokovic 6-6 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 6-6 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray serving to force a tiebreak. A good start for Novak, Murray sails a forehand right down the middle of the court and the Serb is at the net to gobble it up with an easy volley. He wins the next too but a brave drop shot from Murray brings the score back to 15-30. A 25-shot rally ends in a scorching backhand from Murray and the Scot has clawed back to 30-30. At 40-30 a netcord gifts Djokovic a point to take us to deuce. Murray keeps his cool though and we’re at a tiebreak. | Murray serving to force a tiebreak. A good start for Novak, Murray sails a forehand right down the middle of the court and the Serb is at the net to gobble it up with an easy volley. He wins the next too but a brave drop shot from Murray brings the score back to 15-30. A 25-shot rally ends in a scorching backhand from Murray and the Scot has clawed back to 30-30. At 40-30 a netcord gifts Djokovic a point to take us to deuce. Murray keeps his cool though and we’re at a tiebreak. |
| 2.06pm ET19:06 | 2.06pm ET19:06 |
| Djokovic* 6-5 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 6-5 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic still struggling with the ball toss. But still makes it to 30-15 with a lovely forehand winner down the line, Murray screams in frustration. He’s still distracted the next point and hits an easy shot into the net to make it 40-15. Next point is another error from Murray and Djokovic has held at the tough end of the court. | Djokovic still struggling with the ball toss. But still makes it to 30-15 with a lovely forehand winner down the line, Murray screams in frustration. He’s still distracted the next point and hits an easy shot into the net to make it 40-15. Next point is another error from Murray and Djokovic has held at the tough end of the court. |
| 2.02pm ET19:02 | 2.02pm ET19:02 |
| Djokovic 5-5 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 5-5 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| All the breaks have come when players are serving into the sun. Murray has it at his back now. Murray nearly pulls off a brilliant reflex volley but nets it and puts a little pressure on himself at 0-15. He fights back well though, and his serve is noticeably faster now that he doesn’t have the sun to worry about. I mean, he still needs to worry about it in a freak solar flare knocking out all electronic equipment on Earth way. But in a more immediate sense he can relax about it. Anyway, he holds easily. Novak now needs to serve into the sun. Yipes! | All the breaks have come when players are serving into the sun. Murray has it at his back now. Murray nearly pulls off a brilliant reflex volley but nets it and puts a little pressure on himself at 0-15. He fights back well though, and his serve is noticeably faster now that he doesn’t have the sun to worry about. I mean, he still needs to worry about it in a freak solar flare knocking out all electronic equipment on Earth way. But in a more immediate sense he can relax about it. Anyway, he holds easily. Novak now needs to serve into the sun. Yipes! |
| 1.57pm ET18:57 | 1.57pm ET18:57 |
| Djokovic* 5-4 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 5-4 Murray (*denotes server) |
| A decent rally on the first point, before a Murray error. but it highlights how sharp and short a lot of the points have been in the opening set – very little stuff from the baseline. A big ace, Djokovic second of the match takes him to 40-0 and it’s soon game. Murray has to serve to stay in the set. | A decent rally on the first point, before a Murray error. but it highlights how sharp and short a lot of the points have been in the opening set – very little stuff from the baseline. A big ace, Djokovic second of the match takes him to 40-0 and it’s soon game. Murray has to serve to stay in the set. |
| 1.54pm ET18:54 | 1.54pm ET18:54 |
| Djokovic 4-4 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 4-4 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Let’s see how Murray defends his serve. Not that well to start - two unforced errors and he’s down 0-30. His first serve is well down again but it’s not just that, he’s not controlling his shots well at all and a poor forehand gives Djokovic three break points. An awful, awful backhand is sent well wide, and Drokovic breaks back. | Let’s see how Murray defends his serve. Not that well to start - two unforced errors and he’s down 0-30. His first serve is well down again but it’s not just that, he’s not controlling his shots well at all and a poor forehand gives Djokovic three break points. An awful, awful backhand is sent well wide, and Drokovic breaks back. |
| Updated at 2.07pm ET | Updated at 2.07pm ET |
| 1.49pm ET18:49 | 1.49pm ET18:49 |
| Djokovic* 3-4 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 3-4 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Djokovic now serving into the sun, and he’s having a few problems with his ball toss early on – and is soon 0-30 down. And then a long backhand makes it 0-40. Another unforced error from Djokovic and Murray has the game – and the last eight points. | Djokovic now serving into the sun, and he’s having a few problems with his ball toss early on – and is soon 0-30 down. And then a long backhand makes it 0-40. Another unforced error from Djokovic and Murray has the game – and the last eight points. |
| 1.46pm ET18:46 | 1.46pm ET18:46 |
| Djokovic 3-3 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 3-3 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray now has the sun out of his eyes, and is serving into the “favourable” end. If serving at Novak can ever be called favourable. Murray wins the point anyway, and rather well judging by the cheers. I miss the point completely as I am typing “favourable”. I do see the point to get him to 30-0 – Murray scuttles in to recover a drop shot and then seals with a volley as Djokovic recovers. Great stuff from both men. Murray holds to love. Great response after a few duff games from the Scot. | Murray now has the sun out of his eyes, and is serving into the “favourable” end. If serving at Novak can ever be called favourable. Murray wins the point anyway, and rather well judging by the cheers. I miss the point completely as I am typing “favourable”. I do see the point to get him to 30-0 – Murray scuttles in to recover a drop shot and then seals with a volley as Djokovic recovers. Great stuff from both men. Murray holds to love. Great response after a few duff games from the Scot. |
| 1.41pm ET18:41 | 1.41pm ET18:41 |
| Djokovic* 3-2 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 3-2 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Happy Easter is trending on Twitter. In order to keep up with current social trends I’d just like to say: Happy Easter. Would that have been funnier if I’d said “Merry Xmas”. Maybe. Too late now. Oh, Andy! Yet another mishit. He’s at 0-30 but a ridiculous misfire on a forehand sees the ball sail long and soon we’re at 40-30. Novak Djokovic is hald decent at tennis and Murray has really not exploited a spell when the Serb hasn’t played well. | Happy Easter is trending on Twitter. In order to keep up with current social trends I’d just like to say: Happy Easter. Would that have been funnier if I’d said “Merry Xmas”. Maybe. Too late now. Oh, Andy! Yet another mishit. He’s at 0-30 but a ridiculous misfire on a forehand sees the ball sail long and soon we’re at 40-30. Novak Djokovic is hald decent at tennis and Murray has really not exploited a spell when the Serb hasn’t played well. |
| 1.37pm ET18:37 | 1.37pm ET18:37 |
| Djokovic 2-2 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 2-2 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Early days yet, says John McEnerney: | Early days yet, says John McEnerney: |
| @tom_lutz Novak is on one of those ruthless streaks that all the great players have 2 or 3 times in their careers where they're unstoppable. | @tom_lutz Novak is on one of those ruthless streaks that all the great players have 2 or 3 times in their careers where they're unstoppable. |
| We’re being told that Djokovic was missing a lot of serves in the morning warm-up, and was pretty frustrated. There have been plenty of errors elsewhere today: he puts a simple forehand into the net to give Murray a 15-0 lead. Maybe Andy feels bad for Novak: he dribbles a 71mph second-serve into the net to make it 30-30 and we’re soon at deuce. Murray is making a habit of these slow serves today: a 95mph first serve helps set up a break point for Djokovic. Murray screams in frustration. It gets worse, Djokovic breaks. Some bad errors from Murray rather than great play by his opponent. | We’re being told that Djokovic was missing a lot of serves in the morning warm-up, and was pretty frustrated. There have been plenty of errors elsewhere today: he puts a simple forehand into the net to give Murray a 15-0 lead. Maybe Andy feels bad for Novak: he dribbles a 71mph second-serve into the net to make it 30-30 and we’re soon at deuce. Murray is making a habit of these slow serves today: a 95mph first serve helps set up a break point for Djokovic. Murray screams in frustration. It gets worse, Djokovic breaks. Some bad errors from Murray rather than great play by his opponent. |
| 1.28pm ET18:28 | 1.28pm ET18:28 |
| Djokovic* 1-2 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 1-2 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Murray is looking far the peppier of the two so far. A lovely exchange of backhands between the players ends with a drive down the line that Djokovic parries into the net and Murray is 0-30 up. He’s definitely the more aggressive of the two so far - when you’re coming off an 18,456-match losing streak against Djokovic I guess anything goes. A wide forehand from Djokovic brings Murray’s second break point of the match: and he seals it with a smash after working his opponent around the court – he should get married every week. | Murray is looking far the peppier of the two so far. A lovely exchange of backhands between the players ends with a drive down the line that Djokovic parries into the net and Murray is 0-30 up. He’s definitely the more aggressive of the two so far - when you’re coming off an 18,456-match losing streak against Djokovic I guess anything goes. A wide forehand from Djokovic brings Murray’s second break point of the match: and he seals it with a smash after working his opponent around the court – he should get married every week. |
| 1.24pm ET18:24 | 1.24pm ET18:24 |
| Djokovic 1-1 Murray* (*denotes server) | Djokovic 1-1 Murray* (*denotes server) |
| Murray does a Djokovic, getting away to a 30-0 lead fairly comfortably. Djokovic then knocks a forehand long and dumps a backhand into the net off a quickish second serve and Murray holds to love. | Murray does a Djokovic, getting away to a 30-0 lead fairly comfortably. Djokovic then knocks a forehand long and dumps a backhand into the net off a quickish second serve and Murray holds to love. |
| 1.21pm ET18:21 | 1.21pm ET18:21 |
| Djokovic* 1-0 Murray (*denotes server) | Djokovic* 1-0 Murray (*denotes server) |
| Both players are willing to come to the net early on. Murray is outfoxed by a volley-lob to take it to 30-0 for Djokovic. The world No1 is looking comofortable until he dumps an easy smash into the net with Murray nowhere to take it to 30-30. Murray gets a break point but passes up the chance of a winner down the line and we’re at deuce. Djokovic closes it out with a few more volleys. | Both players are willing to come to the net early on. Murray is outfoxed by a volley-lob to take it to 30-0 for Djokovic. The world No1 is looking comofortable until he dumps an easy smash into the net with Murray nowhere to take it to 30-30. Murray gets a break point but passes up the chance of a winner down the line and we’re at deuce. Djokovic closes it out with a few more volleys. |
| 1.13pm ET18:13 | 1.13pm ET18:13 |
| And our players are warming up. There are blue skies over the arena although there are plenty of gusts, um, gusting about the court. Murray is in all white, Djokovic in a blue shirt and white cap. The sun will be in both players’ eyes. Andy Murray has won the toss and will receive first. | And our players are warming up. There are blue skies over the arena although there are plenty of gusts, um, gusting about the court. Murray is in all white, Djokovic in a blue shirt and white cap. The sun will be in both players’ eyes. Andy Murray has won the toss and will receive first. |
| 1.10pm ET18:10 | 1.10pm ET18:10 |
| You could the first set is crucial. Novak is a mere 38-1 when he wins the first set in a final. If he wins today, he’ll have won both Miami and Indian Wells two years in a row. | You could the first set is crucial. Novak is a mere 38-1 when he wins the first set in a final. If he wins today, he’ll have won both Miami and Indian Wells two years in a row. |
| 1.00pm ET18:00 | 1.00pm ET18:00 |
| Omens: 1) Murray hasn’t beaten a fellow member of the Big Four in his last 11 attempts. The last time he managed that was in 2013, when he won little-known London grass-court tournament “Wimbledon”, beating Djokovic in the final. 2) Djokovic has never beaten Murray in the week before his wedding. | Omens: 1) Murray hasn’t beaten a fellow member of the Big Four in his last 11 attempts. The last time he managed that was in 2013, when he won little-known London grass-court tournament “Wimbledon”, beating Djokovic in the final. 2) Djokovic has never beaten Murray in the week before his wedding. |
| 12.49pm ET17:49 | 12.49pm ET17:49 |
| Good news for both players. Whatever happens today, Murray will move up to third in the world rankings when they’re published on Monday. While Djokovic will remain world No1, his 141st week at the top of the rankings - that will tie him with Rafael Nadal for time spent at the summit. They’re both a mere 161 weeks off Roger Federer’s record. | Good news for both players. Whatever happens today, Murray will move up to third in the world rankings when they’re published on Monday. While Djokovic will remain world No1, his 141st week at the top of the rankings - that will tie him with Rafael Nadal for time spent at the summit. They’re both a mere 161 weeks off Roger Federer’s record. |
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| The winner today gets $900,400, the loser will have to make do with $439,420. Whichever way it goes, Andy Murray should be able to afford cocktail sausages and those nice Thai prawns for the wedding reception. Which incidentally is at Andy Murray’s hotel. Which is incidentally where my cousin works. What kind of boss is Andy? He wins the work tennis tournament every year. Every year. | The winner today gets $900,400, the loser will have to make do with $439,420. Whichever way it goes, Andy Murray should be able to afford cocktail sausages and those nice Thai prawns for the wedding reception. Which incidentally is at Andy Murray’s hotel. Which is incidentally where my cousin works. What kind of boss is Andy? He wins the work tennis tournament every year. Every year. |
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| Hello. And welcome to Andy Murray’s final final as a single man. It’s a goody too: he’s up against his old rival Novak Djokovic. Djokovic is the man with recent history in his favour too: he’s won their last six matches and the last nine on hard courts. Djokovic will win his fifth Miami Open title if he comes out on top today, Murray his third. | Hello. And welcome to Andy Murray’s final final as a single man. It’s a goody too: he’s up against his old rival Novak Djokovic. Djokovic is the man with recent history in his favour too: he’s won their last six matches and the last nine on hard courts. Djokovic will win his fifth Miami Open title if he comes out on top today, Murray his third. |
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| Tom will be here shortly for coverage of Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray. In the meantime, here’s how Serena Williams got on yesterday in the women’s final: | Tom will be here shortly for coverage of Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray. In the meantime, here’s how Serena Williams got on yesterday in the women’s final: |
| Serena Williams played some magnificent shots to win her eighth Miami Open title but was horrified at the thought of winning four more. | Serena Williams played some magnificent shots to win her eighth Miami Open title but was horrified at the thought of winning four more. |
| Williams enjoyed a 6-2, 6-0 win over Carla Suárez Navarro in just 56 minutes on Saturday to become the fourth woman in the open era to win the same tournament eight times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf. | Williams enjoyed a 6-2, 6-0 win over Carla Suárez Navarro in just 56 minutes on Saturday to become the fourth woman in the open era to win the same tournament eight times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf. |
| The most titles won at a single event is 12 by Navratilova, in Chicago – but Williams was not thrilled by the suggestion she might manage four more in Miami. “I hope not because I would still be here and I would be how old?” the 33-year-old said, counting on her fingers. “No. Let’s pray that I don’t get to 12.” | The most titles won at a single event is 12 by Navratilova, in Chicago – but Williams was not thrilled by the suggestion she might manage four more in Miami. “I hope not because I would still be here and I would be how old?” the 33-year-old said, counting on her fingers. “No. Let’s pray that I don’t get to 12.” |
| Given the one-sided nature of the final in Key Biscayne and the lack of real competition for Williams, who has been the world No1 for over two years, she might not be the only one. | Given the one-sided nature of the final in Key Biscayne and the lack of real competition for Williams, who has been the world No1 for over two years, she might not be the only one. |
| She added: “It feels really good to have eight under my belt. I can’t say I thought I would win eight, especially in the beginning of the week.” | She added: “It feels really good to have eight under my belt. I can’t say I thought I would win eight, especially in the beginning of the week.” |