World No1 Novak Djokovic advanced to his second-straight Indian Wells final with a 6-2, 6-3 demolition of fourth seeded Andy Murray at Indian Wells last night.
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The defending champion is trying to become the first player to win consecutive titles since Roger Federer claimed three straight, beginning in 2004.
The Serb will meet the Swiss in tonight’s final after he defeated Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5, 6-4. Djokovic clinched the one hour, 28 minute match when Murray hit a backhand into the net on centre court at the Tennis Garden stadium.
Djokovic hit one ace, hammered 27 winners and broke Murray’s serve four times. Murray, who had won four straight matches to get to the semis, made 29 unforced errors and had four double faults.
“I expected a battle with Andy but he wasn’t on the high quality he usually is,” Djokovic said. “He made a lot of unforced errors today.”
Andy Murray on today’s defeat to Novak Djokovic… pic.twitter.com/ogWIlezbJk
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) March 21, 2015
Yesterday’s contest was a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final which Djokovic won in four sets. Djokovic extended his winning streak against Murray to six straight and has won 17 of 25 career contests between the two.
The British No. 1 had been impressive en route to a first Masters 1000 semi-final since his win in Miami two years ago, but he had no answer against the world No. 1.
Murray won the toss and elected to receive serve but it did not pay off, Djokovic holding comfortably before breaking Murray at the first time of asking.
Djokovic maintained the pressure and was up 4-1. He had his second break in game six when Murray netted a forehand. Murray gave himself some hope by getting a break back, a superb point setting him up at 15-40 even if the game was clinched with a netcord.
But he crashed straight to 0-40 on his own serve and Djokovic was ruthless, taking advantage of his first set point and consequently all three of his break points in the set.
The second set saw Djokovic again break in the second game, aided by a superb lob to Murray’s backhand corner which sent the game to deuce.
Murray had to work hard in his next service game before holding, and Djokovic then saved two break points to go to 4-1 and on to 5-2. Murray slipped from 30-0 up to 30-40 and was facing a match point, but forced Djokovic to serve the match out.
The Serbian set up three more match points at 40-0 and though he let two slip away – the first with a double fault – he got across the line.
