Djokovic to face-off against Murray in Miami Open final

Djokovic overcame John Isner in straight sets after Andy Murray had dispatched Tomas Berdych in similar fashion earlier on Friday to set up the title clash at the Miami Open.

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Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray had it easy in their respective semi-finals on Friday, with both of them overcoming their opponents in straight sets to set up a mouth-watering title clash for the Miami Open. Djokovic, who is also the defending champion, won the last encounter against Murray in the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open.

Djokovic beat big-serving American John Isner 7-6 (3), 6-2 to book his berth in the final. Isner fought hard in the first set yielding a break point only in the 12th game of the set, but saved it to take the set to the tiebreak, which Djokovic won easily 7-3.

The American, however, seemed to lose his bearings in the second set and was broken twice by the World Number one, who wrapped up the second set 6-2, to keep alive his bid to win a fifth Miami Open crown. Djokovic was at his dominant best, as he fired 10 aces, struck 25 winners and gave away not a single break point as he cruised to a win in 90 minutes.

“I thought he played pretty well,” said Isner. “I certainly needed to play better in order to beat him, and I didn't do it. He was too good.”

“I’m glad that I managed to realise everything that I intended tactically before the match,” said Djokovic. “It’s always tough to play somebody that serves that well.

"At the end of the day, it is important to hang in there mentally, be patient… I used the court very well, and [I’m] pleased with the performance”, he added.

Going into the final, Djokovic leads the head-to-head against Murray 17-8.

Murray has it easy against Tomas Berdych

In the other semi-final, Andy Murray rode to a straight sets win in a canter, defeating Czech World Number 9 Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4.

The match-up between Murray and Berdych was, in fact, a repeat of the Australian Open semi-final, which the Scot had won in four sets. At Miami, Murray broke Berdych’s serve four times in the course of his win, his sixth against the Czech. The win took Murray’s head-to-head record against Berdych to 6-6.

Murray, who lost to Djokovic at the semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open as well as in the final of the Australian Open early this year, will look to exact revenge from the Serb, who, despite a few glitches in the tournament, looks to be in top form.

Murray, who at the time of his win was unaware as to who he might face in the final, spoke about a possible final against Djokovic and said – “I know I need to play high-level tennis.He returns well so I need to get the balance right of being patient but dictating points when I get the opportunity.”

"I've played well this week, much better than I did at Indian Wells”, he added.

With both Djokovic and Murray heading into the final high on confidence, the title clash promises to a cracker of a contest.