Filed under: Tennis
Andy Murray spurned a glorious opportunity to end Novak Djokovic's incredible unbeaten run in 2011 as the Serb edged a thrilling last-four contest to set up a showdown with Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final of the Rome Masters.The world No. 2 claimed a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (2) triumph to break British hearts but it could have been a very different story after the Scot had served for the match at 5-4 up in the third set.
It means a repeat of last week's final in Madrid, where Nadal, who defeated Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-1 in the earlier semi-final, was beaten by Djokovic in straight sets in front of his home supporters.
Murray, meanwhile, was aiming to gain revenge over the Serb for his defeat to him in the final of the Australian Open in January but despite a painful defeat he can take heart from pushing the second seed so close in his final match before the French Open, which starts on Monday week.
Given his awesome run of form it was hardly surprising that Djokovic began at breakneck speed, breaking the Murray serve at the first opportunity when the Scot netted while attempting to save a third break point.
To his credit, the world No. 4 gutsily broke back immediately, converted his third break point of game three when Djokovic netted.
But, from there, he had no answer to some virtually flawless tennis from his opponent as the world No. 2 rapidly reeled off the next four games to take the first set.
Once again Murray demonstrated admirable fighting spirit and, after the first five games went with serve, the Dunblane-born star broke courtesy of a string of uncharacteristic unforced errors from his opponent.
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