The world number one was raging for perfection and sharply barked at his box when conceding the first game of the second set.
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Serving for the match, Djokovic clenched his fist and yelled when Murray’s return landed out to give him match point. In a 15-point fifth game, Murray managed to save three break points, but it was not enough to deny Djokovic the opening set, which lasted 43 minutes.
Andy Murray (Britain) beat 8-David Ferrer (Spain) 6-4 6-3 moving to a showdown with Djokovic.
Yet in the second set, Murray began to make a few headway.
Murray has won just once against Djokovic in their seven matches this year and admitted he needs to improve his record against the Serb and world No. 2 Roger Federer if he is to enjoy more individual success next year. He has only dropped one set since the start of September. Sending his serve slightly deeper into the court, he quickly jumped out to a 40-15 lead and ended up holding his serve. In the Match Tie-break we came out a little more like ourselves and with more concentration on the important points.
Djokovic broke in the third game of the second but the British no. 1 would provide sterner resistance, clawing his way back into the contest to level things up at 2-2.
In a frantic day of action, Berdych left the indoor arena to warm applause but with regrets, missing a set point at 6-5 on Djokovic’s serve – his only break point of the first set. Suddenly, momentum seemed to shift, with the Scot finding his range in the return game as well. He won two of his four service games at love, while breaking serve in two of Murray’s four service games.
The Serbian not lost since his Cincinnati Open defeat in August, a run of 22 matches. Obviously, it’s harder playing against the best player than someone that’s ranked No 8 in the world. It will take a truly monumental effort from the likes of Murray to keep the Serb from adding another title to his resume in London.
Enjoying one of the most successful years in tennis history, Djokovic had already become the first player to reach 14 consecutive Tour finals in a calendar year and only Ivan Lendl has a better record with 18 finals over two calendar years.
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“I look forward to it, especially because of the fact that I have had the season that I have had, and the way that I’m feeling confidently”. He’s done it all year, and he did it again today.
