The 11-time grand-slam champion responded like he has done on so many occasions over the years, sealing an eighth consecutive victory over the world number six to move one win away from claiming his sixth title of the year.
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Just seven days after his latest defeat to the Serb in the final of the Madrid Masters, Murray celebrated his 29th birthday in the best possible fashion by winning only the second clay-court Masters Series title of his career.
“When you play against the best players in the world you go in knowing you have to play great tennis to win”.
Murray, who 12 months ago, won the title against local hero, Nadal, was taken apart in the opening set by Djokovic who won in Spain in 2011. “But there were still some tough moments”.
“I think I was patient but still hitting the ball with a good weight on it and not allowing him to dictate too much”.
“It hurt for a while, and though the pain faded, it returned toward the end of the match”, Djokovic said.
On Andy Murray’s chances in Paris…
Indeed, Murray looked in a hurry to start his birthday celebrations, thumping a sublime backhand victor at 30-30 which prompted applause from Djokovic before firing down an ace to lead 5-2.
The two-time Grand Slam champion dominated proceedings from start to finish and ensured he will compete in his first-ever Rome Masters final with a 6-2, 6-1 win in a rain-affected match that only lasted a minute shy of an hour.
There was no upset in the women’s singles final, however, as the top-seeded Serena Williams pulled off a 7-6 6-3 conquest of Madison Keys in an all-America final.
“The first set was flawless from (Nishikori’s) side, and in the third set he had a couple of break points”, Djokovic said.
“Regardless of who I play in the final, I know I will be pushed hard”.
His deserved 6-3 6-3 victory in the final of the Rome Masters was only his second over the World No.1 in their 14 meetings since the 2013 Wimbledon final.
Murray won his first clay-court titles previous year and has since accrued a 29-3 record on what used to be his weakest surface.
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Serena. Commenting on the final, said, “It will be wonderful that both the American players will be playing in the final on this clay-court”. His aggressive game and range of strokes rattled last year’s French Open finalist and his advancement on clay has been a remarkable feature of the past two years.
