Andy Murray might have lost yet another final to Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open on Sunday, but he still took plenty of positives from his showing at the tournament.
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Djokovic was strong in the first set and third set as he controlled the match by constantly varying his game and never allowing Murray to settle into any sort of rhythm.
For the second year running he is in the Madrid Open final.
“I think I’m definitely moving better”. “I used the forehand pretty good, I was able to push him back behind the baseline”. It’s a big step for me from where I was four or five weeks ago. Djokovic prevailed 6-3 6-4 on Friday to improve to a 7-0 head-to-head record against the Canadian star, setting up a semi-final showdown with Kei Nishikori on the clay courts in the Spanish capital.
“I spoke to a number of coaches who work with younger players to develop technique, just to understand different grips, different positions to stand on the court as well, the ideal spot to make contact with the serve”, Murray said.
Djokovic dominated the first set but it was even from then until the end, with both players faltering on decisive moments.
Roger Federer, who pulled out of this Masters event with a back injury, still overtakes Murray in the rankings with only this week’s Italian Open to be played before Roland Garros.
“This trophy means a lot – it’s a great lead-up to Rome [where he will aim to retain the Internazionali d’Italia] and of course the French Open, which I want to approach in the best possible shape. Djokovic’s response, though, was characteristically brilliant, and after surviving a bout of jitters and a 14-minute final game, he deservedly clinched his record 29th Masters series title”.
“Not loads of players have won against Rafa on clay throughout his career”, Murray said afterward. He was broken again but as the Serb went to serve for the match, Murray threw everything but the kitchen sink at him.
“I think in the first set he played better than me”.
Following the 7-5, 6-4 defeat to Murray in the Madrid Open semifinals on Saturday, Nadal said he was on the right path heading into the French Open, which starts in nine days.
Djokovic had won all of the three previous meetings between the two on the dirt and he raced out of the blocks again as he broke Murray in his first service game and then swiftly moved into a 4-1 advantage.
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Every time Nadal started to build momentum, Murray shut him down and silenced the crowd with huge service holds and break-point saves to keep his nose in front. “It was a better win for me this year than last year, ” Murray said.
