Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Murray in straight sets in Shanghai
Saturday 17 October 2015 17:28, UK
A below-par Andy Murray was demolished by Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-3 in the Shanghai Rolex Masters semi-finals on Saturday.
The British No 1 endured a rough, error-laden experience in China and his long-time rival Djokovic was in a typically unforgiving mood, seemingly breaking at will and mastering Murray throughout.
Djokovic will now play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Shanghai final on Sunday, which is live on Sky Sports 3 HD at 9.30am.
Djokovic, such is his brilliance on the court, did not require the assistance that Murray gave him to waltz towards the first set but gladly accepted it. In just 25 minutes, Murray was broken three times in a row, hit four double-faults and 17 unforced errors.
Murray was forced to save two break points in the very first game but, rather than grow into the set, the pressure became more intense. Next time he had the ball in hand, he failed to win a point and poorly missed a backhand.
As Djokovic surged to 4-1 up the first set seemed like a foregone conclusion but the manner of his third break on the bounce was worrying for the Brit. He meekly seemed to find Djokovic's forehand with any assertive shot of his own and folded before the half-hour mark.
There appeared to be a light at the end of the tunnel, when in the first game of the second set, Murray broke as Djokovic suddenly lacked vigour on his serve.
But it was a false dawn - as if agitated by his own imperfection, Djokovic roared back with an immediate break that included a sensational point. A rally took the crowd on an emotional rollercoaster but, somewhat inevitably, fell in favour of the Serb.
The double-faults returned to haunt Murray who gave up his serve again and found himself 4-1 down. Holding his serve was an arduous task and he needed to save match point once before Djokovic coolly served himself into the final.
Murray finished with six double-faults, 17 unforced errors and just nine winners.
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