Andy Murray could meet Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati Masters final
... what Murray will need to do should they meet again
Wednesday 19 August 2015 18:48, UK
Andy Murray will hope to continue the same form he showed in Montreal when he begins his assault on the Cincinnati Masters this week - but the question is can he beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic for the second time in the space of a week, should they meet in Sunday's final?
Nobody can argue that the new world No 2 is playing some of the best, most attacking tennis, of his career as he looks to win the Cincy title for the third time.
Murray snapped his eight-match, 25-month losing streak with a draining 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory in the final of the Montreal Masters. He had not beaten the world No 1 since the 2013 Wimbledon final.
So his success against Djokovic, who had won 12 consecutive Masters Series finals since he fell to Roger Federer in Cincinnati in 2012, was all the more remarkable.
We pick out five things Murray did so tactically well and not so well on Sunday and what he will have to do again should they collide this weekend.
First serve points win percentage
Murray's fluidity of first serves was a mighty bonus against a player in Djokovic who retrieves pretty much everything coming his way and at any angle, so seven aces along with 60% of first serve points in during an intensely fierce final was a major positive.
What was equally as impressive was the British No 1's win percentage on first serves - a whopping 69% - compared to 65% from Djokovic. Murray delivered time and time again during yet another classic encounter.
He won 63% of his first serve points in the first set, which he claimed 6-4, and equalled Djokovic with a huge 79% of points won in a second set which he lost by the same score line.
Without doubt, Murray has become one of the most lethal servers in the game. His fastest serve of the game was an impressive 185km/h - (115mph) and hit his spots.
Murray dominated the early stages and took a 4-1 lead. He mixed up his angles and deliveries with power, pace and accuracy, pushing Djokovic back on his heels as illustrated in the graphic below.
But the world No 1 broke back and levelled by making fewer unforced errors and stepped up the court in attempt to tame the aggressor.
Murray targeted the Serb on the backhand side, served and volleyed when required and struck the ball deep and accurately time and time again. He will have to apply these ultra-aggressive tactics used in the early stages of the contest for a longer period of time next time they meet.
Second serve points won and unforced error count
Murray's second serve has always been of great concern and although Djokovic showed greater variation on both the ad and deuce court in the lead up to the final, as illustrated in the graphic above - 49-45% overall - Murray made it count when it mattered most with excellent use of the kick serve out wide.
He won the first set 6-4 and battered the Serb with his second serve win percentage - 53-44%.
That dropped to a mere 36% in the next as he relied heavily on his first serve win percentage, but that ultimately cost him the set.
One thing which will be of even greater concern was his average second serve speed which was well below the top seeds on the night - 143km/h (89mph) compared to 152km/h (94mph). It's more of a worry after Djokovic said pain in his right elbow limited his ability to serve.
The two-time Grand Slam champion came into the match with that losing streak playing on his mind, but he knew he had to push his great rival to great depths if he wanted to come out on top.
Like two boxers, they pummelled each other for three hours in intense hot, muggy conditions with courtside temperatures reaching 40C and Murray knew he had to go for pretty much everything meaning a higher unforced error count - 43-37 overall.
15 in the first set, 11 in the second and 17 in the final set, but his persistence in not being afraid to go for his shots paid dividends in the end.
Winners
This is showcased in the overall winners count - 39-33 in favour of Murray. He was strong on his forehand and backhand sides, finding extreme short angles and hit the ball harder than he had ever done against Djokovic, who was on the defensive for the majority of the time. He smacked 14 forehand winners and an impressive 13 on his backhand side.
In the first set, Murray fired 11 winners compared to 10 from the multiple major winner. He cracked 12 winners to 11 in the next and stepped it up in the last by hammering down 16 winners in the decider to come away with victory.
Should they go the distance again, Murray won't be frightened of going for the lines.
Break points won
One of Murray's weaknesses has been his lack of mental strength on his own serve when it comes to the big points. But what he did so well in Montreal was to shut the door when Djokovic was offered a sniff of a break.
The British No 1 won four out of 19 break points, but what really impressed was the way he held his own, with the Serb only able to take three out of 14 break points.
Murray also created openings regularly and won big points against a gutsy opponent who had saved two match points in an earlier match against Ernests Gulbis to win in three.
There were moments when it looked as though Murray would collapse but he showed phenomenal mental strength and technical ability to come through.
He served at 3-1 in the third, already up a break. A ferocious baseline battle went to deuce 10 times and Murray fought off six break points to take the game which latest 18 minutes. Djokovic had two more break points in the final game, but Murray pounded two service winners.
Points won under five shots
Murray is all too aware that when he goes toe-to-toe with the world's best player, he usually comes out second best. We're so used to seeing these two go at it hammer and tongs in epic rallies - but not in Montreal.
The Scot went into the clash knowing he had to keep points as short as possible if he was to end his barren run against Djokovic.
He won 64 to 56 points in under five shots and 41-40 in points between five and nine shots while the world No 1 was top dog in point over nine shots - 16 to 11.
Murray also ran more - 2747 metres (1.7miles) which was a testament to his fitness under coach Matt Little, who regularly puts him through his paces. Djokovic ran 2686 metres (1.67 miles).
Who do you think will come out on top should they meet again on Sunday? Why not send us a comment in the box below or Tweet us @SkySportsTennis.
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