Tuesday 7 April 2015 18:11, UK
Andy Murray is still searching for the formula to beat Novak Djokovic, but what else did we learn in Miami?
Murray moves nearer
The Scot was denied silverware once again by Novak Djokovic after reaching Sunday’s final, but is edging ever closer to a showpiece victory over the world’s No 1 player.
In February, Murray was beaten by the Serb in the Australian Open final, and this latest defeat followed a similar pattern, with the British No 1 failing to register a game in the last set.
But he extended Djokovic in a closely-fought opening set and levelled the match in ruthless fashion in the next set after seizing another break.
In sweltering conditions, Murray was overwhelmed as Djokovic somehow found another gear, and seemed to admit that he could not match the Serb’s bottomless stamina.
Speaking after the match, he said: "I'm not quite there with Novak, but I feel like I'm getting closer.
"He serves well, he runs well, he moves exceptionally well. Physically he's in great shape; he hits the ball well off both sides.
"So, yeah, he does most things on the tennis court well. That's why he's the No 1 player in the world."
But Murray can take plenty of positives from another extended run in the tournament, before turning attention to his wedding at the weekend.
The two-time Miami title winner overcame exciting Austrian Dominic Thiem with a battling display and then produced another stylish semi-final win over Tomas Berdych.
Djokovic still the man
The top-ranked player in the sport lived up to his billing, collecting yet another title to become the first man to complete an Indian Wells-Miami double on three occasions.
At times in the tournament the 27-year-old appeared to be battling his emotions, smashing a racquet in his win over Alexandr Dolgopolov and being lectured by the umpire after a heated rant in the final.
But these were only fleeting signs of vulnerability as Djokovic overcame his rivals and the searing heat once again.
Speaking after the Murray victory, Djokovic refused to target a clean sweep of major titles, although this feat is looking increasingly feasible.
Roland Garros is a stronghold for ruling champion Rafael Nadal, but his recent struggles mean that Djokovic will be favoured to add another crown on the clay courts.
"I could not ask for a better start to the season, winning three big titles," he said. "Hopefully I'm able to use this for the clay court coming up. That's extremely important for me leading up to French Open.
"I don't want to predict anything nor put some additional unnecessary pressure on myself but I hope this is just the beginning."
In the chasing pack, Murray continues to test Djokovic's resolve, while Roger Federer, absent in Miami, remains the biggest threat to his position at the top of the pile.
Nervy Nadal
A shock third-round loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco sent Nadal down to No 5 in the rankings, his lowest position in two years, and concerns remain about the future of the sport’s matador.
Nadal appears far from his explosive best after enforced absences with fitness problems and could not rise to the challenge when Verdasco seized a crucial break in the third set.
His thumping forehand, a potent weapon over the years, lacked accuracy at a time when Nadal typically bludgeons his opponents into submission.
But his problems appear mental as well as physical, with the 28-year-old admitting that he lost his composure on court.
"I need to fix again the nerves, the self-control on court. It's not a tough issue to fix. I'm going to keep trying," he said.
Thankfully for him, Nadal can look forward to the clay-court tournaments, a surface where he can surely rebuild his fragile confidence.
But it remains to be seen whether he can cling onto his French Open crown as Djokovic attempts to end his dominance in Paris.
Time for Thiem
The exciting Austrian youngster further enhanced his reputation by reaching the first ATP quarter-final of his career, eventually suffering a battling three-set defeat against Murray.
Nicknamed 'Dominator', Thiem did not seem daunted by the task ahead of him, and had the final word in a string of thrilling rallies while taking the opening set.
He then displayed his battling spirit by breaking back in the second set, forcing Murray to up his game even further to secure victory.
The Scot handed out a harsh lesson in the third set, breaking Thiem two more times on the way to victory, but the 21-year-old had held his own up to that point.
Possessing a powerful forehand, a strong serve and nifty hands, he holds all the neccessary attributes for a rising player.
Starting with a ranking outside the top 300 in 2013, he has already surged into the top 50 and should further improve on this position in the coming weeks.
Best of the rest
We are still waiting for a fresh face to contend for silverware after Djokovic set up another showpiece with Murray.
World No 4 Kei Nishikori failed to mount a genuine challenge as he suffered a quarter-final defeat to John Isner, while the local favourite also ended the hopes of two other touted prospects.
Grigor Dimitrov was swept aside by the powerful Isner in the third round and the American then ruined Milos Raonic's run in the next stage.
Isner, beaten by Andy Murray in a recent Davis Cup tie, was skilfully defused by Djokovic in the semi-finals.
World No 7 David Ferrer had fallen to Djokovic in the quarter-finals and has not beaten the Serb since 2011.
