Novak Djokovic tops Andy Murray to capture the crystalware – Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012
Second seed Novak Djokovic got the better of the defending champion, Andy Murray from Great Britain, in a three-set thriller at the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 on Sunday. He notched up a 5-7, 7-6(11), 6-3 victory against the Olympic champion to capture his
fifth year-to-date title at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Masters 1000 event held in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
The Serbian number one showed flawless performance to outmuscle the Murray in this repeat of the US Open final showdown. Battling each other for the 16th time, Djokovic not only avenged his loss at the Flushing Meadows but also extended lead in
the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series by 9-7 against the Dunblane native.
Murray, who ended 76 years Grand Slam title drought of Britain by conquering the US Open, made a sloppy entry at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. He suffered the first blow by losing his opening game and fell at 0-2. The Brit made a fitting reply afterwards
and reeled off the following three games with two breaks of serve. Despite levelling the scores in the very next game, he broke his rival’s serve again and took a 4-3 lead. Murray was underplayed again in the eighth game but unveiled his class in the second
last game, eventually sealing the opener by winning seven games to five.
Ranked third in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Murray continued hitting exquisite forehands from his arsenal of skills in the following set. He got the desiderated break in the seventh game and cruised to a 5-3 lead.
The Scot was serving for the championship when Djokovic found his rhythm and snatched his break back, eventually levelling the scores in the 10th game. The set went to a tie-breaker where the Serbian ace brushed off four championship points and
ultimately pulled out the equaliser with a 7-6(11) win.
The match was poised at a knife edge but the 25-year-old Serb maintained consistency in his game. After the Scot held his game in the fifth game, Djokovic reeled off last four games in a row and recorded a 6-3 success.
With this victory, Djokovic not only earned 1000 South African Airways ATP ranking points but also bagged his 33rd career title.
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