Andy Murray was unable to end his losing run against Novak Djokovic as the world No 1 walked off with a second successive Miami Open tennis title after a fierce tussle yesterday.
The Scot had lost his last six matches against the Serb and it looked to be going against him again when he dropped the opening set at Crandon Park on a tie-break.
Third seed Murray battled back valiantly to snatch the second set and take the match into a decider, only for his game to desert him as Djokovic claimed a 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-0 victory after almost three hours on court.
It was a second defeat to Djokovic in as many weeks for Murray, who was also beaten by the Australian Open champion in straight sets in Indian Wells.
However, although he admitted tiredness got the better of him on this occasion, the Scot is confident he is catching up on his rival.
Murray, who was looking to wrestle back the title he won in 2013, said in the post-match presentation: “It’s been a good start to the year for me and I’ve made progress from where I was at this stage last year.
“I’m not quite there with Novak yet but I feel like I’m getting a little bit closer. I just need to keep working hard and hopefully that will come.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make more of a fight of it in the third set. I was trying but my legs were tired and I couldn’t quite finish hard enough.
“But Miami is a very special place for me, I always enjoy coming back so I’m sorry I couldn’t quite get the job done in the final but I’ll be back next year and try one more time.”
Djokovic also spoke of the enjoyment he got from playing in Miami after claiming his fifth title at the venue, saying: “This is truly one of the better tournaments on the tour that we have.
“The best players in the world are participating in this event and it’s truly a very special place for tennis.
“Hopefully we’re going to have many more great years to come.”
Meanwhile, Serena Williams claimed her eighth Miami Open title in 14 years after ruthlessly brushing aside the challenge of 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro in Saturday’s women’s final.
The world No 1 won the final 10 games in a 6-2 6-0 demolition of her Spanish opponent to claim her third straight title at an event she has dominated since winning her first crown back in 2002.
Williams, who dedicated the title to her absent father, paid tribute to Suarez Navarro after the win.
She said at the post-match presentation: “Congratulations to Carla, she had a fabulous two weeks and this is just the beginning; I’m really proud of you and we get along so it’s always good to see you do really well.”