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28 March 2024

US Open Men's Singles quarterfinals: Djokovic downs Murray to enter semfinals

Novak Djokovic (SRB) reacts after defeating Sam Querrey (USA) on day six of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (AFP/ Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

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By Sports Correspondent & Agencies
World number one Novak Djokovic wore down his old foe Andy Murray in a typically gruelling encounter under the lights at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open.
 
In a repeat of the 2012 final, which Murray won, the pair combined for some stunning long rallies before Djokovic pulled away for a 7-6 (1) 6-7 6-2 6-4 victory to set up a semi-final against Kei Nishikori of Japan.
 
Wimbledon champion Djokovic took the first set on the tiebreak, 7-1 and led 3-1 in the second set only for Murray, cracking his forehand brilliantly, to hit back and take the second-set tiebreak by the same score.
 
But Djokovic always looked that little bit fresher and after racing through the third set, one break in the 10th game of the fourth set gave him a place in the last four.

FOURTH SET: DJOKOVIC 6 MURRAY 4

It's all over for Andy Murray as Djokovic seals the game and the match claiming the third set 6-4.

Both Djokovic and Murray holding on to their serves. Murray can't afford to have too many mistakes. Djokovic 3 Murray 2

No points lost as Djokovic keeps his serve quickly. Djokovic 2 Murray 1

Murray seems to be struggling with fitness. It's showing in his game. From 40-15, Djokovic takes it to deuce but Murray holds on to his serve. Djokovic 1 Murray 1

Djokovic is gaining the upperhand while Murray seems to be not very comfortable with his right shoulder. But the Brit still manages to earn a breakpoint early in the fourth set but fails to latch on to it. Djokovic 1 Murray 0

THIRD SET: DJOKOVIC 6 MURRAY 2

BREAK!
Djokovic finishes off the set in style breaking Murray for the second time as he wins the third set to lead 2-1. Djokovic 6 Murray 2.

Murray trying hard to earn the break back but Djokovic is winning his points at the right time to hold on to his serve. Djokovic 5 Murray 2.

No time wasted there as Murray wins it comfortably losing just one point. Djokovic 4 Murray 2.

Djokovic keeps his cool to serve well to go quickly to 40-30 before Murray pushes it to deuce and also grab a breakpoint. But Djokovic does not allow it go out of his hands. Djokovic 4 Murray 1.

BREAK!
Though Murray is unleashing some unbelievable forehand shots, his unforced errors give Djokovic a double breakpoint advantage. The Serb wins the first one to force a break. Djokovic 3 Murray 1.

Good serves coming from Djokovic as he too does not waste much time in holding on to his serve. Djokovic 2 Murray 1.

Murray is in supreme form at the moment. He is getting everythign right on the court with his forehand shots being the most impressive. Wins four straight points to win his serve.  Djokovic 1 Murray 1.

Djokovic regains his composure to begin well in the third set. Holds his serve easily. Djokovic 1 Murray 0.

SECOND SET: MURRAY 7 (7) DJOKOVIC 6 (1)
 
Brilliant work from Murray as he steps up his performance to dominate the tiebreak. Just drops a point to wrap it and win the second set. It's 1-all with the game already crossing two hours. Murray 7 Djokovic 6

Murray seems to be dominating as Djokovic is succumbing to the pressure generated by the Brit. Murray earns crucial breakpoints but the Serb manages to save it and eventually wins his game. Murray 6 Djokovic 6  

Murray serving well and looks to be in a comfort zone. Djokovic not happy with a decision but that did not matter as the Brit seals the game easily. Murray 6 Djokovic 5.  

No problem there for Djokovic as he makes a neat finish to retain his serve. This again looks in all probable ways to be heading towards a tiebreak. Murray 5 Djokovic 5.
 
This time Murray manages to hold on to his serve but not before Djokovic had given him some anxious moments. Murray 5 Djokovic 4  

BREAK!
It's a game of breaks as Murray keeps up the pressure breaking Djokovic's serve again. Some wonderful baseline shots from the Brit as he levels with the Serb. Murray 4 Djokovic 4  

BREAK!
Djokovic replies with equal grit as he forces a break after a doublebreak point advantage to keep the momentum going for him. Murray 3 Djokovic 4  

BREAK!
A great fightback from Murray as he gains a triple breakpoint advantage. Djokovic manages to wipe one out of it before the Brit takes the break. Murray 3 Djokovic 3 

Murray holds his serve but Djokovic has the advantage. Murray 2 Djokovic 3

It's all going great for Djokovic as he holds on to his serve without any problems. Murray 1 Djokovic 3 

BREAK!
 An ace from Murray but unforced errors gives Djokovic a 15-30 advantage and then 15-40 to force a double breakpoint. Murray hits one straight to the net to give Djokovic the lead. Murray 1 Djokovic 2 

Not much of a problem for Djokovic as well as he does not drop a single point to win his game. Murray 1 Djokovic 1 

This would be a crucial set for Murray as he serves. Puts the first set mistakes behind to seal the first game easily. Murray 1 Djokovic 0

FIRST SET: DJOKOVIC 7 (7) MURRAY 6 (1)
 
Tiebreak was a cake walk for Djokovic as he loses just a single point to wrap the game and the first set. Djokovic 7 Murray 6Murray holds on to his serve comfortably with an impressive ace to wrap it up. Djokovic 6 Murray 6.  

No much problems there for Djokovic either as he keeps his serve. It's promising to be a long battle for sure. Djokovic 6 Murray 5.  

It's all easy for Murray as he continues to serve well. Just drops a point to retain his serve. Djokovic 5 Murray 5.  

Murray trying to get that crucial break at this juncture earning himself a break point. The Serb does not give away easily taking it to deuce with a powerful serve. The Brit is playing some brilliant baseline shots but Djokovic relies on his serve to hold his game. Djokovic 5 Murray 4.  

Murray dominates with some impressive serves and close the net shots to hold on to his serve quite easily. Djokovic 4 Murray 4.

BREAK!
Murray is fighting hard to get that break to level scores. He makes it 30-all and then takes it to deuce. An unforced error from Djokovic gives the Brit a breakpoint which he eventually wins. Djokovic 4 Murray 3.

Djokovic going strong at the moment taking a 0-30 advantage before Murray serves well including an ace to make it 30-all. Continues to serve well to wrap the game. Djokovic 4 Murray 2.

It's a brilliant battle at the Arthur Ashe stadium as Murray gains a breakpoint quickly but Djokovic manages to erase it. Two successive points and the Serb holds serve. 
Djokovic 4 Murray 1.

 
BREAK!
Murray gets his serves going but Djokovic is determined not to give it in easily as he runs to a double breakpoint advantage. A double fault also adding to the misery. The Serb takes the lead breaking Murray immediately. Djokovic 3 Murray 1.

That's another break point for Murray as he plays some wonderful baseline winners, both backhand and forehand shots. Djokovic manages to save it before two good points helps him hold serve. Djokovic 2 Murray 1.

BREAK!
Djokovic makes a good fightback to challenge Murray as the Serb takes the game to deuce. Looks like Murray has some issues with his shoulders while serving as he double faults. A long fight and Djokovic replies in style also taking an early break. Djokovic 1 Murray 1.

BREAK!
Andy Murray opens with a bang to claim a break in the very first game of the match. A brilliant start from the Brit. Djokovic 0 Murray 1.

So here we are just minutes away from the start of the brilliant quarterfinal. Earlier, Kei Nishikori upset Stan Wawrinka in a five set thriller 3-6 5-7 7-6(7) 6-7(5) 6-4 to enter the semifinals. 

PREVIEW

Two of the top stars are meeting a little too early but it just only adds to the excitement. 
 
It promises to be a cracker of a contest as World Number 1 Novak Djokovic will face off with Andy Murray in the quarterfinals of the US Open.
 
Djokovic easily remains to be the favourite with many already predicting him to meet Roger Federer in the final.
 
The stats with Djokovic leading 12-8 in their previous meetings also supports the cause.
 
But given the way the Brit has given him tough time especially in the Grand Slams leading 5-4 it can be anybody's game.
 
Djokovic has not dropped a set so far in his run up to the last eight while Murray has given away two sets to reach the quarters.
 
After defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his previous match in straight sets, Murray certainly is keen to pick up his second US Open while Djokovic can also make it two if he stakes claim to the title.