Djokovic through to semis after intense Murray battle

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory

Novak Djokovic has progressed to his eigth consecutive US Open semi-final after seeing off Andy Murray in four sets. The match could have gone either way as the physical battle between the two seemed relentless. But it was Andy Murray who felt the most of the long rallies, suffering a back spasm into the fourth set. By then it was all too late for the Brit who could barely run around the court. Djokovic came out on top, winning the match 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (1-7), 6-2, 6-4.

The first set went into the tie-break after both players broke serve twice in the set. It was a one-sided story in the tie-break with Djokovic demolishing Murray 7-1. Andy Murray hit two big serves to take the set into the tie-break but could not reproduce the serves as he lost every single point when he was serving. 

Djokovic seemed to be running away with the match after getting an early break in the second set. But you can never write off the eighth seed. Murray fought his way back, got broken again but managed break Djokovic again to take the set into another tie-break. And this time, it was the turn of the Brit to dominate proceedings. Murray won the set with the same scoreline that Djokovic did, 7-1, to level the match at one set a piece. 

The momentum was with Murray going into the third set, but it was Djokovic who turned the tables. Two breaks in the set, gave the Serb a 6-2 win and just one set away from the final four.

Murray was visibly slow in the fourth set, suffering from back spasms. However, he chose to carry on without consulting the on-court doctor. Murray’s game plan to win his service games while ease though Djokovic’s. The plan was seem to be working with the scores level at 4-4. Djokovic kept his serve with ease to go one game closer to winning the match. Murray was unable to keep his serve this time, dropping the set and the match to the world number 1. 

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