Brave Andy Murray fights back but loses a five-set epic with Novak Djokovic

06/06/2015

| French Open

Something had to give when Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic stepped out onto Philippe Chatrier for their French Open semi-final at Roland Garros.

Both men were unbeaten on clay this year with Murray winning his first titles on the surface in Munich and Madrid.

As it turned out, it was the weather that gave way first rather than anyone’s perfect record. With the scores level at 3-3 in the fourth set, the match was suspended overnight due to a heavy storm.

Andy MurrayMurray has produced some of his best ever tennis in Paris this year but his quest to reach a first final at the tournament has been ended by the in-form Serbian in five sets.

The British No.1 gave everything, but Djokovic was at his relentless best to win 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1 as he bids to win his first French Open and complete the set of all four Grand Slams.

In a repeat of this year’s Australian Open final the world No.1, who hadn’t lost a set at Roland Garros in 2015, got the decisive break when leading 4-3 in the opener before serving it out in the next game.

A break for a 3-2 lead in the second set was followed by a further break when a Murray smash went long at set point down. Only one man has ever beaten Djokovic from two sets to love down but the Scot was up for the challenge.  

He had to save break points early in the third but then went on to produce some spectacular tennis towards the end as he broke Djokovic for the first time at 5-5 with the help of a stunning forehand pass before holding his serve to 0.

Game on. And in a pulsating atmosphere, from 0-40 down on his serve, Murray produced nine straight of the best points you are ever likely to see under pressure to recover, hold, and then break Djokovic.

Andy MurrayDespite Djokovic breaking straight back, when play resumed on Saturday lunchtime Murray continued where he left off and after getting the better of some epic long rallies, broke again before taking the match into a fifth-set.

Some breathless play ensued and Djokovic proved why he is the world No.1 who has only lost two matches this year, as when his back was against the wall, he raised his game to extraordinary levels.

Two breaks of serve and some booming forehands was enough to run away with the set 6-1 and take his place in the final against Stan Wawrinka.

Their first clash at the second Grand Slam of the year was certainly one to remember, with Djokovic now going on to contest his third final and 16th in the sport's big four Majors.

As for Murray, he will now turn his attention to the grass courts and head to the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club looking for his fourth title. 

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