Djokovic wins through to face Murray In US Open final

Sunday 9 September 2012

Andy Murray will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open tomorrow after the defending champion defeated David Ferrer in their delayed semi-final in New York.

Fourth seed Ferrer had led 5-2 when play was suspended yesterday but, although he took the first set, Djokovic quickly hit back and wrapped up a 2-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory after two hours and 32 minutes.

It will be the second grand slam final meeting between Murray and Djokovic after the Serb's crushing win at the Australian Open last year at the start of a sensational season that saw him pick up three slam titles.He successfully defended his title in Melbourne this year, beating Murray and Rafael Nadal back-to-back in brutal five-setters, but Murray got some revenge with victory in the Olympic semi-final before going on to win the gold medal.Djokovic will play in his third consecutive US Open final and his seventh final out of the last nine grand slams.He said: "It's a huge relief to get through this match. David's a great competitor, he's one of the fittest guys on tour and he never gives up."We were all praying for less wind today. He handled the wind much better than I did but I came in today as a different player and I'm just really happy to get to another grand slam final."On facing Murray, the 25-year-old added: "I don't think there is any clear favourite. He's looking for his first title, I'm sure he's going to be very motivated. I hope we can come up with the best tennis for this crowd."Djokovic had looked completely out of sorts in the wind yesterday, complaining to umpire Carlos Bernardes that the match should be postponed.He was lucky to get his wish, with organisers worried about the threat of a tornado that did not materialise, and had they carried on the result may well have been different.But under blue skies and with only a little breeze, the defending champion was back to the form that has made him unbeaten in grand slams on hard courts for two years.Ferrer served out the first set, the only set Djokovic has lost at the tournament so far this year, but the Serb promptly reeled off the next five games.Ferrer finally held to avoid a love set but, although he was trading well with Djokovic in long rallies, the second seed always seemed to have one more shot.Djokovic broke early in the third set as well but Ferrer showed his tenacity to hit back. The Spaniard was broken again in the seventh game, though, and that proved to be the crucial moment.Djokovic wrapped up the set and then all but sealed victory by winning the first four games of the fourth. Ferrer dug in to ensure at least the scoreline would be respectable but he was well beaten.Murray has certainly had the better of the schedule and a day's rest, but there is no doubt, whatever he says, that Djokovic will go into the final as the man to beat.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Djokovic wins through to face Murray In US Open final

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED