Murray to face Djokovic in Miami final

Andy Murray will face Novak Djokovic in Miami on Sunday

After Murray’s emphatic victory over Verdasco in the quarter finals, coming fast out of the blocks, not allowing the tricky Spanish player to settle, the Scot would of wanted the same start against old foe Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro.

Del Potro had overcome a poor Rafa Nadal the night before. He ran out 7-6 winner in the third, in a match enjoyed by the crowd, but not by the players. Nadal had a woeful game and Del Potro missed out on several chances to secure the victory at earlier points in the third set.

The excursions of the previous night had clearly had an effect on the Argentinian as he was blown away by Murray’s water-tight game in the first set. The world number four dragged the awkward Del Potro all over the court, mixing up his shots keeping the 6 ft 5′ on his toes.

Murray’s backhand was flawless throughout. Now one of the best shots in men’s tennis, time and time again, it got him out of trouble. His energy levels were simply awesome. Turning defence into attack. When Murray seemed well and truly out of a point, he would pull out a miraculous shot, and somehow finish winning the point to the disbelief of the opponent.

Murray claimed the first set 6-1. However he took his foot of the gas in the second, with Del Potro adjusting to Murray’s game. The Argentinian started to read Murray’s tactics and with a hefty Argentine presence in the crowd he was spurred on claiming the second set 7-5.

Yet Murray has matured in the last year and when it really matters, he has the ability to compose himself and win the big points. Despite Del Potro taking longer then allowed between points, a cute tactic to frustrate the Scot, Murray refused to allow this to infuriate him and affect his game.

There is history between these two players. At the Rome masters in 2008, insults were swapped between the pair. The umpire that night had to step in between the two after Del Potro made a remark about Murray’s mother.

Last night Del Potro called for the trainer late in the third set, during his service game with Murray having a crucial break point. The Murray of old would have blown his fuse and possibly gone on to lose the game. But the new mature Murray steadied himself and after the medical time out, went on to claim the game.

Murray ran out 6-2 winner in the third to set up a mouth watering clash with Novak Djokovic. A battle for the world number three ranking. Had Djokovic failed to make the final and Murray won the tournament, Andy Murray would have crept up on the Serbian and overtaken him in the rankings.