Andy Murray insists he is edging closer to ending the Novak Djokovic curse despite falling to a seventh consecutive defeat against the Serb in the Miami Open final.
The match started well for Murray but Djokovic showed the ruthless streak that makes him world number one as he won 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-0.
Murray came out swinging with a break early in the first but Djokovic showed composure to hit back straight away.
There was another break for Murray as he picked up eight straight points to go 4-3 ahead but once again Djokovic was back in the set as the Scot fired a woeful backhand wide of its mark.
That brought about a tiebreak and Djokovic, as he has done so many times before, came through with relative ease.
The second set stayed on serve and Murray looked like he had found some rhythm as a 132mph ace moved him 4-3 ahead.
Both players were playing scintillating tennis and Murray found himself with a golden opportunity as a beautiful shot put him 0-40 ahead at 5-4 and he only needed one of his break points to take the set.
But it all went wrong in the third as Djokovic broke twice and never looked back to take the victory.
“It’s been a good start to the season for me and big progress from where I was last year and I’m not quite there with Novak yet but I feel like I’m getting a little closer,” said Murray.
“I just need to keep working hard and it will come.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make more of a fight of it in the third, my legs were tired and I couldn’t quite push hard enough.
“Miami is a very special place for me, I spend three or four months here every year and do all my training in the off-season.
“I always enjoy coming back but I’ll be back next year to try again.”
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