Djokovic thrilled after claiming fifth Miami crown

Sacha Pisani

Djokovic thrilled after claiming fifth Miami crown image

Novak Djokovic was understandably thrilled after he made history following his Miami Open triumph on Sunday.

It was an all too familiar story in Miami as Djokovic dispatched of rival Andy Murray for 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-0 victory in warm conditions.

The Serb is the first player to complete an Indian Wells-Miami Open double on three occasions as a result of his fifth title in Key Biscayne, while he has not lost to Murray since the 2013 Wimbledon final - a streak of seven matches.

"It was brutal — it's very warm," Djokovic said. "I was prepared for a physical battle. 

"But it's one thing to prepare and another thing to experience it on the court. 

"I was expecting very long rallies and just managed to play the third set the way I was supposed to, and I'm thrilled with this win."

Djokovic, who is one ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title short of matching Roger Federer's total of 23, added: "I'm trying to enjoy the moment and also utilise this time of my career where I'm probably playing the tennis of my life, and I'm feeling confident and physically fit.

"I'm trying to use that. That's what I'm thinking about right now... I am aware that this cannot go forever. There is going to be eventually a change of generations, some players that are going to start playing better and be stronger."

As for Murray, it is back to the drawing board after yet another defeat to Djokovic.

Murray has lost to the world number one in the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open and the Australian Open final this year, having already fallen to defeats in Paris, Beijing, New York and Miami in 2014.

"I just have to try and keep working hard and see if there are a few things I can do differently, which might help," Murray explained. 

"It's tough, because it was obviously pretty brutal conditions out there. He was stronger than me at the end, for sure."

Sacha Pisani