Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic met in the 2008 Cincinnati final, embracing Ohio’s most exciting title match in five years. Three years after debuting at the Masters 1000 series in 2005, Andy clinched his first title at that level following a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 victory over Djokovic.
Andy fell to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and Toronto before heading all the way in Cincinnati. Murray lost the opening set against Carlos Moya in the quarter-final before shifting into a higher gear, dominating in sets two and three to book the clash against Ivo Karlovic.
Murray beat Karlovic 6-4, 6-4 despite losing serve two times, advancing to his first Masters 1000 final. Novak Djokovic stood on the other side of the net after ending Nadal’s 32-match winning streak in the semi-final. Novak beat all rivals in straight sets and earned a chance to chase his fifth Masters 1000 crown, the third of the season after Indian Wells and Rome.After two hours and 23 minutes of exhausting battle, Murray took down the Australian Open champion in two tie breaks.
Thus, he secured the second win over the Serb in as many weeks after Toronto, prevailing over Novak in their sixth meeting at a Masters 1000 level! Nothing could separate them in most of the encounter, with Andy taking ten points more and crossing the finish line first.
He saved three out of five break chances and stole Novak’s serve two times from four opportunities. As expected, Djokovic had more winners, unforced and forced errors. They were neck and neck in the mid-range and extended rallies, and the Briton forged the advantage in the shortest exchanges to prevail in straight sets.
Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic for the first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati 2008.
The youngsters kicked off the clash with four good holds before Novak faced a stern challenge in game five.
He forced Andy’s error to save a break chance, bringing the game home after 11 minutes to avoid the setback. Djokovic was in trouble again two games later. He erased a break opportunity with a well-constructed attack and a backhand winner, holding after a service winner to remain on the positive side.
Andy lost only six points in six service games to keep momentum. He claimed the tie break 7-4 following Djokovic’s backhand error after 71 minutes. Untouchable on serve since the beginning of the encounter, Murray finally experienced problems at 1-1 in set number two.
He repelled two break points with fantastic winners before Novak converted the third when Andy’s backhand landed long.Instead of confirming the lead, Djokovic netted a backhand in the next game to lose the advantage. With momentum on his side, the Briton grabbed another break at 4-3 after an incredible defense and Djokovic’s smash error, serving for the title in the next one.
Ready to fight until the end, the Serb saved four match points with strong hitting and earned a break after Murray’s forehand error, prolonging the battle and his chances. They went into the second tie break, and the Briton grabbed a thrilling rally at 4-4 with a backhand winner.
Andy forged a 6-4 lead when Novak hit a costly double fault and converted the sixth match point at 6-5 with a backhand down the line winner, lifting his first Masters 1000 trophy.
