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[Grabcopy]

Hitting to an extraordinary length in Dubai today, Andy Murray completely dismantled the game of the man who has dominated world tennis for the last 14 months. The Scot, who recovered from a wobble when serving for the match, outplayed Novak Djokovic 6-2 7-5 to reach the final of the Desert Classic.

Murray got off to a great start, converting for 4-2 with some mix-and-match slice and topspin that consistently caught the world number one off guard.

The Scot survived a mini crisis on serve, but then forced the issue at 0-40 on the Serb's delivery with some agile movement. Searing groundshots of astonishing, Lendl-esque length then sealed the first set.

In the early part of the match, it was Murray's first serve that did most of the damage, with a 71% success rate backed up with 94% of first-serve points won. That trend continued in the second set, with powerhouse deliveries constantly forcing Djokovic onto his back foot and allowing the Scot to dictate the rallies.

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Murray's defence was equally outstanding, though. After breaking serve immediately at the start of the second set, the world number four began to produce recoveries, such as the one at 15-40 in the second game, that simply defied the known laws of physics.

With the Serb's game looser than a bucket of fishing worms, the British number one's imperious groundshots powered him onwards to a 5-3 lead.

But, earlier this week, Murray had suggested that he rarely had issues serving out matches and, when he hooked three routine groundshots into the net to concede the game, he might have wished he'd kept quiet.

Djokovic took full advantage, but a solid service game from Murray at 5-5 steadied the ship and, when he dug deep in game 12 to wring the errors from the world number one's racket, it was all over and Djokovic's embrace at the net seemed warm and sincere.

This result may well owe much to his recent spell with new coach Ivan Lendl in Miami. However, just as a break of serve means nothing until it's consolidated, the win might need to be rubber-stamped in a probable meeting with Roger Federer in the final over the weekend.

Nevertheless, this remains an astonishing victory that will surely open up the eyes of the tennis establishment to new and intriguing possibilities at the top of the men's game.

[scotsgeek28]

I am so gutted I missed this, but I can't say I am surprised he won.  I always felt was just easing himself through this week, mindful of what is to come.

Let's hope he can own Federer tomorrow, and then carry that confidence forward into the bigger events to come.  That should give him a huge boost.  From what I read he was nothing short of magical in the first set and most of the second.

A fantastic win, and hopefully many more to come over the top three this year!!!

[Big V]

Well done Andy!
1st serve has improved so much and calm attitude shows great promise for the months to come.
I think working with Mr L is bringing out all the Andy magic, and given him much greater confidence. 

[Grabcopy]

Sorry, had to write quickly - on school run. Probably full of typos.

Mark, can you put the word-break thing in? Ta. See ya later.

[Adrian]

I managed to watch the match on an obscure middle eastern website, through live stream. Aside of the buffering, good coverage. Andy played very well, deep,   powerful groundstrokes and more impressively, a first serve percentage of 71%. Great performance from Andy, however Djokovic did make a number of unforced errors, not normally evident in his game. If Andy continues in this manner, then Federer of Del-potro should not hold too much fear for Andy.

[Bevc]

Am sure the comms said that Andy's the 1st Brit to reach the final

[theycanbillme]

One thought about tomorrow - will Andy be at a disadvantage as the only one not to have played an evening match when it will be cooler and presumably slower?  OK this match went into early evening but the match won't start till 7pm their time and both Fed and Delpo have played that slot.  So while I'm sure the organisers didn't expect Andy to be in the final it looks like their bias, giving him the hot spot everyday, might have consequences?

Just read your full report Nigel - excellent and entertaining as ever.  But unless Andy really messes up tomorrow I don't think even a loss then is as significant as beating Novak and Berdych back 2 back.  That said it's going to be another anxious, nerve-wracking afternoon I fear.

How?
The slower the conditions the more they favour Andy against fed at least.
Im feeling bullish about a Murray Federer match up.
I think we shall see that there really is going to be a Top 3 soon.
Unless he implodes of course but at this level i doubt it.

[theycanbillme]

Another thing Murray won most of the long rallies, and that is good for his confidence.
I also enjoy the Murray-Novak contests much more than the Novak nadal matches. They are all so f**king artless, particularly as nadal is so one dimensional. He needs a versatile player to make him look good.