Djokovic beats Murray in Indian Wells semi-final

World number one Novak Djokovic easily recorded his sixth successive victory over Andy Murray to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The defending champion broke the British number one three times to win the opening set and once in the second to triumph 6-2 6-3 in 88 minutes.

Murray did save three match points but the Scot hit a backhand into the net on the fourth to gift the Serb victory.

Djokovic will face Roger Federer in Sunday’s final.

The Swiss world number two beat Milos Raonic 7-5 6-4 in the second semi-final.

In each of Murray’s eight victories over Djokovic, he has won the first set.

But a ninth win, and first since the 2013 Wimbledon final, looked unlikely when he was broken twice in his opening three service
games.



“I’d have liked to have started both sets better,” Murray said. “He was up very quickly in both and coming from behind against those guys is tough.

“There’s a reason why he’s number one in the world… it’s not always just about me.”

Just 40% of Murray’s first serves were in, while three double faults and 16 unforced errors littered the first set.

He did break Djokovic in game seven but the three-time Indian Wells champion hit back, breaking to love, to wrap up the opening set in 37 minutes.

Murray gifted Djokovic a fourth break in his opening service game of the second set with another errant forehand, reports the BBC.