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Murray stuns Djokovic to reach Dubai final

Andy Murray was too strong for Novak Djokovic © PA Photos

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Andy Murray condemned world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to his first defeat of the season as the Scot booked his place in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship for the first time.

Murray, who was beaten by Djokovic in an epic Australian Open semi-final in January, avenged his defeat with a resounding 6-2 7-5 victory to end the Serb's 18-match unbeaten streak in Dubai.

Murray served for the match at 5-3 in the second set, but was forced to fend off a late fightback from the world No. 1, holding his nerve to claim a fifth career victory over his good friend and rival.

Djokovic, the three-time defending champion, started with ominous efficiency as he powered through his opening two service games without dropping a point. After opening the third with back-to-back aces, it looked like Murray had no answer to the five-time grand slam champion.

However, a flurry of errors from Djokovic gifted Murray the break. The world No. 1 had the chance to break back immediately, but the Scot produced a combination of bold net play and booming ground strokes to save two break points.

After such a bright start, Djokovic was on the ropes, and Murray broke once again to grab the opening set.

Murray has been working on his serve with new coach Ivan Lendl, and the world No. 4 reaped the benefits as he made over 70 per cent of first serves and won 84% of points on first serve.

Djokovic won the title in Dubai last year en route to an astonishing 43-match winning streak, but Murray ensured there would be no repeats of last year's heroics as he brought the Serb's winning start to the season to an end after just 10 matches.

With Djokovic's error count creeping up uncharacteristically quickly, Murray held his opening service game in the second set before a wild Djokovic forehand gifted Murray a 2-0 lead, and the Scot made Djokovic pay with another solid service game for a 3-0 lead.

Djokovic held serve for the first time in four service games to stop the rot, but Murray appeared to be firmly on course for victory as he gave little away on serve.

However, Murray rarely takes the easy route to victory, and he gifted Djokovic a way back into the match, but it proved a mere wobble as Murray grabbed a late break to seal an impressive victory.

Next up for Murray is four-time champion Roger Federer after the Swiss fended off a stubborn Juan Martin del Potro 7-6(5) 7-6(6).

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