Madrid Masters Final: Novak Djokovic vs Andy Murray - Where to watch live, preview, live stream information

If critics still had doubts about Andy Murray’s improved form on clay, then the World No. 2 dispelled all those doubts with his 7-5, 6-4 defeat of the in-form Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters on Saturday.

The defending champion had a lowly 54% first serves in but still managed to maneuver the contest his way against the Spaniard who was on a 13-match winning streak.

Granted the World No. 5 could convert only 2 out of the 13 break point opportunities that he got but that was more due to Murray’s stubborn resilience. He saved as many as eight break points and thumped 6 aces in the second set alone to dash the 14-time Grand Slam champion’s hopes in straight sets.

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Murray clearly has been doing a lot better than where he was during the North American hardcourt swing at Indian Wells and Miami. The two clay court Masters tournaments that he has played have yielded impressive results that included a semi-final finish at Monte Carlo and now at least a final at the Spanish capital.

For all the spark that the 28-year-old has shown, he has to raise his level even higher for the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic now stands between him and his third title in this city.

After a shock second-round defeat at the hands of the lower-ranked Jiri Vesely, the Serb is hungry to rebound and he has a very good chance to add to the 2011 title that he won at Madrid.

He did not drop a set all week and even in the semi-finals, he was cantering to an easy win when Kei Nishikori made one last push and made him work hard for the 6-3, 7-6(4) victory.

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Djokovic’s biggest asset is how he always succeeds in raising his level even when the chips are down. The Japanese got 5 chances to break the Djokovic serve out of which he could convert just one towards the fag end of the match.

Novak was able to keep a 73% of first serves in that bailed him out of trouble many a time. And he grabbed a whopping 40% of return points against somebody as speedy and athletic as Nishikori.

Perhaps that is an indication of his preparedness for his upcoming trophy battle with Murray. Returns will be the key in this match where two of the world’s best returners will be locking horns.

The last time that the two faced each other on the red dirt, it turned out to be an enthralling contest with the 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1 result going in favour of the Serb at the 2015 French Open semi-finals. Expect more of such an absorbing high-quality match on Sunday.