The Serbian’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Murray will once again give the world no.1 massive confidence going into the 2nd grand slam of the season – the French Open – later on in the month – a title he has never won.
Murray, who 12 months ago, won the title against local hero, Nadal, was taken apart in the opening set by Djokovic who won in Spain in 2011. He broke his rival’s serve twice to gain the upper hand in the final. Something Djokovic rarely needs against his opponent, who he has a fantastic record against in big finals. The Scotsman regrouped in the second set and settled his composure to produce the tennis that had seen him to the final. He got his first break in the match, and produced tight tennis that pinned Djokovic back to the baseline throughout the set to hold on and take it with the loss of three matches.
The final set between the two, soon saw a clear favourite, as Djokovic took the early initiative and broke Murray but there was nothing in it at 2-2 as the Brit player fought hard. Another break for Djokovic see him close in on a 29th Masters title, but not after a 14 minute final tense game, that see him hold on to win.
For Murray, he was delighted with his performances on clay. “It’s been a positive week for me this week overal l- a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought I’d be winning against Rafa and then pushing Novak this close on a clay court.”
Djokovic maintains his no.1 and takes home €912,900 for his week in Madrid.
In the women’s final, Romanian Simona Halep captured her first title of 2016 with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 win over Slovakian Dominika Cibukova.
Halep, who made the final in 2014 said: “”I expected a tough match today,” Halep said. “I thought that I would struggle a little bit with her shots, but I was very strong on my legs and could block. I could make my game, I can say.”
