Djokovic downs Murray in Miami final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in straight sets Sunday as he successfully defended his Sony Ericsson Open title.
Djokovic needed two hours, 18 minutes to pick up his 30th tour-level victory, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.
The Serb moved to 2-1 against Murray this season. Djokovic rallied for a five- set win in the semifinals of the Australian Open, while Murray triumphed in two sets in a semifinal match round in Dubai.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was their third ever meeting in Miami. Djokovic gave up just one game in a semifinal victory in 2007 before Murray won in straight sets in the 2009 title match.
On Sunday, Djokovic converted two of his eight break opportunities and was successful on 70 percent of his service points. Djokovic sealed the victory on his first match point in the second-set tiebreaker when Murray hit his forehand long.
Murray had just one break opportunity the entire match and fell to 5-8 against the world's No. 1.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He hadn't played since beating Janko Tipsarevic in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Rafael Nadal's withdraw in the semifinals allowed him to advance to the final.
The 24-year-old Scottish star, who appeared in his 33rd career ATP final, is 1-2 in his 2012 finals.
Djokovic moved to 20-2 on the year. Both losses have come in semifinals -- John Isner at Indian Wells and Murray in Dubai.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Djokovic, who defeated Nadal in last year's final in Miami, also won this title in 2007.
He collected $659,775 with the victory.