Novak Djokovic has won the latest instalment of his thrilling rivalry with Andy Murray as the world number one fought back to secure a dramatic 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory in the ATP Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena.
Djokovic has a 100 per cent record after two Group A matches at the season-ending event and will be guaranteed a place in the semi-finals if France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeats Czech fifth seed Tomas Berdych later in the day.
World number three Murray now needs to win his final group match against Tsonga on Friday to avoid an early exit after the US Open champion failed to take advantage of a promising start.
“We really pushed each other up to the last ball. It could have gone either way. It was enjoyable to be part of,” Djokovic said.
“I’m not going to worry about the qualification calculations. I’ll just enjoy this victory. I have to walk my dog tonight. It’s my turn. That’s my primary focus now!”
Murray added: “He played better in the second set. The third set was tight and the last two minutes probably is what decided it.
“He broke from 15-40, and then I had 15-40 next game and didn’t break. So that was the moment that decided the match.”
Djokovic and Murray have been on-court rivals and off-court friends since the day they first faced off at an Under-12s tournament in the south of France.
And, with Roger Federer approaching the end of his career and Rafael Nadal hampered by knee problems, their meetings have emerged as the sport’s most significant occasions.
On Wednesday the Scot tried to stamp his authority on the tie as quickly as possible and earned a break point in the first game which he took with a forehand winner on the run.
Murray kept Djokovic at bay with some fine serving and, while he couldn’t convert his first set point on the Serb’s serve, he sealed the set at the second attempt in the next game.
Djokovic was gradually finding his rhythm however and a lunging volley in the sixth game of the second set secured his first break point, which he converted, celebrating with a wild fist-pump when Murray’s volley drifted long, before serving out the set.
There was real power and purpose to Djokovic’s game now and he pounced on a rare loose service game from Murray to break for a 2-1 lead in the decider.
But, with the finish line in sight, there was one final twist.
Leading 4-3, Djokovic suddenly lost concentration and Murray, correctly challenging a crucial call on break point, seized his chance to draw level.
That was the cue for the most intense period of the match as both players slugged it out in search of the knockout blow.
It was Djokovic who delivered it, breaking for a 5-4 lead, then saving two break points and finally bringing to a close a decidedly heavyweight bout.