Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray: Ranking their 5 Matches of 2016
Jun 5, 2016;Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Andy Murray (GBR) at the net after their match on day 15 of the 2016 French Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are the two top players in men’s tennis. They met for a 5th time in 2016 at the O2 Arena in London for the ATP World Tour Finals.
Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest in the sport of tennis. In late 2016, Andy Murray overtook the Serbian tennis superstar for the ATP world number 1 ranking.
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The ATP World Tour Finals championship match was the 5th time that Djokovic and Murray met during the 2016 season. The meeting was almost storybook, capping off the 2016 men’s tennis season with a match between the sport’s top two players. It would be the 35th all-time meeting between the top tennis players.
2016 saw Djokovic and Murray facing off in Grand Slam meetings and during crucial midseason matches. Both would hold the world number 1 ranking at different points throughout 2016.
Murray’s surge throughout the year earned him an Olympics gold in men’s singles and brought him to the top of the ATP rankings.
Here are Djokovic and Murray’s 2016 meetings, RANKED.
Next: Djokovic-Murray #5 Match
Aug 16, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) shakes hands with Andy Murray of Great Britain after their match during the Rogers Cup tennis tournament final at Uniprix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
#5 – Mutua Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray met during the finals of the Mutua Madrid Open in May 2016. The finals matchup saw both players advancing through a competitive field made up of the best in men’s tennis.
Djokovic defeated Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals and Murray took down Rafael Nadal to advance. Both claimed victories in straight sets during the semi-finals round. Madrid was Djokovic and Murray’s second meeting on the 2016 season, pitting the two top players in the sport against one another for a title.
Djokovic took the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
While the Serbian cruised through the first set with ease, Murray brought it on to force the finals match to a third set. Despite Djokovic’s victory, the match was a sign of things to come for Murray in 2016. The Scot would take the defeat and learn from it, using the loss as fuel to spur his late 2016 season surge toward number one.
Apr 5, 2015; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Novak Djokovic (R) and Andy Murray (L) pose for a picture prior to their match in the men
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
#4 – Italian Open
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray met for their third time in 2016 at the Italian Open in Rome, Italy. Again, the two top players in men’s tennis saw themselves in a finals match against one another.
Djokovic held momentum going into the match, having come off a win in the Madrid finals over Murray 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Murray, however, made the Serbian work for his win at Madrid and the British tennis star was set to see a different result in Rome.
Murray came on strong from the start. He continued to dominate the match throughout, showing the tennis world that he is one of the greats in the sport. Djokovic might’ve owned the career head-to-head at this point, but Murray was determined to start changing that.
Murray took the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
Italy marked what could be considered a turning point for Murray’s historic 2016 season.
Sept 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA;
Novak Djokovic of Serbia after beating Gael Monfils of France on day twelve of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
#3 – Australian Open
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray saw each other in the finals at the first Grand Slam of 2016, the Australian Open. The late January finals match was a sign of things to come for the rest of the season. Little did the tennis world know then that Djokovic and Murray would also meet at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
Australia proved to be a competitive clash between the two best in men’s tennis. The finals match required 3 sets, including a tie-break to close out the final set between Djokovic and Murray.
Djokovic took the match 6-1, 7-5, 7-6.
While he moved through the first set in control over Murray, Djokovic struggled to put away the Scot in the following two sets. Hanging tough, Djokovic took the match and showed that he would be looking to defend his greatness throughout the 2016 season.
Jun 5, 2016;Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Andy Murray (GBR) at the net after their match on day 15 of the 2016 French Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
#2 – French Open
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray saw themselves squaring off in yet another Grand Slam finals match at Roland Garros. The two top players in men’s tennis had previously met at both Madrid and Rome within just weeks of their clash in Paris, France.
Going into the match at Roland Garros, Djokovic held the 2016 head-to-head between himself and Murray at 2-1. Murray was, however, surging after a win over the Serbian in straight sets at the Italian Open.
The crowds at Roland Garros received an incredible match between Djokovic and Murray, seeing a 4-set finals for the Grand Slam title. Despite a strong start by Murray, Djokovic rose to the occasion to claim his first ever French Open title.
Djokovic took the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with his win over Murray.
Sep 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic (SRB), right, shakes hands with Andy Murray (GBR), left, after their match on day ten of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
#1 – ATP World Tour Finals
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray made 2016 a storybook season.
The tennis world saw the two greats start the year facing off for a finals match at the Australian Open and would close 2016 with a match for the title in London. The O2 Arena hosted the two greats for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
The encounter saw Murray entering the match as the world number one, a title he overtook Djokovic for just weeks prior. He had not expected to reach ATP world number one until early 2017. On the other hand, Djokovic, was the 4-time defending champion at the ATP World Tour Finals. He was also seeking his 6th overall title at the season-ending tournament.
The clash at the O2 completed a historic head-to-head story for Djokovic and Murray in 2016. Murray came out of the gates strong, taking the first set 6-3. The British tennis star was set to end 2016 as the top player in men’s tennis.
Murray took the match 6-3, 6-4.
The showdown in London was the perfect ending to an intense back and forth 2016 between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Jun 5, 2016;Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Andy Murray (GBR) pose with their trophies at the presentation on day 15 of the 2016 French Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray 2016
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s meetings throughout 2016 showed the tennis world that they are witnessing two of the greatest to ever play the sport.
If the season is a sign of things to come, look for more competitive play in 2017, especially if other greats such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal come into the next season healthy and ready to contend. Djokovic and Murray both had historic 2016 seasons, each claiming at least one Grand Slam title. Murray won the Olympic gold for men’s singles and claimed a number one ranking for the first time in his career.
The two players have a unique relationship both on and off the court. The tennis world will eagerly await their next encounters in 2017. There is no doubt that when they meet next, history will again be made.
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