Murray, Djokovic set up third-round showdown at Madrid Masters

For the first time since 2017, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will go head-to-head on the ATP Tour.

In order to make it happen, Murray had to accomplish another feat that had not been seen since 2017. The 34-year-old Scot won a clay-court match for the first time in five years when he defeated Dominic Thiem during first-round action at the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday and he added another victory on Tuesday night, beating Denis Shapovalov 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.

Shapovalov served at a stellar 75 percent, but Murray’s return game and defensive skills were too much for the lefty’s offense. Murray generated 11 break-point opportunities and converted four of them, which was enough for him to advance after two hours and eight minutes.

“A little bit,” Murray said when asked if he is surprised by his level on clay this week. “But I’ve also worked really hard to get to this point. I trained very hard the last four or five weeks and got my game in good shape. My movement is so much better than it was at the beginning of the year. That makes a huge difference in my whole game. It allows me to make different decisions on the court. My movement won me that match tonight. He has so much power and I managed to defend lots of points.”

Next up for Murray is a battle between two of the best defensive players in ATP history. It’s a rivalry that has been on display 36 times–but not once since early 2017.

“In theory I should have no chance in the match,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said of his upcoming date with Djokovic, who leads the head-to-head series 25-11. “He’s obviously No. 1 in the world and I’m playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn’t have a chance in the match. It’s a great opportunity for me to see where my game’s at and to play against him again. We’ve had so many great battles over the years at some of the biggest tournaments. We’ve played in the final in all four Grand Slams. We played here in the final. 

“I’ll enjoy it; I’ll have a fantastic attitude in the match, give it my best, and see where I’m at.”