Novak Djokovic edges Andy Murray in classic Madrid Masters final

The world number one looked untouchable has he raced through the opening set in less than half an hour.

But Murray broke back early in the second set, and played some brilliant tennis to serve it out and force a decider.

Djokovic broke early in the third set only for Murray to break back immediately, and held a match point on Murray’s serve at 5-2.

Murray saved that, and had three break points at 0-40 on Djokovic’s serve in the very next game to prolong the match but failed to take any of them – and he earned three more break points at subsequent deuces, only for Djokovic to save all of them and earn a second match point that he squandered with a forehand into the net.

Another Murray break point followed, then another match point came as Murray went long with a forehand – and the Scot then netted a forehand on the next point as Djokovic claimed the title.

Djokovic has hit new heights by beating Nadal’s record of 28 Masters titles, and heads to first Rome and then Roland Garros as a heavy favourite.

Murray, meanwhile, will be bitterly disappointed after fighting so hard. Not only did he lose the match, he also lost the chance to defend his title – and will now also lose his world number two ranking to Roger Federer when the new points are revealed on Monday morning.

Yet that disappointment will be tempered by his best display on clay since he won this title last year – and he will fancy his chances of going one better than he did at last year’s French Open, where he lost to Djokovic in a five-set semi-final.