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Novak Djokovic beats defending champion Andy Murray in the Madrid Open

Murray also loses second place in ATP world rankings

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action against Britain’s Andy Murray during the final of the Madrid Open. Photograph: EPA
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action against Britain’s Andy Murray during the final of the Madrid Open. Photograph: EPA
Sun May 08 2016 - 20:23

World number one Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Andy Murray 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the Madrid Open final on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time.

The Serb collected his fifth title of 2016 after winning the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Australian Open, in which he also defeated Britain’s Murray in the final.

Murray, who also lost second place in the ATP world rankings to Roger Federer, knocked out crowd favourite Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals but Djokovic proved a more formidable opponent, breaking the Scot three times in the opening set.

Murray hit back in the second but had no answer in the third as Djokovic repeated his 2011 Madrid Open triumph.

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It’s a great result for the Serb going into the French Open: the only major to have eluded him so far.