Novak Djokovic tames Andy Murray in Paris final

New Delhi: Novak Djokovic continued his splendid 2015 form by winning a record sixth Masters title in Paris after beating Andy Murray 6-2, 6-4 in an one-sided final on Sunday.

The Serbian claimed his 26th Masters 1000 title, and 58th overall title to level with Romanian legend Ilie Nastase for 10th on the Open Era tour list.

Starting as the favourite with a 20-9 head-to-head record against the world number 3, Djokovic won the first set 6-2. He broke Murray in the third and seventh games.

After that first break, the Briton tried hard to get on level terms but the Serbian produced superior service games. In a 15-point fifth game, Murray managed to save three break points, but it was not enough to deny Djokovic the opening set, which lasted 43 minutes.

The second set followed the same script, with the ten-time Grand Slam winner breaking his opponent in the third game to take 2-1 lead. But Murray fought back to level 2-2 and on serve.

After one service hold each, Djokovic broke Murray in the seventh game and hold his serves to win the third successive Paris Masters title, and in the way becoming the first four-time champion in Paris-Bercy history.

The match lasted little over one and half hour, despite all the efforts from the Briton to force a even game.

Stamping his class, the 28-year-old from Belgrade has improved his record against top 10 players in 2015 to a staggering 27-4. And the Serbian has extended his winning streak to 22.

With the season ending ATP World Tour Finals remaining, Djokovic could well claim his 11th title in London this month itself. Besides the three Grand Slam titles – Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles, he has won in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Rome, Beijing and Shanghai before the Paris final.

This is the second time, after 2011, Djokovic has won ten titles in a single year.