Story highlights
Novak Djokovic through to Miami final after straight sets victory over Juan Monaco of Argentina
Serb will face Andy Murray after Rafael Nadal quits before Friday's semifinal
Nadal suffering from knee injury from quarterfinal win over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
World No.1 Novak Djokovic will play Britain’s Andy Murray in the final of the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami on Sunday.
The Serb beat Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-0 7-6 (7-5) on Friday to set up a showdown with the Scot who he beat in a marathon five-setter at the Australian Open semifinal in Melbourne at the beginning of the year.
Djokovic lost just eight points in a first set whitewash before Monaco rallied in the second.
But the Serb, who is defending the title he won 12 months ago, wrapped up the match with his second match point in the tie-break.
Murray went through to the final after his semifinal opponent Rafael Nadal withdrew before the start of their match.
World No.2 Nadal is struggling with the knee injury he picked up Wednesday’s quarterfinal win over Jo-Wilfred Tonga, where he was taken to three hard-fought sets.
“We are disappointed that Rafa has been forced to withdraw from the tournament but the health of the players always needs to be the number one priority,” tournament director Adam Barrett told the official website.
It is the second walkover of the week for fourth-ranked ranked Murray, whose third round opponent Milos Raonic of Canada also pulled out through injury.
Nadal, who was beaten by Djokovic in an epic final in Melbourne, has suffered from knee problems in the past, most notably in 2009, and decided against risking his injury.
“So sorry for my fans, those here at Miami and those around the world. My knee won’t let me play today,” he told his official Facebook page.
Nadal was hoping for his first victory at the hard court tournament and looking to improve his 13-5 winning record over Murray.
He will now look to get fit ahead of the clay court season and his defense of the French Open title.
