Djokovic lays down 2017 gauntlet

New season but it’s the same brand of exhilarating tennis from Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Chasing pack beware.

“We had a little laugh at the net. We both felt like if every match we play against each other this season is going to be this way, we’re going to have a fun time,” reflected the world No.2.

The final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open was a blend of pure athleticism, grit and shot making. Djokovic was going for smash winners, Murray was canvassing every inch of the court, his opponent stretching every sinew in punishing rallies.

It was the Serbian, dethroned by Murray as the world No.1, who took the honours in a brutal 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 clash in the desert.

“Best scenario I could ask for at the beginning of the season. Playing all five matches in this tournament and then three hours against No. 1 of the world, biggest rival, and winning in a thrilling marathon match,” Djokovic said having secured his first title since July. “It was a really, really thrilling performance from both of us. Just a great way to start the year.”

The net play was an intriguing aspect of Djokovic’s pursuit. He emphatically put away 13 smashes and had a 70 percent success rate from his 35 journeys into the net. It was an aspect Djokovic was working with under former coach Boris Becker and, even though he launched a few smashes out, that tactic is clearly staying.

The reigning champion commanded proceedings from the baseline in the opener and looked on course for a clinical straight sets triumph. However Murray exemplified his remarkable resilience to edge back from three match points and a break down to force a decider.

One stat in Djokovic’s favour was a 19-0 record against the Scot when he took the first set. Well that was soon to be 20-0.

At 3-3 the agitated Serbian saved a break point and immediately turned the tables to hit a series of crushing returns to break Murray to love, picking up the trophy on his fourth championship point.

The three-hour epic ended Murray’s 28-match wining streak, which dated back to a Davis Cup loss at the hands of Juan Martin Del Potro in September.

Having fallen narrowly short with his comeback, Murray was still optimistic ahead of flying to Melbourne.

On the other hand the Scot is determined to see his break point conversion rate, two in seven during the final, improve at the Australian Open.

“”It’s a tough one to lose,” said the 29-year-old. “It was high level tennis, some of the points were physically tough. But it’s a great way to start the new year and I look forward to the next few weeks.”

“I think physically it was a good test to start the year, and I did good there,” said the world No.1.

“There are things I can do better. I wasn’t that clinical on break points this week, which maybe that comes with playing a few more matches, that was the difference this evening.” The differences were minute.

More crucially for the rest of the ATP field, is anyone brave enough to tackle these two in the upper echelons of the game? It’s an almighty task.

The bar for the season has already been set extremely high, bring on Australian Open 2017.