Andy Murray has advanced to the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship after a straight-sets victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.
The Serb took an unbeaten 2012 record into the encounter but after an even start was soon undone by Murray's all-round game.
The pair both looked strong on serve in the opening game but it was Murray who broke first in the sixth game after coming back from 30-0 down.
Murray went on to close out the set 6-2 thanks to another break to-love in the eighth game.
The Scot continued his dominance and raced to a 3-0 lead at the start of the second thanks to a break in game two because of some idle Djokovic groundstrokes.
The defending champion continued to fire wide under pressure but found some reserve as Murray buckled when serving for the match at 5-3 and the set was soon level at 5-5.
Murray held to move ahead 6-5 then opened up a chance of victory by moving to 0-30 on Djokovic's serve. Soon the Scot had two match points and Djokovic netted to hand Murray his fifth victory over the world number one.
Murray will contest for the title worth 500 ranking points against the winner of the second semi-final between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro.
Pascal Lemesre
