Miami Final - (2) Murray v (3) Ferrer

In this, their 12th career meeting, both Murray and Ferrer have much to prove, doubts to allay and points to prove.

Murray leads the rivalry 6 matches to 5, Ferrer has won 2 of the last 3 meetings; Ferrer won 3 of their first 4 meetings; Murray won the 4 in between.

Murray is looking for his 9th TMS title in his 5th full season since winning his 1st back in 2008 in Cincinnati, and his 2nd Miami title, following his maiden win there in 2009.

Ferrer is only appearing in his 3rd TMS title, having lost his first two on clay to Nadal, then winning his 3rd at the end of 2012 v Janowicz in Paris.

Murray will need to serve well, retrieve well, and force aggressive play; he must not sit back and await errors but push Ferrer, using his all court game. If he does this, although there will be precious few free points, he'll come away with the title.

For his part, Ferrer must also make a high number of deep, well positioned serves, taking full advantage of any weak, or short replies. He may not get many short shots during rallies but it's crucial that any he does get, that he takes those chances and plays aggressively.

Definitely Murray's match in which to impose himself, but also room for Ferrer to shine, if Murray doesn't actively take the match into his hands.

Murray looking for his 10th TMS title in 4 1/2 years of TMS play since winning his 1st (starting the count from August 2008, when he won that).

Nadal, Federer and Djokovic took respectively: 3 yrs, 4 1/4yrs and 4 1/2 years (to win their 10th TMS title, starting the count from winning their 1st - e.g., Nadal's 1st TMS win was 2005 Monte Carlo, his 10th was 2008 Monte Carlo - so three years of play to get "there").
Agassi and Sampras took respectively: 9 1/2, and 7yrs to do same.

Nadal (22), Federer (21), Djokovic (13) and Murray (8) combine for 63 TMS titles, equal to 7 solid years. It's interesting to also see how much stronger and successful they are, in comparison to the series of No 1 players, and their amassing of TMS titles, in years when they are "ruled" the sport, at high rankings. Shows that these four players are consistently winning these "2nd tier" titles, after the 4 Majors, and there is very little left for the rest of the players.

OK play just beginning, let's all enjoy this!

4th last paragraph should read "Murray looking for this NINTH (not 10th) TMS title. Sorry.

What the heck ferrer is on some crazy juice up 5-1, but murray just gets back one of the breaks but still down a break. 5-2

Good article.

The Murray Ferrer H2H is distorted somewhat by the clay results. The hard court H2H was 5-1 Murray. 6-1 now after today. Even the 1 Ferrer HC win came at the 02 just before Murray pulled out injured.

As we move to clay Ferrer will become the obvious favourite should they meet. I know some are hoping for a big Murray improvement on the clay this year, but I don't see it personally. I think it may stop him ever reaching number 1 in the world too.

If you offered me quarter finals at the French Open for Murray right now I'd take it.