Andy Murray must stick to his guns to beat Novak Djokovic, says Mark Petchey

Andy Murray must stick to his guns to defeat Novak Djokovic in Friday’s French Open semi-final, says Mark Petchey.

The British No 1 has built up an impressive 15-0 winning streak on clay courts this season, culminating in ending a four-game losing run on the surface against David Ferrer in Wednesday’s quarter-final at Roland Garros.

But Djokovic, the world No 1, represents a much tougher task and Petchey insists that Murray’s improvement on clay signifies that he must not alter his approach to playing his long-standing rival.

“He needs to keep believing that what he’s doing is right,” the Sky Sports expert said.

“Against Ferrer, he was able to get onto the baseline and use his forehand far more effectively than ever before. His balance when sliding out wide onto the forehand side has been better, which he’ll need against Djokovic. 

“Murray’s second serve has also got better and that’s important because Djokovic often tries to target him using his big returns. Murray might be able to protect himself better now.

People’s perception of Andy on clay seems to be very low considering the results he’s had.

“The match he played against Ferrer was equally as good, if not better, than his win against Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open in May. The Ferrer match was his best on the clay because he had match point, lost it, then came out in the next set and played perfectly.

“People’s perception of Andy on clay seems to be very low considering the results he’s had. That needs to be re-evaluated – he made two French Open semi-finals and lost an epic in Rome in 2011 to Novak Djokovic who hadn’t lost all season. He played sensationally against Nadal last year.”

Djokovic, the favourite to lift the Paris trophy to complete a career Grand Slam, has forged a recent dominance over his Scottish rival by winning their last seven encounters, most recently in the Australian Open final.

But Petchey insists that the British No 1’s recent wedding, which resulted in a brief break and subsequently a training camp prior to the clay season, has rebuilt his game to a level that can challenge Djokovic.

“The training block that he got in after getting married was pivotal,” he said. “In the past, he’s come straight off the hard courts in Miami and got straight on the clay and he hasn’t had the opportunity to prepare like he did this year prior to Munich and Madrid.

“The injury Murray sustained to his back is one reason he has lost their last seven matches, and Djokovic doing things slightly better recently is another.

“Fitness-wise, that’s the main factor. It’s not a technique issue. He’s had an extra two or three percent that Murray hasn’t matched because of his back injury.

“Djokovic has improved his second serve this season. His net game has also developed, he looks more comfortable deciding when to go in. But we’re not talking massive margins, Murray isn’t far behind.”