Andy Murray squanders five championship points as Djokovic takes his revenge in Shanghai

Andy Murray wasted five championship points as Novak Djokovic gained revenge for his US Open final defeat with a thrilling triumph at the Shanghai Masters.

The Serbian somehow stayed alive in the second set, breaking when Murray was serving for the match and then winning a remarkable tie-break 13-11.

And the world number two broke the Scot's resolve in the decider to claim a 5-7 7-6 (13/11) 6-3 victory in three hours 21 minutes.

It was two-time defending champion Murray's first defeat in Shanghai in 13 matches.

Murray, who beat Djokovic in an epic five-set match to lift the US Open crown last month, came into the final in fine form, having dismantled world number one Roger Federer in yesterday's semi-final.

And, despite going a break down early on, he recovered well to win a first set which featured seven breaks of serve.

The crucial break came when he moved 6-5 in front, his opponent responding with a huge display of frustration, smashing his racket on the ground.

Murray duly closed out the set.

And a straight-sets victory looked on the cards when he served for the match at 5-4, his the only break this time.

But from 0-30 down and having saved a championship point, the Serbian upped his game and broke back before forcing the tie-break which would change the course of the match.

Murray fell 3-1 behind in the breaker before getting back on terms and carving out two more match points at 6-4.

But Djokovic saved both and then two more at 8-7 and 10-9 before finally levelling the match on his fourth set point.

The momentum was now firmly with the five-time Grand Slam winner and be broke in the decider for a 4-3 lead.

Serving to stay in the match at 3-5, Murray saved two championship points, but could not do so a third time as Djokovic ended the Scot's winning run in Shanghai.

PA