Andy Murray has bowed out of the US Open at the quarter-final stage after he lost in four thrilling sets to Novak Djokovic.
The opening two sets were of the highest quality, with Djokovic proving why he is the number one player in the world and Murray showing signs that he can still compete at the top level.
However, at the start of the third set, Djokovic took control as Murray began to wilt, and although the Scot dug deep to remain in the match, the Serbian player prevailed by a 7-6 6-7 6-2 6-4 scoreline.
Read below to see how the action unfolded on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the US Open quarter-final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Ever since he produced his best tennis of the year to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets on Monday evening, there has been a sense of anticipation about Andy Murray's encounter with Novak Djokovic but ladies and gentleman, we are just 10 minutes away from the match you have been waiting for. The two players have made their way onto Arthur Ashe.
Before we continue, a huge well done for staying up...or climbing out of bed...to take in this match. It's 2.35am in the UK and 10.35pm in New York, so whichever you look at it, it looks like it is going to be a late 'un.
As the players warm-up, what can I tell you about this quarter-final showdown that hasn't already been said? In truth, not a lot, but this is the second meeting of the year between Murray and Djokovic - with the Serbian winning on the American hard courts in March - while it is their 21st meeting in all, with Djokovic leading that respective list by 12 contests to eight.
The winner of this last-eight match will face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals after the Japanese player outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka over five sets in an absolute thriller. Will this match replicate that one? Let's hope so! Time is just about to be called by the umpire. Strap yourself in folks, we are ready to get underway.
BREAK! Can we have more of that please, Andy? Murray crunches a second-serve return into the corner, but he goes long on the next point to make it 15-15. However, Djokovic makes two unforced errors and in the very first game of the match, Murray has two break points. The first is saved with a massive first serve down the middle, while the second is dumped into the net by the Scot after a mis-hit forehand from Djokovic. Chance. Murray gets a third opening when Djokovic nets, but this time, Murray breaks when Djokovic overcooks a forehand from the baseline.
BREAK! Murray starts with two first serves that aren't unreturned by Djokovic, but a weak second serve is given the treatment by the number one seed. Murray is attacking everything that comes is way, but it doesn't pay off as he sends a backhand into the net. He recovers to send a flat forehand onto the sideline to bring up game point, but his shoulder buckles on a second serve and we have deuce. Problems for Murray? He saves two break points, but he can't save a third as Djokovic levels things up straightaway after prevailing from a lengthy rally.
I think Murray has made the decision to attack every second serve, and it pays off during the first part of the game as he gets to 30-30 with a stunning forehand winner. Djokovic lands a first serve on the next point but Murray drills a backhand passing shot into the corner. It's a superb shot. Djokovic saves the break point though, and two errors from Murray hand the Serbian the game.
BREAK! Murray brilliantly converts a backhand volley at the net but a wild forehand sees Djokovic back at 15-15. The 2012 winner is struggling a little now, and a double fault and a backhand into the net give Djokovic two break points, and despite Murray improving during the next rally, the top seed breaks after latching onto a Murray drop shot.
Djokovic sends down his first ace of the match to lead 15-0, but two mistakes give Murray an opening at 15-30. A well-directed second serve gets Djokovic out of trouble for now, but Murray secures another break point with a fine backhand return. It's saved excellently, though, when Djokovic serves and volleys for the first time tonight and he comes through in confident fashion. Murray has had chances to break in all three service games, but he has only converted once.
Oh my. Djokovic produces the most scintillating of reactive lobs to flummox Murray to lead 0-15 and it gets worse for Murray as he dumps a forehand into the net. Murray fights back superbly with an ace and a 129mph first serve down the middle to earn game point and he holds for the first time tonight when Djokovic goes long.
BREAK! Djokovic eases to 30-0 but Murray halves the deficit by thumping a first-serve return back at the Serb. A backhand is then hooked wide by Djokovic for 30-30 but he escapes with game point when Murray just misses with a cross-court return. However, Murray takes the next two points to earn another chance to break, which he takes when Djokovic miscues a backhand from the baseline.
Murray takes an early lead but Djokovic is back on the accelerator with a smash and a deft touch at the net for 15-30. What a response from the Scot, though, who draws Djokovic in with a drop shot before converting the backhand volley down the line. Marvellous stuff. Murray then holds with a couple of big serves and to the delight of the 2012 champion, we are back on serve.
Djokovic nets on the opening point, but his defensive skills are there for all to see on the next as Murray nets from a decent position. Murray looks a tad despondent when netting for 30-15, but he is encouraged when Djokovic does the same thing. The next rally is a mini-marathon, but Murray prevails with some superb defensive work of his own to earn break point. Brilliant from Djokovic though, who powers down a first serve. The next exchange is stunning and has the New York crowd on the edge of their sets, but Djokovic pulls through a 30-shot exchange when Murray blasts marginally wide. That's how you respond though! Murray powers down a backhand winner that is followed by a roar of his own, but out of nowhere, Djokovic pulls out an ace. Murray nets on the next return to allow Djokovic to take the game, but I can't do that game justice with just words. Just...wow.
The first two points are shared, before Murray edges ahead with an ace. The Scot then brings up two game points before he crunches an emphatic forehand winner from the back of the court.
A forehand winner out wide from Djokovic takes him to 30-0, but Murray keeps an interest in the game with a passing shot from the back of the court. Some of these points are just epic, and a drop shot from Murray earns 40-30, but he can't get to deuce as Djokovic hangs onto his serve.
Murray blasts a backhand long on the first point of the game, but it's a ridiculous response - he lands with the most audacious of pick-ups at the net for 15-15. Ridiculous. Murray has 30-15, but on the next point, he chooses the wrong shot at the net and Djokovic takes advantage. It's 30-30, but Murray executes the perfect serve out wide for game point, which he seals with a 129mph ace out wide. We are heading into a tie-breaker.
Djokovic smashes the ball into the open court to take the early lead, and that is extended when Murray shanks a second serve. He's then forced onto the back foot before netting a backhand and Murray is 3-0 and two mini-breaks down. Murray attacks a second serve on the next point but he can only drill the return into the net and this set is quickly slipping away. Murray secures one of the mini-breaks back after a long rally, but he wastes a glaring opportunity to make it 4-2 when he smashes a backhand wide.
SET! A sharp return of serve earns Djokovic five set points, and a well-aimed serve out wide sees the number one seed seal the first set in 73 minutes.
After such an enthralling set, it's a disappointing end for Murray, but he shouldn't be too disheartened. He just matched Djokovic blow-for-blow in the highest quality set of the tournament.
Murray needs to clear his mind mentally after that tie-break and he appears to have done so after blasting down three unreturned first serves. A 134mph ace seals the game and it's a blistering response from the Scot.
It's an equally strong hold from Djokovic, who establishes a 40-0 lead in next to no time. A love service hold is completed with a one-two off his serve.
BREAK! Murray begins the third game of the set with an ace down the middle but a 69mph second serve is never going to work and Djokovic levels. The Scot follows that up with a tame forehand into the net and it's two break points to Djokovic after Murray does the same off his backhand wing. A poor game is ended in even more disappointing fashion when another forehand goes into the net and Djokovic is a set and a break to the good.
Murray crushes three returns back at Djokovic but he is only successful with one and the Serb leads 30-15. A wide forehand then flies over the baseline from Murray, and his level has started to drop considerably now. Djokovic holds to 15.
Murray desperately needs a hold here to stop the rot, and he starts positively enough after a Djokovic error and a decent first serve. He then lands a seventh ace before a love hold is registered when Djokovic goes long. He doesn't look too perturbed though.
BREAK! Out of nowhere, Djokovic dips below his usual standards with two mistakes and Murray has 0-30. That then becomes 0-40 when the Serb sends a forehand wide of the tramlines, and this is huge for Murray. Can he take one of these break points? The first is saved with a thudding Djokovic forehand, but the second isn't - Murray powers a backhand pass past Djokovic to get back on serve.
BREAK! Djokovic shows all of his class to outlast Murray during a mammoth exchange for 15-15, and he shows excellent resilience to force Murray to net for 15-30. The length from Djokovic in this game has been perfect and he brings up two break points after making Murray retreat on the baseline. The top seed completes a game of utter brilliance by overpowering Murray during the next rally to reclaim his advantage in this set.
BREAK! What was Murray doing there? He does all of the hard work to establish control in the rally before wrong shot selection costs him dear. However, Djokovic nets twice in succession to hand Murray 15-30 before the Serb throws in his first double fault of the match. Murray has two break points, but they are both saved. However, Djokovic nets again to hand his opponent a third opportunity and this time, some relentless hitting from Murray pays dividends and we are back at 4-4!
An eighth ace and a Murray winner earn the number eight seed 30-0, but Djokovic reads a drop shot and fires his response. Like earlier in the set, a 69mph second serve is given the treatment by Djokovic for 30-30 before Murray explodes into life with a crushing forehand to earn game point and he repeats the feat to force Djokovic to have to serve to remain in the set.
There's a bit of respite for Djokovic after he moves into a 30-0 advantage before an ace from the Serb earns him three game points. Murray remains in the game with a backhand return, but Djokovic holds to 15.
Murray gets lucky when Djokovic fails to challenge a ball that went out, and a couple of first serves quickly take Murray to 40-0. A love hold is sealed with a confident one-two off a first serve and Murray has guaranteed himself a second-set tie-break.
Djokovic starts strongly with a serve out wide but Murray lands a stunning forehand to make Djokovic go long. The Serb responds with a first serve down the middle but Murray fires straight back, making his opponent float the ball over the baseline. Huge point coming up. It's set point to Murray after he outlasts Djokovic from the back of the court. Wow. Can he level it up? He can't. He mistimes a lob and Djokovic converts an easy smash. The number one seed moves to game point after a well thought-out point but Murray hangs in with superb tennis from the back of the court. Djokovic digs deep though, and it's his game. We are into another tie-break.
Murray gets on the board with a confident volley at the net and he edges further ahead when Djokovic hooks a backhand long of the baseline. It's 3-0 to Murray when Djokovic makes another error and that becomes 4-0 when he outlasts the top seed from the back of the court. Djokovic reduces the deficit when a second serve from Murray is punished, but Murray regains the four-point advantage with some brutal hitting.
SET! Murray earns five set points after Djokovic nets a routine backhand and the match is levelled when a return from Djokovic is sent long. After two hours and 13 minutes, we are at a set all.
Murray opens the third with two lazy points, but he halves the deficit with a thumping forehand. Djokovic comes through comfortably enough though, and you feel that was a big hold from the top seed. He took a battering at the end of the second set.
Murray takes Djokovic all around the court before drilling a forehand winner down the line. Perfection. He follows that up with a cross-court forehand that Djokovic can't handle on the stretch and three game points are earned when the Serbian nets. The most supreme of games is confirmed with a fizzing forehand winner on the back foot. It's outrageous. Perfect hold.
After the first two points are shared, Djokovic smashes his way to 30-15 before Murray concedes two game points with a tame backhand into the net. A 123mph first serve gets the job done for Djokovic and he is warming into this third set.
BREAK! Djokovic takes the opening point after some exquisite play at the net and that soon becomes 0-30 when Murray slices a backhand over the baseline. Murray remains competitive with a blistering forehand winner but he goes for too much on the next and Djokovic has two break points. The chance is swiftly taken when Murray slices long and the Serbian has the advantage once again.
Murray is continuing to hit some sublime winners, but Djokovic is the more efficient right now and he sweeps to 40-15. Murray hits back with a backhand return winner that catches the line and deuce is brought up when Djokovic misses a difficult smash. It's a quick turnaround in this game as Djokovic goes wide with a forehand and it's a break point for Murray. The next point is captivating but Murray's will is broken first and Djokovic survives. The Scot creates another opening with a passing forehand winner but he wastes it by thrashing a forehand into the net. Djokovic earns game point with the craziest reactions on the baseline to catch Murray's baseline and he holds onto his advantage when Murray nets. That could be a huge game in to the context of the match.
Murray's second serves are letting him down tonight, and Djokovic jumps all over another to get to 15-15. The Scot responds with two timely first serves before Djokovic blasts another return long to see Murray stay in the set.
The opening two points are shared before Murray recovers from the back of the court to see Djokovic send a volley wide. He can't take advantage though and Djokovic gets to game point with a fine serve out wide and a stray Murray return sees the Serb move one game away from the third set.
SET! Murray begins a must-win service game in confident style in registering a forehand winner and an ace, but Djokovic gets back into it when Murray makes successive errors. After a forehand clips the net cord, Murray is facing set point down but he saves it with a drive volley from the middle of the court. However, Djokovic gets another opening when Murray nets a backhand and on this occasion, he takes it when Murray nets again. The top seed is back in the ascendancy.
A change in shirt can't help Murray out as he falls 30-0 down but Djokovic throws in a double fault on the way to the getting back to 30-30. After another lengthy rally, Djokovic goes long with a backhand to gift Murray an early break point but it's saved in emphatic style. Murray appears to be struggling physically now, and Djokovic comes through with the hold.
Murray has definitely lost the spring he had 30 minutes ago but some big hitting gets him to 30-0. The Scot has two game points at 40-15 but Djokovic senses blood and he fires two sharp returns to get to deuce. However, Murray survives, just, but he could slowly be running on empty.
Djokovic breezes into a 40-0 lead and a love hold is sealed with an ace. It's going to take an hell of an effort for Murray to take this the distance. Before this match, he had spent around three-and-a-half hours on court more than Djokovic and it is starting to show.
Murray powers his way to the first point but he is visibly wilting and a double fault gives Djokovic 15-30. The Scot fights back for 40-30 but a long rally takes it out of the eighth seed and Djokovic has deuce. Murray holds though after two mistakes from Djokovic and the 2012 champion is digging very deep in New York.
There's not a whole lot of effort from Murray to try to prevent Djokovic easing into a 3-2 advantage, but at 40-0, the Serb double faults. Murray then steps into a second serve to thrash a backhand winner past his opponent before dominating the next exchange to get to deuce. Remarkable stuff. However, Djokovic responds with an ace out wide before Murray just misses with a forehand return. Murray has called for the trainer at the changeover.
Murray doesn't receive any treatment and we continue. He starts his service game on the front foot, making up plenty of ground to put away a forehand at the net for 30-0 before Djokovic nets to give him three game points. The top seed saves the first but Murray gets to 3-3 after his opponent blasts a return long.
Djokovic breezes into a 40-0 advantage after some fine serving and errors from Murray and he holds to love after seemingly having the ball on a string as he draws Murray to and from the net.
Murray applied a warm compress to his back at the change of ends. Hopefully it's not too severe. It appears to revitalise the Scot, who crushes a backhand winner on his way to 40-0. He holds to love when Djokovic goes wide with a second-serve return.
Djokovic finds some of his most clinical tennis of the match to open up a 40-0 lead but Murray keeps in the game with a backhand return. It's a short reprieve though and Djokovic is one game away from the last four.
MATCH! It's looking tough for Murray after he dumps a forehand halfway up the net and this looks like it's Djokovic's time to strike as Murray nets again for 0-30. Murray finds a first serve out wide to reduce the score to 15-30 but a backhand from the Scot goes long and it's two match points for Djokovic. The crowd aren't helping matters and after Murray is forced into a second serve, he sends a backhand into the net and Djokovic comes through in four sets.
After just over three-and-a-half hours, Novak Djokovic has ended Andy Murray's dreams of a second US Open title after edging out the Scot in a thrilling encounter. It was a deserved win for the top seed, but plenty of credit should go to Murray, who showed for much of the match that he was close to finding the form that saw him with in New York in 2012.
Djokovic will now go on to face Kei Nishikori for a place in the final. That match is likely to take place during the day session on Saturday.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. For everyone that stayed up or got up for this match, you wasn't disappointed, but it's defeat for Andy Murray at Flushing Meadows. Goodbye for now.
