Pirate Galaxy » with a strained calf.Russell had t

Andy Murray is just one victory away from successfully defending his Madrid Open title on the clay courts of the Spanish capital.However, the Brit will have to do it the hard way as, having beaten Rafael Nadal in the semis, he must now face world No 1 Novak Djokovic in this evenings mouth-watering final (5.30pm, Sky Sports 3).Murray and Djokovics rivalry has been a huge part of the tennis scene over the last decade and the top two players in the world, who were born just a week apart, met for the first time as professionals at this tournament 10 years ago, Djokovic prevailing 1-6 7-5 6-3 in a round-of-16 clash. The duo will be meeting for the 32nd time today and have squared off in six Grand Slam finals over the years but this will be the first time they have played in a Masters series final on clay.Djokovic holds the 22-9 head-to-head edge and has dominated Murray since the Brit defeated him in the 2013 Wimbledon final.Since that memorable summer day, Murray has secured just one win over Djokovic (Canadian Open final last year) and has suffered 10 defeats, including in the last two Australian Open finals. Murray v Djokovic: The Rivalry We recall previous meetings between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic ahead of the Madrid Open final And Djokovic has yet to even drop a set in Madrid this year, beating Kei Nishikori 6-3 7-6 on Saturday night to earn his place in the final.However, Murrays performances on clay have taken a great leap forward over the last two years and, having defeated Nadal in last years final, the Brit beat the king of clay on his favourite surface once again on Saturday, prevailing 7-5 6-4. Murray defeated Rafa Nadal 7-5 6-4 to book his place in the Madrid final Djokovic said of Murray: He has improved tremendously on clay the last couple of years.I think hes moving better and sliding better on the court. He is more patient. He constructs the point better, which is very important for clay.Djokovic has won their three previous meetings on clay but Murray gave him a major fright in the French Open semis last year before the Serb eventually won 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1.And Murray was in a positive mood after his win over Nadal, saying: I think it was a better win for me this year than last year.Not loads of players have won against Rafa on clay throughout his career.To beat him in Spain on a clay court is obviously a big, big challenge for any player.Im very pleased to have beaten him, its a big step for me from where I was four or five weeks ago. Im going back in the right direction again.Watch the Madrid Open final on Sky Sports 3 HD from 5.30pm - your home of tennisCheck our game-by-game updates of the final on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportstennis.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.Also See:ATP scheduleTennis on SkyLatest scoresGet a NOW TV passVideoRico Garcia Jersey . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. Jim Barr Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. 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We just have to get better," Carroll said.LOS ANGELES -- Carmelo Anthony was thrilled when several Knicks took turns hitting big shots while they held off the Lakers. He can see New York embracing the teamwork and syncopated speed necessary to run coach Jeff Hornaceks offense effectively.The Lakers had a similar rhythm going, and now theyve lost it.Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Derrick Rose scored 25 in his return from injury and the Knicks beat Los Angeles 118-112 Sunday night for their sixth win in seven games.Brandon Jennings scored 15 of his season high-tying 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks moved a season-best four games over .500 (14-10) with a dynamic effort in the final minutes, capped by Roses jumper with 19.4 seconds left.As you can see, different guys stepped up at different times, said Anthony, who had 13 points on 4-of-16 shooting and hit a key late jumper. Were just trusting one another and believing in what were doing, in our schemes, defensively and offensively. Guys are feeling confident when they get the ball to make plays for themselves and others. We need that as a team. We need that confidence.Porzingis has been feeling discomfort in his right knee, but the Latvian big man shook it off for another impressive effort that included seven blocked shots, tying his career high. His defense didnt prevent the Lakers from putting up a 37-point fourth quarter, but the Knicks scored enough to hang on.The Lakers had a narrow lead in the fourth quarter before Jennings went off, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers and threading a slick pass to Courtney Lee for a three-point play to put the Knicks up 97-89 with 6:46 left.Its just trust, Jennings said. I just try to bring as much energy to it as I can.Lou Williams scored 24 points in his latest big game off the bench for the sliding Lakers, who lost their sixth straight despite the return of DAngelo Russell and Nick Young.Luol Deng set season highs with five 3-pointers and 22 points, but Los Angeles (10-16) hasnt won in December.FRESH ROSERose went 12 for 16 after missing two games with a back injury, capping the effort with that cool 10-footer after the Lakers got within four.dddddddddddd The Knicks have won four straight on the road after a 1-6 start away from Madison Square Garden.Ive been trying to catch a rhythm for like a minute, Rose said. Its slowly coming.NO DThe Lakers solid offense cant overcome a defense that was the NBAs fourth-worst before allowing 118 points to the Knicks.Its embarrassing, and its embarrassing because we have too many good defenders and athletic guys on this team to be this bad on the defensive end, forward Julius Randle said. We can be a lot better, and we will be a lot better. Its just frustrating right now.THEYRE BACKRussell and Young returned to boost the Lakers, who had been without their usual starting backcourt since late November. Russell had missed 12 of the Lakers last 13 games with soreness in his left knee, while Young missed seven of the past nine with a strained calf.Russell had three points on 1-of-8 shooting in 18 minutes, with Lakers coach Luke Walton strictly limiting his playing time. Young was right back to his usual swaggering self, scoring 12 points in the first half and finishing with 15 in 20 similarly restricted minutes.Both expect to play Monday in Sacramento.I felt good, Russell said. Definitely out of rhythm, but it was cool.TIP-INSKnicks: They made their second stop on a five-game road trip that began with a narrow win at Sacramento. ... Knicks President Phil Jackson, the longtime Lakers coach, watched the game by New Yorks bench instead of sitting with his fianc?, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.Lakers: They are still without injured reserves Tarik Black and Jose Calderon. ... Los Angeles played its 14th game in 24 days, part of a stretch with 18 games in 30 days and no back-to-back days off before next weekend. The Lakers spend the next two weeks on the road before Christmas.UP NEXTKnicks: At the Suns on Tuesday.Lakers: At the Kings on Monday to open a seven-game road trip. ' ' '