Murray sets up Djokovic clash with stunning Shapovalov win

Andy Murray outlasted Denis Shapovalov in a three-set thriller to set up a Madrid Open last-16 meeting with world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Murray produced a stunning first-set display before Shapovalov fought hard to level the match, but the two-time champion was not to be denied his first victory over a top 20 player this year, ultimately sealing a 6-1 3-6 6-2 win in two hours and nine minutes.

The victory sets up a first ATP Tour meeting since 2017 between Murray and long-time rival Djokovic, who earlier advanced to the last 16 with a straight sets win over Gael Monfils.

Murray admitted after the match that he was inspired by the prospect of a 37th career meeting with fellow 34-year-old Djokovic.

"I thought about it a little bit at the beginning of the third set," Murray told Prime Video. "I didn't know if I was going to get the chance to play matches like that again.

"In theory I shouldn't have a chance in the match, but I've put myself in a great position. I worked extremely hard in the last five or six weeks to get myself here and it's a fantastic opportunity to play against him again on a huge court in a big tournament."

The Scot, who marked his return to clay for the first time in two years with a straight-sets win against Dominic Thiem in the first round, proved too strong for Shapovalov in the deciding set.

Murray raced into an early lead, breaking Shapovalov's serve twice on his way to taking the opening set in 36 minutes.

The British number three, behind Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans in the domestic rankings, heaped more pressure on Shapovalov's serve in the fifth game of the second set.

But Murray squandered two break points and was broken for the first time in the match in the next game to trail 5-2 before