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 Dominant world number one Djokovic, twice a champion in Shanghai,
eased to a 6-2 6-3 victory to stay on track for a ninth title of the
year having picked up his eighth last week in Beijing where he
dropped only 18 games in five matches.
Murray, playing his first tournament since helping Britain into the
Davis Cup final last month, had to produce some of his best tennis
in the face 22 Isner aces.
The 28-year-old world number two finally preserved his perfect
record against the American, winning 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4.
Murray managed a crucial break of serve at 5-4 in the second set and
broke a tiring opponent in the seventh game of the final set on his
way to victory.
"His serve is tough to read, obviously," Murray told the ATP
website. "He has a great serve. It's hard to return in perfect
conditions.
"So when the ball's coming in and out of the shade, and his ball
toss, as well, it's difficult. When the sun went away, the court was
in the shade, I found it easier to see the serve.
"I created a lot of chances in the second and third sets."
While Djokovic is beyond his reach in the rankings this year, Murray
believes he can have a tilt at top spot next year.
"Obviously this year I have a good chance to finish at number two,
which would be the first time for me," he said.
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"This year, although I'm a long way behind Novak in the rankings, a
few matches can change that significantly. Grand slam semi-finals
and finals, they're the matches that are for big, big points.
"That's something, if I want to get to number one in the world, I
need to win a couple more of them. So hopefully next year I'll be
able to do that."
Japan's Kei Nishikori, the sixth seed, was beaten 7-6(10) 7-6(3) by
South Africa's Kevin Anderson who still has his eye on a place in
the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Anderson will face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next after he beat
Roger Federer's Spanish conqueror Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-7(5) 7-5
6-4.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Martyn Herman)
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