Andy Murray suffered final heartbreak at the hands of Novak Djokovic as he was beaten in straight sets at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Sunday. The world No1 put pressure on Murray's serve throughout to win his first title of the year since the Australian Open, 6-1, 7-6.

Murray was on the defensive from the start, losing back-to-back service games to concede the first set, before relying on his defiance to remain in the contest. The Scot came back to force a second-set tie-break, despite being taken to deuce in four of his six service games, but Djokovic had enough answers to secure a successful title defence and reassert his dominance over his long-standing rival. He took the tie-break 7-4.

Murray conceded he had lost to the better player in stifling hot conditions in Miami. "In the first set Novak served and returned really well. They were really tough conditions and long points," he said. "It was a pretty long match. Congrats to Novak. He played the best tennis all week."

Djokovic admitted Murray's battling qualities had worried him during the second set. "Andy was very close to winning the second set. The match could have gone either way," said the Serb, who did not drop a set throughout the tournament. "I had opportunities to break in the second set and close out the match quicker but then he might have won it later on.

"I thought I played really well from beginning to end. There were a lot of long rallies and they were tough conditions. But with such a quality player you really never know, that's why he's right at the top.

"He always comes back even if you feel you have control of the match, so I am really happy to close it out in straight sets."

Both players will now focus on the clay-court season, with Djokovic due to next play in Monte Carlo, and he added: "I'm looking forward to a great clay-court season which will hopefully be highlighted by a French Open title."

Djokovic beat Murray in a marathon five-set semi-final at Melbourne Park in the Australian Open but the Scot won their most recent meeting in Dubai last month to give him hope that he might be catching up with the world's best player.

Murray had also enjoyed a comfortable week in the Miami sun after he was handed two byes en route to the final, most notably when Rafael Nadal pulled out of their semi-final before they walked on to court. That may have left Murray slight rusty, however, as Djokovic took control in a dominant opening set.

Murray held his opening service game but he was ineffective thereafter as Djokovic produced the type of precise power hitting that has elevated him to the top of the rankings. The Serb broke Murray's next two service games before comfortably serving out the first set in 47 minutes. It was reminiscent of his semi-final against Juan Monaco, when Djokovic dropped only eight first-set points, before he allowed his opponent back into the match. Murray had to battle to keep alive the hope that Djokovic might do the same again as he somehow held on to his opening three service games after being taken to deuce on each occasion.

At 5-5 he was again taken to deuce where, controversially, the Scot seemed to raise his arm and call for a line review but, after the chair umpire failed to spot it, he went on to win the point and the game.

Murray, who managed only one break point all match, then took Djokovic to deuce but he could not force the chance to avoid the tie-break. Djokovic surged ahead to build momentum early in the tie-break and, when Murray mishit a forehand long he could celebrate a third title at Crandon Park. Agencies