Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Indian Wells semi-final

World number one Novak Djokovic advanced to his second-straight Indian Wells final with a 6-2, 6-3 demolition of fourth seeded Andy Murray at the Indian Wells ATP Masters on Saturday

The defending champion is trying to become the first player to win consecutive titles in the California desert since Roger Federer claimed three straight, beginning in 2004.

"I just played solid with the right intensity from the beginning," said Djokovic. "We have similar styles. Even though it was straight sets I had to earn it."

Djokovic will face world No. 2 Federer, who defeated Canada`s Milos Raonic 7-5, 6-4.

On Sunday, Djokovic will be trying to match Federer`s record of four Indian Wells titles as Federer attempts to take his tally to five.

The Serb star clinched the one hour, 28 minute match on the Tennis Garden stadium court when Murray hit a backhand into the net.

Djokovic hit one ace, hammered 27 winners and broke Murray`s serve four times.

Scotland`s Murray made 29 unforced errors and had four double faults.

"I expected a battle with Andy but he wasn`t on the high quality he usually is," Djokovic said. "He made a lot of unforced errors today."

Saturday`s contest was a re-match of this year`s Australian Open final which Djokovic won in four sets.

Djokovic said he had to change his pre-match routine for this one because it was his first day match in so long.

For that reason he said he was a bit concerned going into a match against a top five player on a fast hardcourt surface in the hot southern California sun.

"This was my first day match the entire year and 90 percent of my matches are played at night," he said. "But I thought I handled the conditions well."

Djokovic extended his match win streak over Murray to six straight and has won 17 of 25 career contests between the two.

Murray saved three match points but he was unable to break Djokovic`s serve and get on any kind of win streak.

Murray said he got off to a slow start and then couldn`t get his serve up and running.

"I wasn`t feeling sluggish," he said. "He didn`t make many errors. I didn`t serve so well today compared to how I served in the rest of the tournament.

"That makes things difficult against the best players. Novak didn`t give me any free points at the beginning of either set."