Djokovic sets up Nadal final after Murray epic****

ROME, May 15 (AFP): Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten start to 2011 with an epic three-hour 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (72) victory over fourth seed Andy Murray in the Rome Masters semi-finals Saturday. The world number two took his run to 36 straight wins this year and will face world number one Rafael Nadal, who beat Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-1, in Sunday's final in a repeat of last week's Madrid Masters title match which Djokovic won. Djokovic, struggling with a leg problem, demonstrated just why he has proved so hard to beat with a never-say-die attitude even when Murray was just two points from victory, serving at 5-4 in the decider. But the Serb admitted he faces a race against time to be fit to play Nadal. "I'll do what I can, I have a team of people who will do their utmost to get me ready, there's not much time but we'll see how I play," he said. "The important thing will be whether I'm fit or not, that will play an important role so we'll see how fit I am (Sunday)." Murray, who turns 24 Sunday, said: "I played my best tennis against the best player in the world at the moment." "It's always very physical against Novak because he moves well. I had chances to win and probably should have done."