Just as he did at the Australian Open three months ago, Novak Djokovic recorded a 6-0 set to see off Andy Murray in a final.
This time, it was the Miami Open as the world No.1 recovered from a second-set resurgence from Murray to win 7-6(3) 4-6 6-0.
While Murray, who later admitted to struggling physically in the Miami humidity, headed into the match trailing 17-8 in the head-to-head stats, it was 5-5 when the pair had met in finals. And the British No.1 seemed keen to get off to a quick start and wrestle back the title he won in 2013, earning his first break point in the opening game but wasting it with a forehand into the net.
However, another opportunity came along on Djokovic's next service game and this time Murray moved up a gear, forcing his opponent out wide before finishing him off with an overhead smash. The advantage was wiped out immediately, though, with Murray firing long to gift the world number one a break back.
The Briton refused to give in and his persistence, helped by some well-struck balls, paid off in the seventh game when an error from Djokovic once more put Murray a break up.
Yet again he was unable to defend his advantage as Djokovic snatched the break back, and the pair continued to slog it out to eventually usher in the tie-break.
This time Murray's game let him down badly, as two poor forehands and a pair of sloppy shots into the net allowed Djokovic to wrap up the set with remarkable ease.
It had taken well over an hour to decide the opener and it was no surprise energy levels dropped in the second as the heat began to take its toll.
Murray nevertheless found something in reserve to fight off two break points in the third game before squandering one of his own on Djokovic's serve as the set threatened to reach an impasse.
Frustration crept in for both players at times as they fought to gain the upper hand but there was still plenty to keep the crowd entertained despite the obvious fatigue on court.
And it was Murray who seized the chance as the match passed the two-hour mark.
With Djokovic serving to stay in the set, two errors from the Serbian followed by a lovely forehand down the line from his opponent set the world number four up with three set points. And Murray hammered home his advantage with a fierce backhand return to take the match into a final set.
It looked like Murray held the edge but his momentum quickly went at the start of the third, with Djokovic breaking twice to drain the last dregs of energy from his opponent.
It proved a disappointing climax to an enthralling match, with Murray broken again before Djokovic served out successfully for his fifth Miami title.
"It's been a fantastic start to the year for Novak, winning in Australia, Indian Wells and here," Murray, who is determined to find the answers to end his Djokovic hoodoo, said in his post-match speech. "But it's been good progress for me too and, while I'm not quite there alongside Novak yet, I'm getting closer. I just need to keep working hard and it will come. Sorry to the fans that I couldn't put up more of a fight in the third set but my legs just seemed to go."
Djokovic added: "It was a great battle - it's always fun to play Andy."
Murray will move up to world No.3 when the rankings are updated on Monday.