Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Murray 6-3, 7-6 (2) in exhibition at Madison Square Garden

John, left, and Patrick McEnroe shake hands with Bob, second from left, and Mike Bryan after the Bryans won 8-3 in the BNP Paribas Showdown Tennis Tournament on Monday, March 3, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (The Associated Press)

John, left, and Patrick McEnroe confer during their match against Mike and Bob Bryan in the BNP Paribas Showdown Tennis Tournament on Monday, March 3, 2014, in New York. The Bryans won 8-3. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 6-3, 7-6 (2) in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

The friends and rivals mixed the usual exhibition hijinks with some long rallies reminiscent of their epic Grand Slam matchups.

Murray said Monday morning that last week in Acapulco was the first time since his September surgery that his back wasn't bothering him after matches. He missed four months after the minor procedure to alleviate nagging pain.

The doubleheader at the Garden opened with the Bryan Brothers beating the McEnroe brothers 8-3 in doubles.