Novak Djokovic lost to Andy Murray in the final of the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Sunday, but that’s not the reason why he’s in the news.
Advertisement
The British No 1 needed five championship points and three hours to see off the Serb in a tense final, snapping an eight-match losing streak against Djokovic in the process as he scooped his 35th career title.
The world number one made sure of a deciding set by breaking back straight away and going on to win the second set 6-4.
But the Dunblane ace raced out of the blocks in the decider to claim the title 6-3.
Murray, who dedicated the win to coach and new mother Amelie Mauresmo, said keeping his aggressive game-plan was key – as he kept his head in the deciding set.
“I don’t know much detail”, said Murray, whose wife, Kim, is due to give birth to their first child in February.
With two weeks to go to the U.S. Open it is a major confidence boost for Murray, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2012. Djokovic had two more break chances with Murray serving for the match, but the tournament’s No. 2 seed delivered an ace to get to match point and then watched a Djokovic forehand sail over the baseline. “I’ll keep working hard and try to get that one spot higher”.
As Murray continued to reign supreme, Djokovic suddenly began to move awkwardly as he complained about his recurring shoulder injury, but he secured his first game of the set to ensure there would be no bagel either way.
“Someone is smoking weed, I can smell it, and I’m getting dizzy”, Djokovic told the umpire, according to the Telegraph.
“But I also have the experience of playing in the finals of the biggest events”. He stepped in, played some great shots.
“Andy is deservedly a victor today on the court”, Djokovic said. I wasn’t able to.
Murray’s title is his third in Canada and first victory over the world No. 1 since beating him in the 2013 Wimbledon final. “Most of all the moments when he needed to, he served very, very well”, he said.
He closed out victory after three hours on his fifth match point as Djokovic battled in typical fashion having been broken early in the deciding set.
Advertisement
‘I need to make sure I recover well from this.
