Displaying admirable sangfroid in hard conditions that saw intermittent rain and Djokovic barely able to control his temper, Murray was nearly Zen-like as he fought off an early second set revival from the world No 1.
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The American swept past 21-year-old compatriot Madison Keys 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to claim her fourth Italian Open victory on Sunday, her first title of the season and 70th of her career.
After Roger Federer fell in the third round, Murray was already assured of jumping one place up to number two in the ATP rankings when they are announced on Monday, albeit well behind runaway leader Djokovic.
“The last thing I looked at today before I went on the court was a picture of my daughter”, said Murray.
Murray’s serve was the bedrock of his win, and he hit his forehand with enormous power to run Djokovic to all corners of the court and seized his opportunities when they came. I saved the break points well and held strong.
There were brief interruptions for rain on a dank, wet day but after Begu, ranked 35, had extended Williams in the opening set, the 34-year-old dismissed her challenge mercilessly in the second.
Murray avenged last week’s championship-match loss to Djokovic at the Madrid Open. Obviously he comes in with two titles [this season] but Djokovic comes in with pressure because he needs to win the French Open to become one of the greatest of all time. “And today I was there mentally, fighting for every point, hitting good shots”.
It means Djokovic will meet Britain’s Andy Murray, the second seed, in a second successive Masters final on Sunday a week after beating the Scot in Madrid. Murray awaits the victor of the second semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori.
Frenchman Lucas Pouille’s surprise run to the last four in Rome has proved enough for him to climb up to 31st and he will now be seeded for his home Grand Slam tournament. “That’s what you want”.
Murray, who was celebrating his 29 birthday on 15 May, put in a masterclass performance on his least favourite surface, becoming the first British man to win the Rome Masters title since 1931. “Last year I was winning a lot of matches at this time of the year, but I do think I’m playing better tennis this year”.
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Andy Murray and Serena Williams have won their respective singles titles at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome.
