Murray Beats Djokovic For First Masters Tennis Title

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) — Andy Murray lifted his first career Masters title, defeating Novak Djokovic for the second time in as many weeks to claim a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) win at the Cincinnati event.

The Scot, who now rises to a career-best sixth in the world, had to work for the victory as Djokovic mounted a closing surge.

Murray eventually won in the second tiebreaker after two hours, 22 minutes on Sunday.

He notched his second victory over the world number three after losing his first four meetings until last week's Toronto quarter-final success.

The Scot clocked the first British success at a Masters event since Tim Henman won Paris Bercy five years ago. Henman also lost the Cincinnati final eight years ago to Swede Thomas Enqvist.

Murray travels to the Beijing Olympics with a renewed conviction in his game.

"I'm taking a lot of confidence from this win, you expect to get that after winning your first big tournament," said Murray, now with three trophies this season.

Djokovic saved four match points late in the second set as Murray served for victory leading a set and 5-3 after breaking the Serb.

But after his mis-fires, Murray found himself down a break point, which Djokovic converted after five deuces to climb to 4-5.

The Serb who had beaten Rafael Nadal with a sterling performance the night before, was unable to come good against the determined Murray.

"It's different when you play against an opponent who plays a similar game with you," Djokovic said. "He was making me do a lot unforced errors.

"He was playing a lot of slice and changing pace to my forehand. I just lost the rhythm today.

"I had a great match last night, I played rocket tennis, but that was not possible against Andy today. We've known each other since we were 13 or 14.

"We used to watch these kind of matches on television and now we are playing them."

Murray said that playing all week in the heat was crucial to his chances on a another sunny afternoon.

"It was really hot but I've played all of my matches in these conditions," said Murray, 35-12 this season. "But by the end we were both tired, it was really getting to us."

Djokovic was unable to make an impression in the end after striking 46 unforced errors.

Murray was third Briton to reach the final at Cincinnati after Henman and Mark Cox in 1977.

"I really struggled against him in the past," Murray said of Djokovic. "I had to change something.

"I played a bit more aggressive and served a little bit smarter than I had in the past, and obviously it worked.

"It's huge to win your first sort of major tournament, and to do it in a match like today makes it more special."

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