Murray beats Djokovic to claim Cincy title

CINCINNATI (TICKER) —Andy Murray won his first career Masters Series title Sunday with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) victory over Noval Djokovic at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.

On a sweltering day where temperatures on the hardcourt hovered around the 100-degree mark, the 21-year-old Murray refused to wilt in the heat as the Scot picked up perhaps the biggest win of his career and sixth career title.

It also marked the second straight victory for Murray over the world’s third-ranked player after he defeated Djokovic last week in the quarterfinals of the Masters Series event in Toronto.

“At the end of the match, there were some long, long volleys that took a toll on both of us,” Murray said. “Both of us were really tired.”

Murray, whose mental game sometimes eludes him in pressure situations, also showed some resolve in what could have been a dicey situation in the second set.

“I got very nervous and he was hitting the ball really big but I hung in well,” Murray said. “It was tough for both of us and there were a lot of long rallies. Your legs really burn out there and they were some of the hardest conditions of the year.

“But I stayed calm throughout and didn’t waste any energy - especially when I went behind in a couple of matches. In the past maybe I’d have let that get to me but now I’m playing top players on a regular basis and I’m better equipped.”

After his second break of the match gave him a 5-4 lead, Murray was unable to convert four championship points against the silky Serbian, who showed his own toughness.

Both player then held serve, giving the fans in attendance a treat of a second tiebreak.

There was plenty of scintillating tennis in the tiebreak, with the best point coming when Murray won a long rally by rifling a backhander down the line for a 5-4 lead.

Perhaps a bit worn from losing the long rally, Djokovic endured his sixth double-fault, giving Murray his fifth championship point. Again, Djokovic showed fight as he kept alive his flickering hopes.

But Murray finally was able to bring down the curtain, using a big first serve to put Djokovic on the defensive before firing a backhander down the line, giving him the glory that eluded him in the past.

Murray, who had 16 winners and 43 unforced errors, pocketed the $420,000 first prize.

Bidding for his fourth title of the year, Djokovic entered the title match fresh off a straight-sets thrashing of soon-to-be world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.

Djokovic never was able to discover that dominant form against the improving Murray, as he committed 54 unforced errors in the match that lasted just over two hours. He was especially sloppy in the opening set, when he endured 31 of his miscues.

“Well done to Andy. It is his first Masters Series but I am sure there are going to be a lot more,” Djokovic said.