Rogers Cup, Montreal

Men’s Final: [CR1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [CR3] Andy Murray (GBR)

This was their fifth meeting this year and the previous four had all ended in favor of Djokovic. Therefore, it was expected that this match would also go his way today. A battle was anticipated based on their last encounter and the fans were not disappointed. Murray won the first set with some brilliant tennis. He had the momentum with a break in the second; however, never count Djokovic out. Despite his ailing right arm/wrist, he broke back and then broke again to take the second set. Djokovic believed that he could turn things around. Murray lost the second set despite being up a break and his confidence took a hit. Yet, Murray was not deterred. He was convinced that he could beat Djokovic and was confident that he had the game to do it.

He took the early lead again in the third set. This time he was determined to hold on to victory and end his string of losses to Djokovic. He was tested and holding his serve in that extremely long fifth game may have been the moment when Murray really believed that he would defeat Djokovic today. Did Djokovic’s questionable injury contribute to his loss? I am convinced that the discomfort and the distraction caused by the issue with his arm did negatively impact his focus and ultimately his game. He fought as only Djokovic is capable of fighting and Murray still had to win this match with some clutch serving and quality tennis. The level of tennis was extremely high from both players and it was very difficult to predict the winner right up to the last point of this three-hour battle. In the end, it took Murray five match points to win the Championship. His 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 defeat of Djokovic earned him his eleventh ATP Masters 1000 title and the number two ranking on the ATP World Tour.