MONTREAL, (Reuters) – Andy Murray recorded his first win over Novak Djokovic in more than two years on Sunday, beating the world number one 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the final of the Rogers Cup.
Murray snapped an eight-match losing streak to Djokovic with his first win over the Serb since the 2013 Wimbledon final, then dedicated the victory to his coach Amelie Mauresmo, who gave birth to a baby boy earlier in the day.
“I’m not sure she will have stayed up to watch this one but, Amelie, this one’s for you,” Murray said.
The Scotsman climbed a spot to number two in the world rankings after capturing his fourth title of the year in a major boost to his confidence ahead of the U.S. Open, starting in New York at the end of the month.
Djokovic suffered just his fourth loss this year and his first in a Masters Series finals since falling to Roger Federer in Cincinnati in 2012.
“Andy is deservedly a winner today on the court,” Djokovic said.
“I thought what made the difference was his serve and my serve. I didn’t serve well the first set and a half. But not taking anything away from him, from his victory. He deserved it. He stepped in, played some great shots. Most of all the moments when he needed to, he served very, very well.”
Murray got the decisive break in the second game of the final set but had to survive an 18-minute service game to consolidate his lead in the fifth game before claiming his third title on the Canadian hardcourts, and first since 2010.
“We’ve played many matches like that, especially in grand slams,” Murray said. “If this was the U.S. Open, we’d have to play another couple of sets like that, which isn’t easy.