The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Murray retains Toronto Masters title

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Tuesday, Aug 17, 2010
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Murray retains Toronto Masters title

TORONTO: Scotsman Andy Murray showed steely nerve to shatter a career finals jinx against Roger Federer, defeating the stylish Swiss 7-5, 7-5 on Sunday to defend his title at the ATP Rogers Cup.

Murray, who remains fourth in the ATP rankings while Federer moves back to second behind Rafael Nadal, had lost to Federer during prior trophy bids in 2005 at Bangkok, the 2008 U.S. Open and last January's Australian Open final.

The final began slightly late as drops of rain fell as the pair walked out onto court. That was only the start of what turned into an ordeal plagued by a cumulative two hours of interruptions.

They finally got started with Federer immediately going down two breaks, getting one back for 1-3. Murray was unable to close out the set six games later as he served for it leading 5-3.

Instead, he double-faulted on a break point to put the Swiss back in contention at 5-5.

But Federer again lost serve for 5-6, opening the door for Murray to go through 7-5 after nearly an hour.

Light rain began during the fourth game of the second set, Federer holding a 2-1 lead. The interruption sent the pair off court for 55 minutes.

When they re-emerged, Murray won the only two points played before more rain intervened. That break lasted a brief five minutes before the Scot broke for a 3-2 lead.

Moments later following discussions at the umpire's chair, the pair came off yet again as skies opened as forecast, with the rain expected to pass within a few hours.

Play finally resumed and Murray took the victory on his second match point after just over two hours of action.

Clijsters wins

Belgian fourth seed Kim Clijsters saved three match points just before a 74-minute rain break and rallied to beat Russia's Maria Sharapova 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the WTA Cincinnati Open final.

The results:

At Toronto (ATP Rogers Cup): Final: Singles: Andy Murray bt Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5; Doubles: Bob & Mike Bryan bt Julien Benneteau & Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-3.

At Cincinnati (WTA Cincinnati Open): Final: Kim Clijsters bt Maria Sharapova 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters: First round: Marcos Baghdatis bt Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-5 . — Agencies

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