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Rogers Cup Men's Masters 2010 Final, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
August 15, 2010
Editorial by Jane Voigt.
Jane Voigt |
Murray Wins Second Rogers Cup
August 15, 2010 -- Without a coach by his side, only a team of pals and his mother Judy, Andy Murray won his second consecutive Rogers Cup, defeating Roger Federer in their 12th hard-court competition.
The match, which was delayed three times by rain, was as a wiggy affair with multiple breaks of serve from both players. Murray, however, came out on top when it mattered, breaking Federer at a crucial juncture, 5-all, in both sets to win the title 7/5 7/5.
"Winning a tournament is the pleasing thing, and then didn't drop a set against either Rafa or Roger," Murray said. "It's the first time I beat them both in a tournament."
Federer wanted to come out strong and keep the pressure on. He'd won the first sets of all his matches this week and was pleased with his strategy.
"You have to just make it as hard as possible for the opponent to beat you," Federer said. "You want to come out and get a good start. If I do that, I have my chances."
But Murray didn't dawdle at a bus stop as the first set got underway; rather he was seated on the express.
His first return of serve sizzled. Fans gasped. He attempted a drop shot, which Federer handled. But the groundwork had been laid. Federer was in trouble at 15/40. Murray smacked a down-the-line backhand win, declaring his intent to defend his title.
In less than ten minutes Murray was up two breaks of serve. It was 3/0. Federer's plan for a quick start had evaporated like rain after a tropical downpour.
Before the end of the first set, Murray broke Roger three times. There was something amiss on Centre Court.
A couple shots pointed toward nerves. Federer had approached down the line with an inadequate slice backhand, which Murray put away. Then the Scot tried a couple drop shots, which were oddly amateurish.
After Federer donated the game that put them back on serve, Murray wasted no time and closed the set 7-5.
Thunderstorms had been circling the Rexall Centre all day, the air fat with humidity. Environment Canada predicted showers, a short clearing, and a deluge followed by pleasant weather into the evening.
The players were off and on the court three times, at the start of set two. One delay had to have been the shortest in any final's history.
The holdup favored Murray. He'd played earlier yesterday and won in straight sets. Federer had a tough three-set scramble in the evening. It's hard to think that Federer is old at 29. However, twelve years of tour tennis has to have taken a toll from the man now frequently referred to as the Greatest Player of All Time.
And... Andy Murray is 23. Recovery at that age is somewhat a walk in the park.
"The rain delays completely shut it down for me to get any kind of rhythm," Federer said. "It was just a really hard match to go through at the very end. It was played on a couple points here and there."
Federer, though, had been in this position many times. He has played approximately 735 matches throughout his career, which began in 1998. Federer's ambition and passion to win finals never takes a holiday.
Yet Murray's pre-final statement sounded ominous.
"Well, I've beaten six times and lost five of the tour," Murray said. "I feel confident if I play well that I can win against him. I'm just going to have to take my chances, play aggressive and not let him dictate the points.
Skies turned bright blue to welcome the players back after the very final rain delay.
Murray cracked a serve. The score stood at 3/2, 30-all. He was up a break. But Federer halted the Murray express, evening the set. Score 3-all.
But at 5-all, the mighty Federer dug the deadliest and potentially deepest hole of the day. He went down love-forty then bounced back to 30/40 with extremely aggressive forehands. Then at 5/6 Federer gained an ad point, threatening to throw the set into a tiebreak. But Murray slammed two aces and didn't look back, winning the set 7/5.
"I think adrenaline does help in those situations," Murray began. "I managed to come up on the breakpoint with a big serve. Actually, I think the deuce point is the fastest serve I've ever hit. It was 225."
Murray goes to Cincinnati, which begins tomorrow in Mason, Ohio, as the heavy favorite. Ironically, Federer is the defending champion there.
"It didn't feel like the end of the match, you know," Federer said. "Just all of a sudden it was all over. So it was just kind of a touch disappointing, obviously."
Federer complimented Murray, saying, "He was aggressive. He was taking the ball early. He wasn't giving me much, and he clutch-served at the very end when he had to. He deserved the victory."
Americans Mike and Bob Bryan won the doubles titles at Rogers Cup, after the singles final. They defeated the French team of Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau with a score of 75 63. The Bryans arrive on home soil as the favorites in Cincinnati.
[4] Andy Murray (GBR) {white shirt} d [3] Roger Federer (SUI) 75 75
Earlier Coverage from this Event:
August 14, 2010 Rogers Cup Toronto Masters: The Crowds Have It - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic
August 13, 2010 Rogers Cup Toronto Masters: Four for Four - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Philipp Kohlschreiber, David Nalbandian
August 12, 2010 Rogers Cup Toronto Masters: Moving Into The Quarterfinals - Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Novak Djokovic, Victor Hanescu
August 11, 2010 Rogers Cup Toronto Masters: Talent Everywhere
August 10, 2010 Rogers Cup Toronto Masters: Pressure From the Top
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