Andy Murray won his first Rome Masters 1000 title and his first trophy of 2016 on his 29th birthday after beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-3 6-3 in 96 minutes at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico. The Dunblane star clinched the third title of his career on clay after winning tow back-to-back tournaments in Munich and Madrid in 2015. Murray has become the first British player to win in Rome since 1931. For the 2012 Olympic champion the Rome’s win is the perfect preparation and a huge confidence-booster for the Roland Garros which starts next week.
Murray broke three times (one in the first set and two in the second) and saved three break points in the second set. Murray won 82 percent of his first serve points. Murray scored his first win on clay in five attempts against Djokovic. Thanks to this win Murray will return to the second spot in the ATP Ranking.
Murray and Djokovic played for the eighth time in a Masters 1000 Final. They met for the second consecutive week just seven days after Djokovic lifted the Madrid Mutua Open title after a three-set battle extending his winning streak against his British rival to four consecutive matches and 12 of their last 13 matches.
Djokovic came into the final after winning two gruelling matches against Rafa Nadal in the quarter final and Kei Nishikori in the semifinal. Murray had a much easier path to the final, as he needed just 59 minutes to beat young French lucky-loser Lucas Pouille.
In the second game of the opening set Murray earned an early break point when Djokovic hit his forehand long but failed to convert it. Murray earned two more break points but Djokovic saved them to hold his serve, as Murray missed a backhand on his third chance. Murray held his serve to love in the next game.
Murray got the only break of the first set by converting his fourth chance in the fourth game with a forehand to take a 3-1 lead. Murray won 16 of his first 19 service points pulling away to a 5-2 lead with an ace. Murray closed out the first set with a forehand drop shot winner after 46 minutes. Murray hit 11 winners, including five off his forehand and did not face any break points in the first set.
Murray rallied from a break point down to hold his serve in the second game of the second set. The 2013 Wimbledon champion from Dunblane fended off two more break points in his next service game.
Murray earned a break point at 2-2 30-40 by striking his forehand deep to Djokovic’s backhand and got the break to 30 with a forehand volley to take a 3-2 lead.
Djokovic double faulted as he was serving to stay in the match to give Murray two match points. Murray hit a backhand winner into the open court to break serve to 15 sealing his first win in Rome. Murray scored his 10th win in 34 head-to-head matches against Djokovic.
“I would like to congratulate Novak and his team on another great week. He was fighting right to the end today. I came off a hard final in Madrid against Djokovic. He had two tough matches against Nadal and Nishikori and I think this made the difference. I dedicate this title to my parents and my wife who are in Rome with me. I will return to London tomorrow and take a short rest to be ready for the Roland Garros”, said Murray.
“Well done Andy, great job Andy. You are just tood good”, said Djokovic in the post-match award ceremony.
