Murray Beats Djokovic, Bencic Downs Halep for Rogers Cup Titles

Andy Murray snapped an eight-match losing streak to world number one Novak Djokovic on Sunday, beating the Serb 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Rogers Cup title in Montreal.

“To win this one was nice, especially the way the match went as well,” said Murray. “It would have been easy for me to let that one slip away. But I fought well and stayed calm in the important moments of the third set. I think I did come up and play aggressively when I needed to. Especially in the third set when I was breakpoints down, I finished a couple of points at the net, got some free points on m first serve, as well. I would say the margins were so fine … I felt like I played as aggressively as I could today and that helped.”

Murray raced out a 4-1 advantage in the opening set, only to see Djokovic get both breaks back to even things at 4-4. But the Scot stopped it there, saving a break point to go up 5-4, and then breaking Djokovic to take first set.

In the second set, Djokovic opened up by winning the first eight points to take a commanding 2-0 lead. But as was the theme of this match, Murray responded right back, snatching back the break and evening up the frame at 3-3.

Djokovic responded with a break of his own to bring it to 4-3, and this time would not relinquish the advantage, winning the second set to force a deciding third set.

One more momentum swing would be enough in this one. Murray broke in the second game of the third set and consolidated it with a hold to open up a 3-0 cushion. Djokovic tried to get the break back, but Murray saved six break points in a 15-minute, 10-duece game to secure the hold.

It was all he needed, eventually closing out the decider 6-4 to win his third career Rogers Cup title.

“Andy is deservedly a winner today on the court,” said Djokovic. “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.”

Top-seeds Bob & Mike Bryan won their 35th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on Sunday, defeating Daniel Nestor and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6(5), 3-6, 10-6 to win the Rogers Cup title.

“We love to do what we do. But it’s even more special when you look up and see a lot of people in the seats. It’s a credit to the great Montreal fans,” said Mike Bryan. “Maybe they’re out there to see Nestor. May some people were out to see us. It definitely makes for a more exciting atmosphere, more intense. Those are the moments you play for, big Masters Series finals, coming out to a packed stadium.”

The title is the 109th overall for the Bryans. 

Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic fought off hot weather and a defiant Simona Halep to win the Rogers Cup final in Toronto 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 3-0 on Sunday.

Bencic was leading 7-6, 5-3 and serving for the match late in the second set, but Halep didn’t give in. She broke Bencic to get the break back and forced the set into a tie-breaker, winning that to force a deciding third set.

But the heat would get to Halep who, after falling down 0-3, retired due to illness.

“I don’t think I’m so good at speeches yet,” Bencic said to the crowd. “But first I want to congratulate Simona on a great week, and my mom, my dad and my team. And my fitness coach—I really needed my fitness today. And also Melanie Molitor, my coach—a big thank you to you too.

And of course a big thank you to all the crowd. You were amazing in every match this week. It’s just been such a special tournament, and I’ll never forget it—I can’t wait to come back next year.”

Bencic knocked out some big opponents on her way to the championship. Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki, Ana Ivanovic, and the biggest one of all, Serena Williams in the semifinals on Saturday night.

She is the first teenager to win a Premier 5 level or higher tournament since Victoria Azarenka won Miami back in 2009.