By Chris Oddo | Sunday May 15, 2016
Turning 29 turned out to be a blast for Andy Murray. The Scot scored a rousing straight-sets victory over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Internazionali BNL d'Italia final and introduced himself as a bona fide Roland Garros contender on a drizzly Sunday at the Foro Italico.
More: Serena Williams Wins Fourth Rome Title
Murray’s 6-3, 6-3 triumph is his first win over Djokovic on clay and it marks his second win in fourteen tries against the World No. 1.
"I'm very proud to have my name on the trophy," Murray said after the match. "Today against Novak is nice. I know, you know, he didn't play his best today. But, you know, still some tough moments for me in the second set. I saved the break points well and held strong. And, yeah, overall it was a great week for me. I didn't lose a set."
After dropping a three-set final to the Serb in Madrid last week Murray flipped the script on Sunday by attacking courageously and making the most of his opportunities. There proved to be quite a few of them, as Djokovic struggled with the wet court conditions, his growing anxieties and his form on this chilly afternoon in the Eternal City.
Murray broke in the fourth game of the opener as a frustrated Djokovic bounced his racquet into the clay and watched it bounce up and land in the first row of seats behind the baseline. Djokovic picked up a warning from umpire Damian Steiner but the incident did little to ease the world No. 1’s tension.
"Well, look, it happens," Djokovic told reporters after the match. "These kind of matches are important for, you know, for both players. There is a lot at stake. Obviously when you get to play a rival, and of course you want to win, sometimes you get too emotional."
Meanwhile, Murray marched on with equanimity, striking efficiently from the baseline, and he finished off the opener without facing a break point.
Murray quickly erased three break points in his first two service games of the second set and then broke for 3-2 behind a booming backhand return that allowed him to approach the net and close with a crisp volley.
There would be no fightback from Djokovic. Frustrated with the slippery court, he pleaded with the umpire for a delay after the seventh game, but he was made to continue.
"I didn't ask to postpone the match," Djokovic said afterwards. "I asked to have a little break where, you know, we would give a little more time, maybe five more minutes, to people to arrange the court. The chair umpire knew that the forecast is good. There is not going to be any rain. I didn't see any reason why we couldn't stop the game for a little bit until we get the court in a proper condition to play."
Murray stormed through the final two games, breaking for the championship on a brilliant running backhand that was struck from several meters wide of the tram line.
It was a fitting end to a match that was played with high energy and a healthy amount of reckless abandon from Murray. The Birthday boy exchanged pleasantries with Djokovic at the net before raising the trophy aloft.
Murray wins his first Rome title, first of 2016, and his 36th overall.
Djokovic was bidding for his record 30th Masters 1000 title and to become the first ATP player to reach the $100 Million mark in prize money.
More to follow…