Tennis: Murray clinches Shanghai Masters
Briton seals third successive title, replaces Federer as world number three.
SHANGHAI:
Andy Murray sealed his third straight title, which guaranteed that for the first time he will leapfrog Roger Federer to number three in the world rankings after a 7-5, 6-4 win over David Ferrer in Shanghai.
The defending champion was tested by the Spaniard but ultimately was too good for the world number five, wrapping up his eighth Masters title in one hour and 45 minutes.
The first game of the match lasted nearly 10 minutes with a succession of lengthy baseline rallies before Murray broke to seize an early advantage. However, the lead didn’t last long as Ferrer broke back in the second game to bring the score level again.
The rest of the first set went with serve until the Spaniard double-faulted in the 11th game to give Murray another break and a 6-5 lead with the Briton going on to seal the set with an ace.
The second set followed the same pattern at the start, with Murray grabbing the early break only for Ferrer to pull level at 1-1.
But a horrendous missed overhead from Ferrer handed the Briton two break points in the following game and he made no mistake, hoisting a lob from behind the baseline to win the game before going on to seal the match.
Murray delighted by hot streak
Murray expressed delight at his superb run of form after the match.
“It’s been one of the best runs of my life,” said the Briton. “I’ve played very well the last few weeks and I was very nervous today because I wanted to win and defend my title. I’m happy I managed to come through.”
Ferrer admitted Murray was the superior contestant in the title clash.
“It was impossible to beat Andy,” he said. “Here in Shanghai I’ve had the best moments of my career. I reached the final in 2007 and again this year. I hope to win it next year. Shanghai is my second home.”
Murray’s successful defence of his crown means that Federer will slip to number four in the rankings — his lowest in more than eight years.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.
Andy Murray sealed his third straight title, which guaranteed that for the first time he will leapfrog Roger Federer to number three in the world rankings after a 7-5, 6-4 win over David Ferrer in Shanghai.
The defending champion was tested by the Spaniard but ultimately was too good for the world number five, wrapping up his eighth Masters title in one hour and 45 minutes.
The first game of the match lasted nearly 10 minutes with a succession of lengthy baseline rallies before Murray broke to seize an early advantage. However, the lead didn’t last long as Ferrer broke back in the second game to bring the score level again.
The rest of the first set went with serve until the Spaniard double-faulted in the 11th game to give Murray another break and a 6-5 lead with the Briton going on to seal the set with an ace.
The second set followed the same pattern at the start, with Murray grabbing the early break only for Ferrer to pull level at 1-1.
But a horrendous missed overhead from Ferrer handed the Briton two break points in the following game and he made no mistake, hoisting a lob from behind the baseline to win the game before going on to seal the match.
Murray delighted by hot streak
Murray expressed delight at his superb run of form after the match.
“It’s been one of the best runs of my life,” said the Briton. “I’ve played very well the last few weeks and I was very nervous today because I wanted to win and defend my title. I’m happy I managed to come through.”
Ferrer admitted Murray was the superior contestant in the title clash.
“It was impossible to beat Andy,” he said. “Here in Shanghai I’ve had the best moments of my career. I reached the final in 2007 and again this year. I hope to win it next year. Shanghai is my second home.”
Murray’s successful defence of his crown means that Federer will slip to number four in the rankings — his lowest in more than eight years.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.