That was great from Murray, and what resolve: at 15-40 in that final game I thought he had let his slip through his fingers. He deserved it, I think: he played well in the first and the third, and Djokovic, although he showed flashes, probably wasn’t at his best. Great final, though: maybe a prequel of the upcoming US Open final?
Thanks for reading: I appreciate it. Good night.
Updated
What a match. What a finish! Andy Murray snaps his unbeaten record against Djokovic. Well played!
Andy Murray wins the Rogers Cup!
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 3-6 Murray
He deserves this, does Murray: he’s come back brilliantly in this third set. 15-0, but then he misses a straightforward forehand, and it’s 15-15. This is now about mental strength. Murray nets. 15-30. Is it unravelling? And that is absurd: Murray had all the time in the world to put away a forehand smash, and he couldn’t. 15-40. Amazing. Two break points for Djokovic.
Murray saves one, and then produces a quite brilliant serve down the middle. Djokovic’s return is long. Deuce.
And an ace from Murray! What a time to find one. Another championship point! Can he do it this time?
No! What a whipped forehand winner from Djokovic! “Oh come on!” yells Chris Fowler on commentary. Back to deuce!
Next up, Djokovic is long, and it’s a fifth match point. Just end this already! And he does! Murray wins!
Updated
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 3-5 Murray* (*denotes next server)
He’s so close to ending his barren run, Murray, but Djokovic isn’t going to let him have it easy: the Serb moves to 30-15. But then he moves in, chip-and-charge style, and Murray passes him easily. 30-30. And that’s long on a Djokovic second serve! Murray has championship point! Can he do it??
No – because Djokovic’s first serve is awesome, and Murray’s return floats long. Djokovic is long again! Second match point! But now Murray is long. We’re back to deuce.
Beautiful return from Murray: he’s up for this, and he wants to win it now. Third chance. No! Misses the backhand. And then he’s too eager for the forehand! He’s getting tight. Advantage Djokovic. Hold Djokovic. Murray knows: he should have won the match at that visit.
*Djokovic 4-6 6-4 2-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray just needs to get through this game. He’s off to a good start for 15-0, and then Djokovic tries to force a backhand winner, and is wide. Great serve, there: 133mph, and that’s his biggest of the match. 40-0 – and that’s the game. Such an efficient hold. Great tennis.
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 2-4 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic makes his overhead this time. And again! Djokovic isn’t always the most reliable when it comes to the overhead smash, but he made two goodies just there. It’s 40-15, and Murray comes to the net, but Djokovic’s passing shot is too firm. Djokovic hold.
That really was an amazing game. Murray did so well, but I can’t believe Djokovic didn’t break him. Seven chances spurned! The players are having a long, and deserved, break.
*Djokovic 4-6 6-4 1-4 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray really needs to hold here, and he’s up 30-0 after two fine points where he really looked to be in control. He’s long next point, needlessly, but that’s an excellent booming serve, and no negative chirps or impulses, it seems. 40-15. What a service return from Djokovic, though, and another blistering forehand brings it back to deuce. This is tense!
That’s a brilliant flipped backhand from Murray, though, and he has the advantage, but Djokovic scratches it off with a lovely soft drop shot with Murray nowhere. Deuce again!
Long from Murray! That was wild. But a kick serve sets up a down-the-line winner, and we’re at a third deuce. Another bad miss! Djokovic with another break, but his lob is just long. Deuce for a fourth time! This time Murray gets the advantage … but he can’t make it count! Fifth deuce! Phew. This is so nervy.
Double fault Murray! Can you believe it? What a battle this is. Murray refuses to give in, and we’re back at deuce. Ten and a half minutes for the game so far.
Now Murray is in a fight with the umpire about whether or not he bumped into the TV cameraman. That was dumb from Fergus Murphy – Murray barely did anything. Murray gets it back to deuce, but his backhand down the line is long … and Djokovic has a chance to break again!
This is so to and fro. We’re at an eighth deuce. Now a sixth break point for Djokovic! Murray saves again! What happens if this game never ends?
Game point Murray, but he can’t do it. A 10th deuce. This is epic.
Murray wins the game! What a marathon. Eighteen minutes, seven break points survived, and Murray has a 4-1 lead. Phew.
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 1-3 Murray* (*denotes next server)
What a miss! Djokovic moved Murray all around the court, but his overhead was appalling, and into the net. Then he’s long! 0-30, and Murray has a real chance. Djokovic has gone right off the boil.
It’s back at 30-30, though: Murray was a little tentative on that last point. 40-30 after Murray nets, and then Murray is long. Djokovic on the scoreboard.
*Djokovic 4-6 6-4 0-3 Murray (*denotes next server)
The TV pundits are reflecting on Murray’s positive body language. But he floats one long to give Djokovic the impetus, and then Djokovic kicks the ball away angrily after he finds the net. 15-15. And what a get! Djokovic’s crosscourt forehand looked like a certain winner, but Murray picked it up and put it away: so deft and sure. Top-notch, and Djokovic applauds. Now 40-15, after another beautifully constructed point. Murray looks like he’s enjoying this! And that’s the game!
Murray breaks!
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 0-2 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Ooh, that was right on the line from Djokovic, and it’s 15-15 rather than 0-30. Mere inches. But then he tosses in a double fault … ha! And follows it up with an ace. 30-30. The wind has got up, according to Brad Gilbert: gusting up to about 19mph. And now Murray with a break! Can he take it? No! He misses his volley! He has Djokovic scrambling, but just couldn’t execute the backhand volley. Deuce.
Good response, and a second break point … which he takes! Murray is happy!
*Djokovic 4-6 6-4 0-1 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray starts with a double fault, which doesn’t bode well, but produces a slice of magic to drop a volley that Djokovic can’t reach after a 25-ball rally. Great play, but Murray looks beat. “Both players sucking air,” says Darren Cahill. 30-15, but a slice of bad luck for Murray there after his forehand clipped the tape. And that’s unbelievable from Djokovic! A beautiful touch lob, and it’s break point! Saved by Murray. Deuce. And Murray holds! That was so important.
Both players have left the court with their bags for a “gear break”. Back soon.
Djokovic wins the second set!
Djokovic 4-6 6-4 0-0 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Superb touch from Djokovic, and Murray did really well to reach the drop shot, but it’s easily put away, and three set points. Murray saves one with an excellent cross-court backhand winner, but not the next. Djokovic levels. Who’s in charge now?
*Djokovic 4-6 5-4 Murray (*denotes next server)
Wow, that was quick. Murray with a solid hold to love, and he at least makes Djokovic have to serve for this second set.
Here’s Jan with some great analysis: “An interesting stat for you. Nine previous Murray-Djokovic matches have gone to one set all. The record in those? Djokovic leads 9-0! This includes best of three and best of five matches. It is 5-0 in three setters. And even 4-0 in five setters, despite the theoretical chance of coming back from two sets to one down.
“In all 8 of Murray’s wins, he won the first two sets, six times taking a straight sets non-Slam/Davis Cup match, and even the two Slam wins, leading 2-0 in the 2012 U.S. Open final, being pegged back to 2-2 but then winning 3-2. And the 2013 Wimbledon Final, which was straight sets.
“So this second set is rather important to Murray’s chances.”
Djokovic 4-6 5-3 Murray* (*denotes next server)
It’s so difficult to say who’s got the momentum. I guess Djokovic, and that’s a perfect pickup at the net that prompts a “wow” from Darren Cahill on commentary. Murray’s back at 15-15, though, and now 15-30, but Djokovic comes up with a big first serve there: 30-30. He’s pumped, and he’s a game away from levelling the match.
Djokovic breaks!
*Djokovic 4-6 4-3 Murray (*denotes next server)
That’s really aggressive from Murray, and he needs to maintain this: he’s 0-8 in games against Djokovic, and this is a chance to snap that losing streak. But that’s a poor shot choice from Murray, tossing in a drop shot that just wasn’t on. 15-30. And now 15-40! Djokovic ups the intensity, and here’s a chance to break right back. Missed! And a howl from the Serb. But it doesn’t matter: Murray nets, and Djokovic is a break up again!
Updated
Murray breaks!
Djokovic 4-6 3-3 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic in a spot of bother at 15-30 after a missed drop shot that he should have made. And now 15-40! Double break point! Murray suddenly with a real sniff. Djokovic decides it’s time for a racquet change, and it does him good: he saves the first, and then fires a serve that Murray does well to even reach. Deuce. Murray just two of 12 break point chances converted.
But Djokovic yelps in anguish after missing a regulation forehand. Third break point for Murray. Saved again! Djokovic just won’t lie down. But once again he’s beaten for pace from Murray’s groundstrokes, and it’s a fourth chance, and he takes it! Murray breaks!
*Djokovic 4-6 3-2 Murray (*denotes next server)
Lovely clean winner to start from Murray, and then Djokovic can only find the net. 30-0. I think Murray is trying to shorten these points. 40-0 now! A serve-and-volley, and then Djokovic catches the top of the net, and it’s Murray’s point. Things are quickening up here.
Djokovic 4-6 3-1 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Better from Murray, and a perfectly placed backhand volley for 0-15. Djokovic takes advantage of a Murray mishit, though, and it’s 30-15, and now 40-15: some lovely power hitting from the Serb. And an ace to finish. Well played.
Updated
*Djokovic 4-6 2-1 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray is on the board! 15-0, 30-0, 40-0 – we’re really rattling through this second set. I guess the players don’t want to be out here too long in this heat. Lovely flipped backhand, down low, from Djokovic, and it’s 40-30. Now deuce, after Murray can only find the net. This is worrying for Murray. But he finds something for the advantage, and then seemed to stop: he thought the ball from Djokovic was long. It wasn’t. Deuce again.
Murray nudges back head, and then finished it with an ace: his fourth. Important hold.
Djokovic 4-6 2-0 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic has won six straight points in this second set. Maybe it’s the fact he’s wearing a cap. Now 40-0 after Murray misses a forehand down the line. And that’s a great winner from Djokovic to round out the game. Two games in this second set, and Murray hasn’t won a point.
*Djokovic 4-6 1-0 Murray (*denotes next server)
I know we keep mentioning this, but to think that Murray’s last victory over Djokovic was the Wimbledon final in 2013 … crazy. We’ve been playing for 1hr 11min. I’m already fatigued. And this is trouble for Murray: Djokovic is all over him here, and it’s 0-40 in no time. And then a speculative challenge turns out to be a good one: Djokovic breaks in the first game of the second set!
Murray wins the first set!
Djokovic 4-6 0-0 Murray* (*denotes next server)
It’s windy out there, and it’s having an effect. Nice play from Murray, though, bringing Djokovic to the net and flicking a backhand for a clear winner. Djokovic is into the net, and this is two set points!
Bjorkman grimaces. Murray has to make this count. But that’s a stellar serve from Djokovic. Unreturnable. 30-40. But that’s a mishit from Djokovic, and Murray wins the first set!
Updated
*Djokovic 4-5 Murray (*denotes next server)
Djokovic looks as though he’s moving through the gears here, but Murray is on it: he wins a trio of cheap points for 40-15. Djokovic makes it 40-30, and then a funny moment: Murray was annoyed that his service was called long by the umpire Fergus Murphy, and complained, but Murphy was absolutely insistent that his call was right. “You can do what you like, but it was definitely long,” Murphy said. So Murray accepted the call, but the replay showed the serve was good! Now Djokovic has a break! He couldn’t sneak a lead, could he? Murray pulls out an amazing second serve that just clipped the line: he went all out and got his reward. Deuce.
Now advantage Murray, and he closes it out. That’s a crucial hold for him: he pumps his fist.
Djokovic 4-4 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Murray must be so cranky: at 4-1, he had all those chances, which he passed up, and suddenly Djokovic is back in the match. He took his opportunity; Murray didn’t. There’s my hot take.
But Murray is on it here, and that’s 15-30, and a chance. Novak closes the door, though: nice passing winner down the line. 30-30. An overrule on a tight line call gives him 40-30, but Murray gets the better of a baseline rally and it’s deuce. So many deuces today.
But Djokovic has too much, and we’re level at four-all.
Djokovic breaks!
*Djokovic 3-4 Murray (*denotes next server)
We’re looking at Jonas Bjorkman in the box. He looks good for 43! Formidable winner from Murray for 15-0, and then Djokovic totally fluffs an easy volley. 30-0! What is wrong with Djokovic? But that’s a bad miss from Murray: again, much too fierce, and it’s long, and we’re at 30-30. This is an important point for Murray, and he wins it, set up by a fine kick serve out wide. But that’s an excellent, back-and-forth point, with lobs and drop shots and net play, and Djokovic wins it. Deuce.
What a return from Djokovic! A fizzing backhand, and it sets up his first break point of the match. Which he wins! Djokovic breaks back. Amazing.
Updated
Djokovic 2-4 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Just watching a commercial for business cards, which I think gives more credence to business cards than business cards really deserve. Modern life, eh?
“Murray’s on fire with the backhand,” says Chris Fowler on commentary, and it’s 0-15. And now 0-30! Murray is sniffing an opening here, but that’s more like it from Djokovic, crunching a winner for 15-30. Djokovic has been flat so far, and that’s long! Just an easy forehand that he missed. Double break point! First serve is out wide, and Murray does enough to get a racquet on it, but Djokovic puts him away. 30-40. And now Djokovic goes down the middle, and Murray’s return is tame. Deuce.
Murray looks confident from the back of the court, and was in control of that point until a slight mishit on his forehand, but Djokovic can’t make it count, and we’re back to deuce. He looks pained. But that was a zany service return from Murray: wild and reckless, like his 2008 hair cut. Djokovic is out of a jam there: that was a chance for Murray to earn his second break.
Here’s Simon McMahon: “Evening Tim. That was some game. COME ON ANDY!!!”
*Djokovic 1-4 Murray (*denotes next server)
Belinda Bencic wins the women’s final after Simona Halep retires at 0-3 down in the final set. Well done to her. Murray has been hitting the ball well so far, but Djokovic is back at 30-30. Now deuce: Murray’s serve was malfunctioning in that last point. But that’s an ace! Down the middle, and he has the advantage, and that’s good pressure from Murray, pushing a deep forehand down the line and coming to the net. He leads 4-1.
Updated
Murray breaks!
Djokovic 1-3 Murray* (*denotes next server)
Brad Gilbert says courtside is “incredibly toasty. Touching a buck 22 down there.” I think that’s 122F: jeez, that’s hot.
Djokovic misses an easy put-away and it’s 0-15, but then cushions a nice volley that Murray can’t return. Djokovic isn’t quite into his serving stride, and Murray moves to 15-30, and now two break points! He really peppered Djokovic in that point, but Nole missed a midcourt forehand he should have made: 15-40, and a real chance to break.
Murray challenges a ball that’s six inches long. He knew it. 30-40. And that’s beautiful from Djokovic a lovely wide second serve, and a delicate cushioned volley to win the point. Deuce, and two break points saved. Murray responds, though, and that’s another break point!
Murray is seriously pissed with himself: he got a good look at that passing shot, and missed it. Fume! Djokovic doesn’t miss the chance to get out of trouble, but Murray evens things up after a lovely deft volley. Deuce again! This is going to be a long afternoon, isn’t it?
Advantage Murray! Break point no 4! And he just floats a nothing backhand long! He’s so mad with himself. But that’s advantage, and now he breaks! About time!
Updated
*Djokovic 1-2 Murray (*denotes next server)
Murray hits an ace down the line that is called in. Djokovic challenges – he’s unsuccessful: the ball was in. But Nole doesn’t like it! The ball definitely looked out on the replay, but the caption flashed up: “In.” Djokovic doesn’t like it. 30-0. Murray is wide with a forehand – that was sloppy – and it’s 30-15, and then a whipped forehand is just the wrong side of the line. 30-30. Murray’s first serve is powerful, and Djokovic can’t return it, but that’s a fabulous answer from Djokovic, and we’re at deuce.
Advantage Murray, but then he’s long after a monster rally! How many shots was that? 30? Second deuce. And again, advantage Murray, and then back to deuce! Murray just about does enough: that was a battle.
Updated
Djokovic 1-1 *Murray (*denotes next server)
Easy hold for Djokovic. The women’s final, by the way, is into a tie-break in the second.
Murray serves first
*Djokovic 0-1 Murray (*denotes next server)
And Murray gets the opening game under his belt. It’s really hot in Montreal, but Murray begins with a service game to 15. Solid start.
Updated
Five-five in this second set. Bencic is really tight; Halep is really injured. Who wants to win it?
Of Halep, Pam Shriver says on commentary: “I don’t know how she’s still in this.”
Updated
But now Halep breaks back! Ah, here we go: Murray and Nole have just walked out in Montreal, but ESPN is following the women’s final for the time being.
Bencic has just broken back! So she’s serving for the title. This would be just her second tour championship: she won in Eastbourne earlier this year.
I *think* I’m right in saying that even though these finals are taking place in opposing cities – Canada’s best cities! Sorry Vancouver – the men won’t start till the women finish: for television purposes, I guess. Halep looked dead and buried, and she’s suffering with injury in the heat, but she’s just broken Bencic, and it’s 3-4 in the second.
Ergo, we could be waiting a while yet.
Updated
This is lovely story by my colleague Bryan Graham on Vicky Duval, who, after breaking into the top 100, was told she had Hodgkins lymphona. On Wednesday, she played her first match in 14 months, and she’s got an eye on this month’s US Open in New York:
No 2 seed Simona Halip is taking on Belinda Bencic in the final of the women’s singles in Toronto, but Bencic has taken the first set. It’s 2-2 in the second.
Updated
Hello and welcome
A nice match-up today in the final of the Rogers Cup in Montreal: Andy Murray takes on Novak Djokovic for cash, prizes and prestige. Regardless of the outcome, Murray will move up to No2 in the world, for the first time since 2013, and has the chance to snap an eight-match losing streak against Nole. Djokovic, for his part, wants to win his seventh title of the year, and for someone to stop lighting up that fat one.
Play begins at 3pm local time, 8pm BST. Join me!
Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s why Novak Djokovic thought someone was high:
Djokovic said of the cannabis smell after his semi-final: “You can’t believe how bad it was. Whoever it is, I hope he doesn’t come back tomorrow. He’s probably on the seventh sky somewhere.”
