Novak Djokovic complained he smelt cannabis on court in his last four clash but he’s now getting used to the whiff of a rare defeat after losing the final of the Montreal Masters to Andy Murray Sunday.
The world number one, the winner of two of three grand slams this season, was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-3 by the Scot, who will move to No.2 in the rankings Monday.
Murray, who has found Djokovic an immovable hurdle since his triumphs of 2012 and 2013, was beating the Serbian for the first time since his Wimbledon victory two years ago.
With two weeks to go to the U.S. Open it is a major confidence boost for Murray, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2012.
He closed out victory after three hours on his fifth match point as Djokovic battled in typical fashion having been broken early in the deciding set.
Murray’s victory also ended a number of streaks by Djokovic, who had won 12 straight Masters 1000 finals and was in the middle of a 30-match winning run at this level, with victories at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome this year.
The pair had exchanged the opening two sets, both achieved after taking early leads, being broken back but then securing a further break of service.
Murray has also secured his spot at the end of season ATP World Tour Finals with his 35th career crown and third at the Rogers Cup in Canada.
“Novak made it extremely difficult out there,” said Murray, whose full-time coach Amelie Mauresmo gave birth to a baby boy just hours before the match.
He dedicated the victory to her, adding: “I am sure she is up watching the match.”
Assistant Jonas Bjorkman was in the stands in Mauresmo’s place as their charge won his fourth title of a resurgent 2015.
Bencic triumph
Meanwhile, Swiss teen Belinda Bencic added to her growing reputation by grinding down Simona Halep to win the women’s WTA event in Toronto.
Bencic, who upset world number one Serena Williams in the semifinals, won 7-6 6-7 3-0 when the Romanian retired because of the effort of battling in the extreme heat.
The 18-year-old Bencic, mentored by Martina Hingis, has won 21 of her last 25 matches on the WTA Tour and is rapidly rising up the rankings to 12th after her Rogers Cup success, the youngest winner since 2006.
