Scot vanquishes Djokovic hours after coach gives birth

Britain's Andy Murray celebrated both the end of a losing streak to Novak Djokovic and the birth of coach Amelie Mauresmo's child on Sunday at the ATP Montreal Masters.

Murray, an expectant father whose own child is due in February, beat world No 1 Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to earn his fourth title of the season after losing his last eight matches to the Serb, dating back more than two years.

The Scotsman, unique among top players in being coached by a woman, said he has seen a picture of his French mentor's baby.

"I don't know much detail because we just saw a picture of her and the baby this morning when we got up," said Murray. "I haven't spoken to her or anything since then. I'd imagine she's quite tired.

"Probably me and my tennis are the last thing on her mind just now, which is totally understandable. But I am glad she's OK and everything went well."

Murrray said that any decision Mauresmo might take on her coaching future will remain open through the rest of this year and possibly beyond.

"It doesn't change anything through the end of this year because we've had six months since we found out to plan and talk about things," Murray said of the baby's birth.

"Obviously I employed Jonas (Bjorkman, as assistant coach). He's going to be with me pretty much every event I play between now and the end of the year.

"When Amelie is ready to sit down and chat, then we'll see if she wants to continue doing the job or if she wants to stay at home. It's really up to her."

With Bjorkman watching from the player box, Murray turned in a fighting performance over three hours to finally beat Djokovic.

"To win this one was nice, especially the way the match went as well," Murray said. "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."

Murray and Djokovic took an hour per set to settle their score in Quebec as Murray completed a Canadian title hat-trick after trophies in 2009 and 2010.

"You never like losing, but any streak comes to an end," said Djokovic, who said he received treatment this week on a right elbow niggle which has been bothering him recently.

"I just did some tests. They were good. They were positive. I hope for the best."

Murray now owns 11 Masters 1000 titles and 35 over all. He denied Djokovic the chance at a 25th Masters trophy.

"I lost to a better player today. I lost to Andy, who I know very well. I did fight till the last point and did try my best. That's something that I take as a positive from this week," Djokovic said.

"Andy deserved the win. He stepped in, played some great shots. Most of all the moments when he needed to, he served very, very well. He just came up always with big serves, so I couldn't do much."

Murray won his fourth title of 2015 and lifted his record on the season to 53-8.

"Novak made it extremely difficult out there," said Murray, who needed five match points to win as the Djokovic defense came to life.

Djokovic said he hopes to carry his form into Cincinnati next week and the US Open, which starts on Aug 31 in New York.

"When I reflect on the week, of course it's positive," Djokovic said. "I'm playing better as the tournament progressed, and hopefully I can continue in the same style in Cincinnati."

(China Daily 08/18/2015 page23)