World No. 4 Andy Murray claimed his second successive ATP Masters Series shield by halting marathon man unseeded Gilles Simon 6-4, 7-6(6) in the final of the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid on Sunday.
The Scot was competing in his third final in four events, having captured his first ATP Masters Series crown at Cincinnati (d. Djokovic) and reached his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open (d. Nadal; l. to Federer). He is already assured of his place at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai for the first time, currently No. 4 in the ATP 2008 Race.
This week has also seen Simon build a strong case for his place at the season-ending finale. The 23-year-old Nice native came into Madrid at No. 12 in ATP 2008 Race. He will now move to No. 9 in the ATP 2008 Race, within six points of No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro, and become the No. 1 Frenchman.
Dunblane native Murray becomes the first British player to win two ATP Masters Series titles, as Tim Henman (2003 Paris) and Greg Rusedski (1998 Paris) both won one each. The right-hander is also the first player to win back-to-back titles at ATP Masters Series Cincinnati and Madrid (since 2002).
It is the Scot’s seventh overall ATP title and fourth of the season. Murray, who also triumphed at Doha (d. Wawrinka), Marseille (d. Ancic) and Cincinnati, becomes just the third player this season together with Juan Martin del Potro (4) and Rafael Nadal (8) to win four ATP titles. He is the first British player to win four titles in a season, eclipsing Mark Cox who captured three in 1975.
Simon, who played a decisive third set tie-break four times during the week, made a slow start to the match. He surrendered his serve in the fifth game as a lob from Murray forced him out of position and the Scot capitalized with a strong backhand up the line to force the error.
Simon survived a break point against him early in the second set before settling into his rhythm and forcing the tie-break. He looked poised to take the match into a third set when he held two set points at 6-4, however he failed to convert both and Murray seized the initiative. The Scot hit a backhand return winner to earn a 7-6 lead and converted his first match point as Simon missed a tricky backhand volley after 1 hr., 35 min. Throughout the encounter Murray served 11 aces and did not face a break point.
In the semifinals Murray had toppled Roger Federer, while Simon had edged out home favorite and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. The Neuchatel, Switzerland resident had saved six match points and spent a total of 11 hr., 47 min., on court en route to the final.
Simon, who dropped to a 45-23 match record on the season, was bidding for his fourth ATP title of the season, having claimed his first three at Casablanca (d. Benneteau), his first title on U.S. soil at Indianapolis (d. Tursunov) and last month at Bucharest (d. Moya).
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