Andy Murray masters Madrid Open

Madrid: Andy Murray claimed his first Masters series title on clay with a stunning demolition of defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2 at the Madrid Open on Sunday. Victory was also Murray’s first ever on clay over Nadal in seven attempts and stretched the Scot’s perfect start on the surface this season to 9-0 after wining his first ever clay court tournament earlier this week in Munich.

 

Defeat will see nine-time French Open champion Nadal slip to seventh in the world rankings, the first time he has been outside the top five in 10 years. “To play Rafa in Spain is extremely tough, but this is the reason why we play tennis for these matches, it is one of the toughest things in tennis to try and win against Rafa on clay,” said Murray.

 

“I will keep trying to play well in the next few weeks with Roland Garros just round the corner,’ he added. 

Nadal was searching for his third straight title in the Spanish capital, but his first of the European clay court swing after defeats to Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinal and a shock exit to Fabio Fognini at the Barcelona Open last month.

 

“Evidently today wasn’t the game I wanted or hoped to play. I tried until the end but it is not a day I am going to remember,” said Nadal. “Even so, this week has been a very important week for me in which I have recovered sensations which I haven’t felt on a tennis court for some time,” he added. The Scot No.1 Murray won the title clash under 90 minutes.