Andy Murray beats Milos Raonic to claim record fifth Queen’s crown
Defending champion beats Milos Raonic 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
5.18pm BST
So Andy Murray continues to observe the time-honoured traditions of British tennis, flirting with disaster and taking the entire nation on an emotional roller-coaster ride of fluctuating fortunes and near misses. With the crucial difference, of course, that Murray wins. Murray always wins – at Queen’s, at least. The trick now will be to go one step further than he managed in Melbourne and Paris. Can he claim a second Wimbledon title? If Lendl can help him find an answer to the puzzle that is Novak Djokovic, he surely can. As for Milos Raonic, he can take heart from a wonderful week’s work that brought him within a whisker of the title and marked him out as a clear threat for Wimbledon. Speaking of which, exciting things are afoot in that part of the world. Lamp-posts are draped in purple and green livery adorned with the words “The Championships”; tennis balls are appearing in shop windows; courtesy cars are patrolling the streets of Wimbledon Village. Not long now. See you in a week’s time! Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out Kevin Mitchell’s match report below.
Related: Andy Murray beats Milos Raonic to claim record fifth Queen’s crown
5.02pm BST
And so to the mystery that surrounds any Queen’s final – where on earth does the winner find the energy to parade around with that huge trophy? Murray copes manfully, needless to say – much to the crowd’s delight – although he has had plenty of practice, of course.
4.59pm BST
“I guessed on a few serves to get one of the breaks back and after that I gained confidence,” says Murray. “Coming out here to try to win for the fifth time I was really motivated … Obviously, this tournament has loads of history, it’s a great event [and] the player field every year is extremely strong.”
Asked how it feels to become the first player to win titles at Queen’s, Murray looks to McEnroe and says: “Any time you can do something just a little bit better than him it’s an amazing feeling.” Cue much laughter – was that a sly dig? – and then a protestation from Murray that he’s well aware the great American’s achievements eclipse his own. Of Lendl, who is nowhere to be seen, Murray quips: “It was nice of him to stick around for the trophy presentation.”
4.53pm BST
Raonic speaks to Sue Barker at courtside. “Congratulations to Andy for winning this tournament for the fifth time – although I’m sure it’s not nearly as special as your first father’s day, so happy father’s day.” Bless. “Hopefully we can have a rematch a couple of Sundays from now” – cue huge cheers. “I’m feeling pretty good out here, it’s good progress I’ve made this week … hopefully I can continue.”
4.50pm BST
In comfort break news, Adrian Fowell asks – not without good cause – “Doesn’t the tour as a whole use ‘comfort break’?” I believe so, Adrian. But for heaven’s sake don’t mention it to Andy Tyacke.
4.48pm BST
So Andy Murray is king of Queen’s again, his fifth title eclipsing the likes of Emerson, McEnroe and Becker, some of the greatest players ever to wield a racket in anger on an English grass court. He has never lost a decider in this tranquil pocket of west London; if he could say the same of major finals, he would by now be the proud owner of 10 grand slam titles. But let’s not dwell on that, let’s just hail another remarkable triumph by a truly remarkable tennis player.
4.45pm BST
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
He’s only gone and done it! A blistering Murray return off a 119mph serve at 15-15 creates an excited murmur in the crowd, which evolves into a delirious cheer when another cracking backhand draws a volleying error to bring up two match points. Raonic hits back with two winning overheads, but the very fact that Murray is trying to torment his opponent with topspin lobs at this stage tells you all you need to know about his confidence levels right now. Another heavy backhand return draws a forehand error from Raonic, and it’s a third match point. This time there is no mistake from Murray: a dipping return, a netted volley from Raonic, and it’s all over. What a performance!
4.39pm BST
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-4, 5-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
Murray’s mistakes are almost more notable than his winners at this point. He makes a bad one at 30-0, clumping a simple forehand into the net from all of a foot away, but makes amends with an ace and a drop shot so good that Raonic doesn’t even twitch. The Canadian will serve to stay in the match.
4.37pm BST
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-4, 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
As the skies darken somewhat, Raonic completes a trouble-free hold with a gigantic ace. His body language speaks of renewed positivity as he strides back to his chair for the change of ends. Can he wrest the initiative from Murray again? We’ll soon find out.
4.35pm BST
4.33pm BST
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-4, 4-2 Raonic (*denotes server)
Murray races through his service game to move within two games of the match. His level in this set, in every department, has been simply exceptional.
4.32pm BST
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-4, 3-2 Raonic* (*denotes server)
As Raonic holds again, McEnroe stands and stares intently at his charge. But never mind that, because Andy Tyacke has questions of language on his mind. “There’s a slight lull as both players take a comfort break,” he writes. “Really?????????? Did they go for a sit in an armchair? Do we really need to use these awful US baby-talk euphemisms? I presume you mean a lavatory or, if more refeened” – by which I’m guessing he means refined – “a toilet break. The Guardian is a British newspaper and should use English as its language of communication. I expect you’ll tell us that they had their comfort break in the rest room next. Yeugh!” Dear me. Sorry, Andy.
4.28pm BST
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-4, 3-1 Raonic (*denotes server)
When the dust settles on this match, there will be questions to be asked about why Murray only seems to become fully engaged after dropping a set. It happened in the second set against Kyle Edmund, it happened against Marin Cilic yesterday, and it’s happened once more against Milos Raonic here. But will Murray care? Not if he comes through this match, he won’t. As Raonic fails to claw back a swinging serve down the centre of the deuce court at 40-15, that’s nine of the last 11 games Murray has won. You almost have to feel sorry for the Canadian. Almost.
4.24pm BST
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-4, 2-1 Raonic* (*denotes server)
As Lendl looks on impassively, the McEnroe brow is furrowed. Raonic holds comfortably enough, a graceful backhand volley clinching the game, but the sense of inevitability and ruthlessness that punctuated his service games for the first two sets has gone.
4.21pm BST
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-4, 2-0 Raonic (*denotes server)
He’s simply flying, is Murray, and now it’s Raonic’s turn to look flustered and berate himself. An ace from the Scot completes a clinical hold, and Murray is absolutely pumped.
4.18pm BST
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Murray’s intensity is simply irresistible now. He’s bouncing around, retrieving every seemingly lost cause, and getting a much better read on the Raonic game. It’s all too much for the Canadian, who throws in a costly double-fault at 30-15 after being thwarted at the net a couple of points earlier. He then goes wide with a forehand to bring up a break point for Murray. The first serve goes awry, Murray gets the second in play with a deep backhand return, and a 24-shot rally evolves during which the players trade blows toe-to-toe. But it’s Murray who gets the upper hand, pulling Raonic wide on the forehand before a winning drop shot seals a brilliant break. Incredible!
4.11pm BST
There’s a slight lull as both players take a comfort break. We all need a breather at this point. That was an incredible comeback from Murray, who looked down and out at a set and 3-0 down. What has Raonic got left? Can he put the disappointment of suffering two successive breaks behind him? Hold on to your hats, because we’re about to find out …
4.05pm BST
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 6-4 Raonic (*denotes server)
“Let’s go Andy, let’s go,” comes the cry from the stands as Murray walks out to serve for the set. And go he does. A big first serve puts him on the front foot before Raonic manages to catch him off balance in his forehand corner. But Murray strokes a beautiful backhand winner to bring up 30-15, and follows up with a fine service winner. Seconds later, Raonic slices into the alley and Murray is punching the air in delight. What a turnaround.
4.02pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 5-4 Raonic* (*denotes server)
There’s no question the Raonic juggernaut is slowing, but he weathers some ferocious Murray returning to secure a vital hold. How he needed that.
3.59pm BST
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 5-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
Would you credit it? Fifty-odd games without dropping serve, and then Raonic goes and gets broken twice in succession. If only there were a handy simile involving London buses to describe that scenario. Oh well, we’ll just have to soldier on without. Speaking of soldiers, Murray is really rolling out the heavy ordnance now. A flashing backhand winner, another big forehand and he’s not only home and dry on serve, but also one game from the set. Murray is playing his best tennis of the week right here.
3.56pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Another break and Murray is motoring. He takes the first point against serve and, after some incredible retrieving, sets himself up for a forehand pass that would put him firmly in the frame for another break. He misses, but is Raonic unnerved by his opponent’s tenacity? He certainly seems to be, because a double-fault and a netted backhand drop volley follow. Suddenly, the man with the seemingly impregnable serve is staring down the barrel again at 15-40. Raonic saves the first break point with a thunderous delivery down the centre, but at 30-40 Murray pulls him out of position on the forehand and the Canadian nets. Extraordinary stuff.
3.50pm BST
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 3-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
The crowd are up for this now and so is Murray, make no mistake. The Scot was in full battle mode after that last game and, although he briefly threatens to falter here, a booming forehand winner from Raonic carrying the Canadian to 30-30, Murray sees out the game with a couple of excellent serves. The momentum is all with the defending champion.
3.47pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 2-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Murray is back in the hunt! Some belligerent play carries the Scot to 30-30, but a 121mph SECOND serve sets up an easy forehand winner. Then, though, the gods smile on Murray, who successfully challenges what appeared to be a clean winner from Raonic. The decision goes his way, and it’s deuce on the Raonic serve for the first time. Murray makes the return, Raonic nets a forehand, and suddenly – from nowhere – the Canadian is facing a break point. The first serve, predictably, comes down at searing pace, but Murray lunges to his left and steers a superb backhand pass beyond the incoming server. What a fighter he is. Fantastic stuff.
3.42pm BST
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 1-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
You don’t win four titles on this court for nothing, and Murray opens his second-set account in impressive style with a love game. More importantly, perhaps, he seems to have recovered his mental equilibrium. He’ll need to stay calm, too, because if he doesn’t conjure a break soon, his challenge will be done and dusted.
3.38pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 0-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Awesome stuff from Raonic, who shows no sign of faltering as he seals another love hold. McEnroe was up out of his seat and bowing before his charge after that last game, but really that scenario should be reversed. The American’s tactical influence has clearly given Raonic fresh impetus: he’s playing with greater variety, timing his runs into the net well, and varying the pattern of his serving brilliantly. Murray has a mountain to climb now.
3.35pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 0-2 Raonic* (*denotes server)
The alarm bells are screaming now as Murray drops serve for the first time. He concedes the opening point with another mistake before some aggressive play takes him back to 15-15. A lengthy rally ensues, Raonic pulling his opponent hither and thither before moving forward to put away a volley. Another long rally is summarily concluded by the Canadian when he rolls a short forehand for a winner. 15-40. And then – horror of horrors – Murray receives a time violation as he is about to serve. If he went over the allotted period, it must have been by seconds. He keeps his cool but loses the game as Raonic finds another deep return. Dear me.
3.29pm BST
Second set: Murray 6-7, 0-1 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Raonic really means business here. With Murray still seething, the Canadian wraps up the opening game of the set to love. The Scot needs to steady himself sharpish, or this could quickly get away from him.
3.26pm BST
Murray pounds his racket into his bag repeatedly after Raonic winds up a big forehand pass to blast the ball beyond the Scot and claim the first set. He’s furious, is Murray. Not sure why, though, because that was a brilliant tiebreak by Raonic, who set the tone with some great play at the net on the opening point and never looked back.
3.24pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6, 5-6 Raonic* (*denotes server)
… but it’s set point Raonic on the Murray serve after a big serve and overhead …
3.23pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6, 5-5 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Murray breaks back for 5-5 in the first-set tiebreak as Raonic nets a backhand!
3.22pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6, 4-5 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Some lovely play around the net from Murray to stay just one mini-break behind. But Raonic has two points on serve to come …
3.20pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6, 2-4 Raonic* (*denotes server)
It’s 4-2 in the first set tiebreak as Raonic thunders down a big first serve that draws a weak return from Murray. The Canadian thumps away the short ball, Murray berates himself …
3.19pm BST
First set: Murray* 6-6, 2-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
Two good points from Murray on serve keep him in contention …
3.18pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6, 0-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Having won the opening point against the serve behind some brilliant approach play, Raonic consolidates with two solid points on his own delivery. Great start to the tiebreak by the third seed …
3.16pm BST
First set: Murray 6-6* Raonic (*denotes server)
Having driven a simple backhand long on the opening point, Murray makes no attempt to conceal his displeasure. He doesn’t look too thrilled when he misses the line by millimetres with a cross-court backhand pass on the next point, either. Raonic wraps up the game with some more big serving and we’re into a tiebreak.
3.13pm BST
First set: Murray* 6-5 Raonic (*denotes server)
At 0-15 down, a long rally – probably the longest of the match – unfolds. Cue a mass intake of breath in the stands. But Murray keeps a perfect length, and the danger is averted. A fluffed forehand volley on the next point seems to put paid to Raonic’s hopes of a break, but Murray then makes an uncharacteristic mistake himself, coughing up an unforced error from the back. He swats the air angrily. All is well in the end, though, the Scot steadying the ship with some big serving to secure the hold.
3.09pm BST
First set: Murray 5-5 Raonic* (*denotes server)
For most players, serving to stay in the set against the No2 player in the world might be cause for concern. Milos Raonic is not most players. He seals the deal with a thunderous serve, a forehand so vicious it should have come with a health warning, a huge ace and a wining forehand volley. Still, amid that barrage Murray did manage to get to 30-30 again, and that can only bode well for the Scot.
3.04pm BST
First set: Murray* 5-4 Raonic (*denotes server)
“Come on!” cries Murray when Raonic fails to find the court with a return at 30-30. It’s not hard to understand his urgency. He was 15-30 down in that game, and a break at this late stage in the set would surely have proved fatal. He recovers well, though, a deep serve eliciting a netted forehand from Raonic as Murray seals the game to 30.
3.00pm BST
First set: Murray 4-4 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Milos Raonic comes out to serve with the new balls. Needless to say, the game is brief. An ace rockets past Murray on the opening point. On the second, though, the Scot is able to block back a winning backhand, and that gives him a platform to reach 30-30. But Raonic snuffs out the danger with a massive ace down the centre, and seals the game when another humdinger of a delivery proves too hot for the top seed to handle. The Canadian pockets his 51st hold in 51 service games at this tournament.
2.56pm BST
First set: Murray* 4-3 Raonic (*denotes server)
Brilliant movement from Murray on the opening point as he scrabbles to a wide, wide forehand and hooks a winner cross-court. More fine serving follows as the Scot reels off the next three points for another love hold. Neither player has lost a point off a first serve so far, which perhaps tells you something about the way the match is going.
2.53pm BST
First set: Murray 3-3 Raonic* (*denotes server)
He’s such a powerhouse, is Raonic. He seals the game to love with two consecutive aces, having claimed the opening two points with a clubbed forehand that died on Murray and a meaty, Sampras-style slam-dunk smash. Breathtaking stuff.
2.50pm BST
First set: Murray* 3-2 Raonic (*denotes server)
A brilliant cross-court backhand pass sets the tone for a love hold by Murray, who looks to be in fine fettle on serve, as he has been all week. That’s good news for the Scot, especially since he’s already winning points against the serve.
2.48pm BST
First set: Murray 2-2 Raonic* (*denotes server)
Raonic gives Murray a glimpse with a double-fault on the opening point. Further encouragement comes in the form of a baseline exchange in which Murray gets the big Canadian moving side to side, just as he would wish. But there’s a sting in the tail: just as Raonic appears to be on the rack, stretched wide on the forehand with Murray in a good central position, he finds the corner with a wonderful placement that leaves the Scot flat-footed. He follows up with an ace, but Murray gets to 30-30 with a crisp backhand pass. From there, however, Raonic sees out the game with some dominant play behind the serve. Murray should be encouraged, though, because he was certainly in contention against the serve there.
2.43pm BST
First set: Murray* 2-1 Raonic (*denotes server)
At 15-0, Raonic gets caught in no-man’s-land with the ball at his ankles. He volleys down the middle and moves in. Bad move. Murray is on the ball in a flash and pummels a spectacular backhand pass beyond his reach. It was a bit of a gimme, but it certainly won’t have done Murray’s confidence any harm. He reels off the next couple of points and that’s a solid hold from the top seed.
2.39pm BST
First set: Murray 1-1 Raonic* (*denotes server)
No such problems for Raonic, who pounds down a couple of aces en route to a love hold. Cue a busy murmur among the crowd as they strive to take in the extraordinary power of the Canadian’s cannonball delivery.
2.38pm BST
First set: Murray* 1-0 Raonic (*denotes server)
A good start by Murray, even if he does make things rather more difficult than perhaps necessary. The cap-clad defending champion races to 40-0 with some heavy serving. Raonic then makes his presence felt, sneaking in behind a deep sliced backhand before volleying into the open court. The Canadian comes out on top of a brief baseline exchange at 40-15, and then makes it to deuce when Murray throws in a double-fault. But the Scot recovers well, finding his first serve again to see out the hold.
2.32pm BST
We’re about to start. Murray to serve first …
2.30pm BST
Speaking of Big Mac, he’s also at courtside, sporting a pair of dark shades. If he was trying to slip in unnoticed, it hasn’t worked.
2.29pm BST
Raonic may have played down the McEnroe factor, but he did let slip a few interesting nuggets of information after beating Tomic yesterday. “He’s definitely helped on the tactical side, how I play specific points, how to use the score a bit better,” he said of the partnership. “But the biggest thing is how I can make the other guy feel. What I can do to make the other guy’s current situation on court against me as difficult as possible. Not only looking at myself, but also sometimes taking a glance to the other side of the net.” He loved a glance across the net – or, more often, a glower – did McEnroe.
2.26pm BST
As the players start to knock up, and Ivan Lendl arrives at courtside to take his seat beside fellow coach Jamie Delgado, Simon McMahon writes: “I know there’s two players involved today, but I think sometimes we need to remind ourselves what an incredibly special sportsperson we have in Andy Murray. A four-time champion here, 12 Masters 1,000 titles, 10 Grand Slam finals, two grand slam titles, an Olympic gold and Davis Cup winner. And, as you rightly say, humble and grounded too. And Scottish. If I were to compile my own dictionary, under the entry for ‘role model’ I would simply put ‘Andy Murray’. You want a prediction? Murray wins, 7-5 7-6.”
2.22pm BST
Now Murray emerge. The decibel count is discernibly higher. No surprise there.
2.21pm BST
… and with that, out he walks. Warm applause from the expectant crowd at Queen’s Club.
2.20pm BST
Raonic is in the clubhouse, signing a few programmes for club members. He looks relaxed. Still, don’t chill too much, Milos – you were due on court 20 minutes ago.
2.19pm BST
So what do we think about this whole super coach malarkey? Murray and Raonic have both played it down in the prelude to the final. “It’s a nice talking point for you guys, I don’t think anyone else is going to discuss it too much in the locker room,” said Raonic. “I don’t think it will sway anything the way I go about things or Andy goes about things.” Murray was similarly dismissive: “It’s not about who’s in the opposite corner,” he said. “John [McEnroe] was obviously an unbelievable player and a great, great grass-court player, so I’m sure he’ll help Milos a lot, but I’m happy with my team.”
Still, you have to wonder. The best results of Murray’s career have been achieved under Lendl’s guidance, while Raonic made adroit use of the body serve against Tomic yesterday, also throwing in a few chip-and-charge manoeuvres off the Australian’s second serve. Those tweaks hinted at the tactical influence of McEnroe, who was a master at finding ways to win tennis matches from a very young age. No wonder Raonic has already made noises about extending his arrangement with the American beyond the grass-court swing.
2.07pm BST
Parents of the world, listen up. Struggling to keep up with all the feeding, bathing, school runs etc? Try taking a leaf out of Andy Murray’s book. Since baby Sophia arrived earlier this year, relaxing between matches has become a whole lot easier, says Murray. His wife, Kim, has been bringing Sophia to tournaments, and having his daughter around has been a real boost for the Scot, helping him to unwind. So there you have it: parenthood as stress relief. Although Andy did also mention in his Telegraph interview that Sophia sleeps well and hasn’t “shat on him in the bath or anything”. Give it time, lad; give it time.
1.55pm BST
Further to the earlier weather report, the skies above Queen’s Club have acquired a distinctly grey hue. Moral of the story: don’t mention the sun.
1.50pm BST
One man certainly looking forward to the afternoon’s entertainment, although perhaps not without a certain degree of anxiety, is John McEnerney. “Andy Murray in rip-roaring form going into Wimbledon as usual, today should be a good test for both,” he writes. “Interesting to see how Murray handles those thunderbolt serves from the Canadian. The first set to AM then, as I like to call it, the MMMM (MurraysMidMatchMeltdown), where he starts screaming at himself like a demented banshee after losing a few games in a row. Murray in three.” Quite right, John, Andy has certainly had a couple of toughies en route to the final. But while he seemed to go walkabout mentally in the second set of his quarter-final win over Kyle Edmund, he also had to contend with some scorching shotmaking from his fellow Brit. The same may be said of that middle set against Marin Cilic yesterday, when the Croatian sent down a veritable blizzard of big shots to get back on terms. Hopefully, from Murray’s standpoint, the courtside presence of Lendl will encourage him to rein in the histrionics against Raonic, against whom the slightest slip in concentration is likely to be costly.
1.36pm BST
Stylistic contrasts aside, the match also promises a fascinating clash of characters, a point underlined by the players’ respective Twitter straplines. Murray’s simply reads: “I play tennis”. It’s a message every bit as understated as the man himself, the motto of a guy who, for all his achievements, remains grounded and humble. Raonic, on the other hand, presents himself to the world as a player who has it all to do, his strapline reading: “It’s time to step up”. No doubt McEnroe will want to encourage that attitude; Raonic has already suggested that his new coach wants him to project himself more positively on court in terms of body language and physical presence. Perhaps that accounts for the Canadian’s ebullient tweet on making the final.
I look forward to getting out there tomorrow and fighting to win! It’s gonna be fun playing for a title! #TeamMilos pic.twitter.com/Yfl3yTPAUq
1.17pm BST
So what should we expect?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Milos Raonic: “For me it’s going to be about trying to dictate and play on my terms. For him, it’s going to be trying to take away time from me and trying to make me play as much as possible.”
That pretty much sums it up, although, as Murray pointed out: “The serve is the biggest strength in his game, so … if I get any chances, it’s important to take them when they come, because there’s not going to be too many.”
1.12pm BST
Play gets underway at 2pm. I’m happy to report that the weather outlook is good, with sunshine and the odd cloud expected but no rain. If that hasn’t jinxed the proceedings, nothing will.
12.31pm BST
Milos Raonic against Andy Murray, John McEnroe versus Ivan Lendl, irresistible force moves immovable object – cast it whichever way you will, today’s title decider at Queen’s Club is a fascinating prospect. In the saltire-blue corner we have Murray, the defending champion, world No2 and relentless perfectionist; the man who would depose Novak Djokovic as ruler of the tennis world, and has rekindled his coaching partnership with Lendl – under the granite gaze of whom he claimed two majors and an Olympic gold medal in the space of 12 glorious months – in the belief that the Czech-born American can once again play the role of kingmaker. In the maple-leaf red corner stands the imposing figure of Raonic, the 6ft 5in, ninth-ranked Canadian, who has hired McEnroe for the grass-court season in the hope that the three-time Wimbledon champion can help him improve on his best showing in SW19, a semi-final berth two summers ago.
Murray is aiming to become the first player in history to win five times at Queen’s, an accomplishment that eluded even grass-court greats such as Roy Emerson, John McEnroe and Boris Becker (even if they did win eight Wimbledon titles between them). He has never lost a final in Barons Court and, while this week has been more about making the adjustment from clay to grass following his first appearance in a final at Roland Garros, the Scot is not about to cock a snook at a chance to claim another little slice of sporting history. “A lot of great players have played and won here over the years,” said Murray after his semi-final win over Marin Cilic. “Winning any tournament a few times is hard, but this one in particular always has a very strong field. It’s a tough, tough event to win, so I’m glad I’ve given myself the opportunity to try to win again and it would be nice to get a fifth title for sure.”
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