Murray proud of record run
ANDY MURRAY is ready to enjoy some well-earned downtime after his career-best 22-match winning streak finally came to an end in Cincinnati.
Since losing the French Open final to Novak Djokovic, the world No 2 has won the Aegon Championships, his second Wimbledon title, plus a second Olympic gold after defeating Juan Martin del Potro in a gruelling four-set, four-hour final in Rio.
Murray then flew directly from Brazil to Cincinnati to contest the Western & Southern Open, which he won in 2008 and 2011. Shunning the effects of jet lag, he beat Juan Monaco, Kevin Anderson, Bernard Tomic and Milos Raonic without too much trouble to set up a final showdown with Marin Cilic on Sunday.
However, it was the Croatian who emerged victorious as the former US Open champion won 6-4, 7-5 to claim his first Masters title and end Murray’s winning run.
His victory also ended a dominant run by the ‘big four’ of Murray, Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, who had won the past 18 tournaments in the series. But Murray, the latest member of the ‘600 Club’ having reached the ATP World Tour match-wins milestone against Anderson, was not too downhearted.
“I’m very proud of this week,” he said. “Obviously it didn’t go how I would’ve wanted, but I certainly didn’t expect to get to the final when I arrived here.
“I had some pretty good wins along the way. It’s a very, very positive week. I’m looking forward to a few days’ rest now.” make if Joe doesn’t make it. It has a knock-on effect.”
Hull will be at full strength for a Wembley showpiece that will be refereed by part-time official Gareth Hewer.
The 34-year-old Cumbrian has beaten the Rugby Football League’s seven-strong panel of full-time referees to the job after impressing head of officials Steve Ganson.
Ganson said: “He is a very experienced referee and this game is a worthy reward for his efforts so far.”
Melbourne Storm centre Ryan Morgan will join St Helens for the start of next season on a three-year deal.