Murray beats nemesis Djokovic to claim the glory in Montreal

ANDY MURRAY celebrated becoming world No 2 again in superb style last night when he defeated Novak Djokovic for the first time since his Wimbledon triumph of 2013.

In lifting the Rogers Cup in Montreal with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory, the Scot ended a dismal run against the Serb which had stretched across eight matches.

And Murray, who overtook Roger Federer in second spot by reaching the final here, could not have ended the hoodoo at a better time with the US Open just two weeks away.

In searing temperatures, the first set went to serve in a typical cat-and-mouse tussle between the two great rivals until Murray broke the Djokovic serve in the fourth game to lead 3-1.

With Murray holding for 4-1 he was threatening to move out of sight, but the Serb held his nerve to make it 4-2 and then broke the British No 1 for 4-4 in what was turning into a typically epic struggle.

Holding for 5- 4, the Scot then secured two set points and clinched a marvellous set which had lasted one hour and six minutes.

Serving first again, it seemed like it was advantage Murray but he was immediately broken by Djokovic in the first game of the second set.

Murray, who dismissed Kei Nishikori in the last-four clash on Saturday, had not lost a match this season when he had won the first set, and the force was with him again when he broke Djokovic for 3-3. This time it was the Serb’s turn to turn the tables, however, on his way to clinching the second set and Murray’s proud record had fallen.

However, the Scot responded in fine fashion and claimed the third set to record a rare but equally sweet victory.

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Belinda Bencic capped a giant-killing run in Toronto by upsetting world No 3 Simona Halep in the women’s final.

The 18- year- old equalled t he achievement of her mentor Martina Hingis, who claimed the title at the same age in 1999.

A distressed Halep was forced to retire with a leg injury trailing 7-6, 6-7, 3-0 after nearly two and a half hours of gruelling tennis i n sweltering Toronto heat.

The Swiss never had it easy en route to the biggest title of her career. She beat four of the world’s top six, with Halep joined on her list of victims by Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic.

Bencic has now won 21 of her past 25 matches. ‘I have really enjoyed every match here,’ s he s ai d. ‘Even if I’d lost, it would have been an amazing experience.’

Halep produced a gutsy effort but appeared in trouble from the start as she struggled with the heat and a sore left thigh.

Trailing 3-0 in the final set, she went to her chair during the changeover, then quickly got up, walked over to Bencic and shook hands.