Andy: Now bring on the US Open

AS a statement of intent, andy Murray could not have timed the end of his eight- match losing streak against Novak Djokovic any better.

The new world No 2 has been beaten four times by t he Wimbledon champion in 2015, including in the final of the australian Open and in the French Open semi-finals.

So beating his nemesis at the Rogers Cup in the run-up to the US Open is a huge psychological hurdle cleared by the father-to-be.

‘We’ve played many matches like that, especially in grand slams,’ Murray said.

‘If this was the US Open, we’d have to play another couple of sets like t hat, which isn’t easy.

‘It’s so mentally challenging and physically demanding and you need to try to still have that competitive edge as well.

‘It’s not easy, not only because we get on, but because he’s bloody good, he’s No 1 in the world and hadn’t lost in a Masters Series this year.’

It was the first time Murray had beaten Djokovic over the full distance in a three-set Masters match, and his first hard- court win over the Serb since the 2012 US Open final.

‘It’s important to analyse this week and work on areas to improve before the US Open,’ added Murray.

‘I need to make sure I recover well from this. This match will be good physically and mentally for the build-up for sure.’ Murray’s coach amelie Mauresmo gave birth to a boy hours before the final and the Scot (left) said: ‘I’m not sure she will have stayed up to watch this one but, amelie, this one’s for you.’

Victory means Murray moves ahead Roger Federer in the world rankings, and he now leads a trio of Britons in the top 100. Slovenian-born Brit aljaz Bedene has dropped to 58, but Kyle Edmund has climbed to a career-high 99.