Mexican Tour defence is Murray milestone
Jamie Murray was on the winners’ podium for the first time in 2018 when he and his Brazilian tennis partner Bruno Soares retained the Mexican Open title at the weekend in Acapulco.
The victory marked a couple of other milestones to celebrate: the Dunblane star’s 350th doubles match win and his 20th ATP Tour title.
The third-seeded Murray/Soares pairing overcame American legends Bob and Mike Bryan by securing a late break to win 7-6, 7-5.
Murray (32) and Soares (36) have now won seven tour-level trophies as a team, including back-to-back Acapulco crowns - the first time they have defended a title together since joining forces in January 2016 at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.
The teams were even throughout the 96-minute final. Neither could muster a break in the opener as seven break points were saved, including four by Murray and Soares before they won the tie-break 7-4.
In the second set they saved five more break points and stepped up when they had to, breaking to love in the 12th game.
Jamie said: “The tournament is so difficult. A lot of great teams again coming this year and we’re just really happy to win, to be successful again.”
Younger brother Andy finds himself in a position he has not been in since 2006 - British No 2.
The 30 year-old has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon last summer and has now fallen to No 29 in the rankings - five places behind Kyle Edmund, now at a career-high 24.
It has been reported that Murray is planning to return to the practice court towards the end of March and could be back in action before the grass-court season.
Edmund said: “It is humbling to become the British number one and perhaps unwittingly, as Andy has dropped down in rankings due to his injury.
“I’m wishing Andy a speedy recovery and I hope to battle it out with him in a more legitimate fashion in years to come.”
Edmund has not played since January after injuring his hip in Melbourne and missed the recent ATP events in Argentina and Rio because of illness.