Murray Claims First ATP Masters Series Title
August 5, 2008
KENNELBACH, AUSTRIA — HEAD players fought their way to victory last week at tournaments around the world.
No. 8 seeded HEAD Player Andy Murray defeated World No. 3 Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 7-6 (5) to earn his first Masters Series Title at the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati last Sunday.
“It’s huge to win your first sort of major tournament, and to do it in a match like today makes it more special,” said Murray. “I put in a lot of work off the court to be able to win these sorts of tournaments, and it makes it all worthwhile.”
Murray, who plays with the MicroGEL Radical MP, moves up from No. 9 to a career-high No. 6 in the South Africa Airways ATP rankings. On his way to the final round, Murray defeated fellow HEAD player Ivo Karlovic in the semifinals 5-4, 6-4.
Karlovic also enjoyed a successful run, defeating World No. 1 Roger Federer 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(5) to advance to the semifinals.
HEAD player Victoria Azarenka, who plays with the MicroGEL Extreme Pro, advanced to the semifinals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal. She lost to eventual winner Dinara Safina 0-6, 6-2, 3-6. Azarenka defeated fellow HEAD player Tamira Paszek 6-4, 7-5 to reach the semifinal round. Paszek advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.
