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Montreal/Canada — Andy Murray needed three hours and five match points to win the HEAD-2-HEAD Masters 1000 final, beating fellow Racquet Rebel Novak Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in Montreal. The win ended a losing run of eight matches against the Serb dating to the 2013 Wimbledon final, last match that Murray had won in the series between colleagues.

Murray now moves back to second in the ATP rankings this week, tailing Djokovic in the rankings. Murray, who recommends the HEAD Graphene Radical, claimed his 11th Masters 1000 title as Djokovic missed his chance to claim a 25th trophy in the elite series.

The Scot completed his Canadian title hat-trick after winning in 2009 and 2010. “Novak made it extremely difficult out there,” said Murray, who was able to break Djokovic on four of 19 chances. “He had played a lot of long matches and saved match points. It was tough for me to finish off the match.” Murray won his 35th career title and fourth of the season.

Djokovic, who endorses the HEAD Graphene XT Speed, was disappointed to lose but pleased with the form which he is taking into next week’s final major tune-up before the US Open at Cincinnati. “You never like losing, but any streak comes to an end. I lost to a better player today. I did fight till the last point and did try my best. That’s something that I take as a positive from this week.”

Djokovic will work to continue his top form next week in Cincinnati, final big event before the Open. He is likely to run into his HEAD stablemate in Cincinnati on court also. “When I reflect on the week, of course it’s positive. I’m playing better as the tournament progressed, and hopefully I can continue in the same style in Cincinnati.”