After a rain interrupted final in Munich, Andy Murray and Philipp Kholschreiber resumed their final on Monday morning. Having been called off for the day on Sunday with the score 2-3 but on serve, the players would have to finish this today, if the rain held off. Both players were wanting to win this, Murray because he has never won a title on clay and Kholschreiber because it is a German tournament and he has won it before. This was going to be a close match and it proved that when the first set went into a tiebreak, which Murray showed the ranking advantage as he pulled away to take it 7-4.
Both players were playing submline shots, long baseline rallies, lobs, dropshots, net play, great combinations, and the crowd, who had been waiting since Sunday for this final to actually start properly, was certainly enjoying it and proving it was worth the wait. The second set was very close adn Murray could have finished it off in straight sets, but for the great play of Kholschreiber who secured a break of serve. This was wiped out immediately by the top seed as he took the break back again. Kholschreiber managed to secure the 2nd break of serve at the end of the set to ensure this final was going the distance.
More superb tennis ensued and they were going toe to toe, neither player giving an inch, neither playing wanted to blink first. It was fitting, then, that this final should go to a tiebreak to decide where the title was going. After falling a mini break down Murray then played some astonishing tennis to get back on terms and then get ahead, he was not letting it go when he got there. After a wait of 39 years another Brit finally claimed a title on clay, as Andy Murray won his maiden clay title, and his first overall title as a married man. He now has titles on all surfaces as clay was the only one missing from his CV. Incidentally, Murray wears his wedding ring whilst playing, but not actually on his finger. He ties it (securely) on his shoelaces whilst the match is on, and replaces on his finger for the presentation. Murray also was a little reluctant at first to wear the Lederhosen that are presented to the winner, but once he heard it was a tradition, he relented and changed behind a screen erected on court. He also received a brand new BMW i8 as the champion, which he took for a quick spin round the court.
Both players now need to make a very quick trip to Madrid, as Kholschrieber has a first round match Tuesday, whilst Murray gets an extra day off having a bye into round 2. This could still affect Murray too with the short turn around time for Madrid as he will want to do well in the first clay Masters of the year. He has gained 250 points for this win in Munich and a semifinal spot at Madrid would gain him more points than this title has. H,owever Murray would have been aware of the short turn around time, although the extra day would not have been in his initial plans; the delay on the final will certainly impact on his recovery and preparation for Madrid; he is likely to be tired from playing here, but will be determined to do well in Madrid, especially as he will be the #2 seed.
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