Andy Murray produced a scintillating display to win the Madrid Masters title after defeating Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2. The win is not only Murray’s first over Nadal on clay but also his first Masters title on the surface. The defeat is another setback in a so far disappointing 2015 for Nadal who has failed to pick up any major tournament victories.
Murray got off to a brilliant start breaking Nadal in the second game to race in to a 3-0 lead. Nadal halted Murray’s charge by finally registering on the scoreboard to make it 3-1, but Murray was proving a handful for the Spaniard. Nadal’s forehand failed to fire as Murray continued to put in a solid and composed display. Nadal then crucially failed to convert two break point opportunities in the 6th game. Murray would keep his cool from there on out to take the opening frame 6-3, brushing off further pressure from Rafa.
Nadal continued to look nervous as Murray sensed blood, breaking in the first game of the second set. Murray consolidated his lead and broke Nadal again in the third game despite a poor forehand volley that on another day might have proved costly. Murray was constructing his points beautifully with Rafa unable to predict were Murray was going to hit the ball next. This led to a multitude of unforced errors for Nadal who, at 4-0 down, was losing belief. Nadal finally hit back in the fifth to get a foothold in the set at 4-1. With the next game proving crucial, Nadal failed to produce a break point opportunity. Murray maintained consistent and fluid play, and at this point had Nadal’s hopes of retaining his tittle on life support. At 5-2 a brilliant second serve from Murray on match point was lethargically sent back into the net by Nadal, giving Murray his first win on clay against the reigning champion in Madrid.
The win is Murray’s second clay court title in the space of just a week. It sets the Scottish champion up perfectly for the Rome Masters where Murray will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of clay court titles prior to the start of the French Open in a couple weeks time. As Murray masters his clay court ability he will be looking at the poor performances of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with optimism. If Murray can extend his fine form into Roland Garros then he will surely be in with a great opportunity of claiming his third Grand-Slam title.
As for Nadal, it is another crushing defeat. The Spaniard has only won a single title all year and has now lost two clay court masters titles in a row. Nadal also lost out to Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters last month. The loss also drops Nadal down to #7 in the rankings for the first time in a decade.
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