Birthday Boy Murray Claims Historic Rome Title

Andy Murray celebrated his 29th birthday by lifting the Internazionali BNL d’Italia title. He is the first British man to win at the Foro Italico since Patrick Hughes in 1931.

Murray, who will return to No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday, defeated four-time champion No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3 in the final for his 12th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy. It broke Djokovic’s 17-match winning streak against Top 10 opponents.

Murray earned 1,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €717,315 in prize money with his first ATP World Tour title since July 2015 at the Rogers Cup in Montreal (d. Djokovic). He is now 22-5 on the season.

Murray broke Djokovic in the fourth game of the 47-minute first set, which was contested in light drizzle. The Scot saved three break points prior to breaking Djokovic for a 3-2 lead in the second set. Murray then hit a running backhand winner to break Djokovic to 15 and complete his 10th win in their 34-match series. It was also his first victory over Djokovic on clay.

Read How The Rome Final Was Won

Had Djokovic won, the Serbian would have become the first tennis player to exceed $100,000,000 in prize money and extend his own record with a 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 singles title.

Djokovic earned 600 points and €351,715 in prize money. He is currently tied at No. 7 on the all-time titles leaders list with Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras on 64 crowns. The World No. 1 is now 37-3 on the season, which includes five titles.

In 1931, Hughes defeated France’s Henri Cochet 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 for the Italian title.