ANDY MURRAY will target Olympic Games and US Open glory after clinching the biggest title of his career.
The British No.1 climbed to a personal high of sixth in the world rankings after beating Novak Djokovic in two tie-breaks in the final of the Cincinnati Masters Series event.
Murray will be Great Britain's representative in the singles tournament
at the Olympics in Beijing, where the likes of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will also be gunning for medals. He will also team up with brother Jamie in the doubles event.
Djokovic had beaten Nadal in the Cincinnati semi-finals, but for the second time in a fortnight Murray got the better of his fellow 21-year-old.
"I've beaten Novak twice in the last couple of weeks now and he's obviously played great all week," said Murray.
"It gives me a lot of confidence going into the Olympics and US Open."
The Scot is determined to improve on his record at the highest level, having reached his first grand slam quarter-final at Wimbledon.
Murray believes the sixth tournament victory of his career is a sign he is ready to improve on that record, with the US Open following the upcoming Olympics. "It's huge. Masters Series titles are so huge to win," said Murray. "I played five matches in five days in this sort of heat against guys like Novak, (Carlos) Moya and (Ivo) Karlovic.
"They're all tough matches. It's a great test physically and all the work off the court is paying off.
"I've got to try to stay grounded and get back to the gym and practice court, and make sure I don't get too ahead of myself because I've only made one quarter-final at a slam and never gone deeper than that, and that's got to be my next goal."
Murray produced a stunning performance to overcome the Serb 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in a thrilling final in Ohio.
"It's huge because to win these tournaments is tough nowadays," said the Dunblane player after his win in two hours and 23 minutes.
There were some jitters towards the end as he needed six match points to take victory but his title was richly deserved.
Murray dominated the Australian Open champion and world No.3 from the start and twice went close to breaking early on while comfortably holding his own serve. Djokovic held him off until a tie-break but Murray came through that with ease to take the opening set. Murray was broken early in the second set but immediately broke back and then repeated the dose in game eight to edge ahead.
That put Murray in sight of the title but four match points were squandered as Djokovic rallied and produced his best tennis.
Djokovic broke to take the set to a tie-break but, after a number of long rallies, Murray eventually prevailed on his sixth match point.
"I got very nervous and he was hitting the ball really big but I hung in well," Murray added.
"It was tough for both of us and there were a lot of long rallies.
"Your legs really burn out there and they were some of the hardest conditions of the year. But I stayed calm throughout and didn't waste any energy – especially when I went behind in a couple of matches.
"In the past maybe I'd have let that get to me but now I'm playing top players on a regular basis and I'm better equipped."
Djokovic, a rival of Murray's from their junior days, paid tribute to his friend.
He said: "Well done to Andy. It is his first Masters Series but I am sure there are going to be a lot more."
Murray added: "We've known each other since we were 14 and to think six or seven years ago we'd have been playing in finals like this would have been unbelievable.
"I'd also like to thank my team.
"I've been working with them for seven or eight months now. And I forgot my brother (Jamie]. He's sometimes more of a hindrance but thanks anyway!
"I've really enjoyed this week and I'm looking forward to coming back next year and defending my title."
Murray's fine start to the North American hardcourt season has seen him climb to a career-high sixth in the latest ATP rankings.
The British No.1's previous best was eighth, attained in June 2007, but a semi-final appearance in the Toronto Masters last month, followed by last night's victory over Djokovic, have seen him leap three places in today's rankings.
Murray has swapped places with Andy Roddick, now lying in ninth place, while Roger Federer hangs on to the No.1 spot, although the Swiss will now inevitably be overtaken by Spain's Rafael Nadal later this month.
The full article contains 811 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
