Toronto champion!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Andy has successfully defended his Canadian Masters 1000 crown with a 7-5 7-5 victory over Roger Federer in a rain affected Rogers Cup final.

His first career win over Federer in finals, and his first ATP title of 2010 Andy also becomes the first player to post back-to-back titles in Canada since Andre Agassi.

Whilst neither player hit the heights they had in their previous matches, this was still an absorbing encounter with both players falling foul of three frustrating second set rain delays.

But it was Andy who started stronger and, most crucially finished stronger despite his opponent hitting top form as he tried to take the match to a third set.

With the match starting beneath clear skies Andy flew out of the traps, breaking twice for a 3-love lead courtesy of the same attacking intent that had served him so well against Nalbandian and Nadal.

The Swiss recovered the breaks, but some inspired play from Andy – including an audacious lob off a drop shot – saw him break again for 6-5, and he served the set out with relative ease.

The second set was in its infancy when the gathering rain clouds intervened, meaning Andy would come out serving at 30-love with Federer leading 2-1.

And whilst he held comfortably on that occasion, both he and the Swiss would surrender consecutive service games in two further interruptions.

Then, just as the set appeared headed to a tie break Andy managed to close out the third of three break points; a rasping cross court pass creating a simple put away, and the 6-5 lead.

Federer made some ridiculous returns as Andy served for the title, but his break point chance evaporated in the face of back-to-back aces.

And the Canadian title was Andy’s again when Federer floated a forehand long on his second championship point.

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