Andy Murray lifted his first career Masters title as he beat Novak Djokovic for the second time in as many weeks claiming a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) win at the Cincinnati event today.
The Scot confirmed his rise to the number six world ranking with the win by remaining calm while Djokovic went into a partial meltdown.
But Murray had to work for it as Djokovic broke him while the eighth seed served for the win, saving four match points and pulling to 4-5. The Scott eventually won on his fifth chance in the second tiebreaker after two hour, 22 minutes.
Murray notched his second victory over the world number three after losing his first four meetings until last week's Toronto quarter-final success.
The Scot clocked the first British success at a Masters event since Tim Henman won Paris Bercy five years ago.
Murray said that playing all week in the heat was crucial to his chances on a another sunny afternoon.
"It was really hot but I've played all of my matches in these conditions," said Murray, 35-12 this season. "But by the end we were both tired, it was really getting to us."
Djokovic was unable to make an impression in the end after striking 46 unforced errors.
Murray was the third Briton to reach the final at Cincinnati after Henman and Mark Cox in 1977.
"I really struggled against him in the past," Murray said of Djokovic. "I had to change something.
"I played a bit more aggressive and served a little bit smarter than I had in the past, and obviously it worked.
"It's huge to win your first sort of major tournament, and to do it in a match like today makes it more special."
