Murray fights back to win record-breaking fifth Queen's title

Andy Murray won a record fifth title at Queen's as the Scot battled back from a set and a break down to beat Canada's Milos Raonic.
Great Britain's Andy Murray lifts the trophy.Great Britain's Andy Murray lifts the trophy.
Great Britain's Andy Murray lifts the trophy.

Murray looked destined for defeat when Raonic took the first set and then led 3-0 in the second, but the British No 1 pulled off another superb fightback to win 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-3.

It means Murray’s success at the Aegon Championships is now unparalleled, moving top of the list of champions and above four-time winners like Roy Emerson, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe.

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McEnroe was watching on courtside in his capacity as Raonic’s new coach but it was Murray’s mentor Ivan Lendl who got one over his old rival and maintained the perfect start to his second spell with the world No 2.

Lendl and McEnroe met 33 times in their careers, once at Queen’s when Lendl won 6-2 6-4 in 1990, but Murray was keen to stress the only contest relevant here was inside the white lines.

Intent perhaps to avoid the spotlight as well, Lendl dashed off at the end, choosing not to stay as his pupil was handed the trophy.

“It was nice of him to stick around for the presentation, I don’t know where he’s off to,” Murray joked. “It was obviously a good first week back together. It means a lot to win here.”

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Both players have certainly appeared boosted by their new charges last week and they will head to Wimbledon in seven days’ time as two of the most dangerous contenders in the draw.

Raonic’s serve, producing 14 aces in the match, remains his most potent strength but he has been visibly more eager to follow it up with volleys this week, and often to great effect.

Murray, meanwhile, has never struggled for resilience but this was a turnaround to rival some of the best in his career, sparked by two quick-fire breaks against the world No 9, who had previously not lost serve all tournament.

“Coming out here to win for the fifth time, I was really motivated,” Murray said.

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“This tournament has loads of history, it’s a great event with unbelievable crowds, the playing field every year is extremely strong.

“It’s a pleasure as well to play in front of someone like John (McEnroe).

“Usually he’s up in the commentary booth telling us what we should be doing better so to do something a little bit better here than someone like him is amazing.”

American Madison Keys beat Barbora Strycova to win the Aegon Classic in Birmingham yesterday.

The 21-year-old won 6-3 6-4 to clinch her first title in 2016.

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