Andy Murray's preparation for the US Open remained right on course last night as he clinched his first title of 2010 with a magnificent straights-set victory over Roger Federer in the final of the ATP Rogers Cup.
The defending champion prevailed 7-5, 7-5 after outlasting the former world No 1 in a match which was severely disrupted by two lengthy rain delays.
The win improved Murray's record against the Swiss ace to seven victories from their 12 meetings and also gave him an element of revenge after he was comprehensively beaten in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year.
It has taken the Scot some time to recover from that Melbourne setback but he was in sparkling form in Canada and appears in peak condition as he bids to land his first grand slam crown at the US Open which gets under way in two weeks.
Murray told atptour.com: "It was good for me to win today ? three good results in a row against (David) Nalbandian, Rafa (Nadal) and Roger, so that will give me confidence for next week.
"The US Open is the main goal but this is a good start. I played five days in a row from Wednesday ? all the matches right in the heat of the day so it was good for me physically.
"I'll try to keep it going in Cincinnati (at this week's Cincinnati Masters) but the most important thing is getting ready for the US Open."
When the weather relented it was Murray who forced the issue, his new-found aggressive approach paying dividends against a strangely subdued Federer.
"It was very difficult today," said the 23-year-old. "I was up a lot in the first set and probably should have won it a bit easier. I managed to stay tough mentally, which is always tough against Roger because he started to play some great tennis, but it's a great way to finish the week ? I played very well.
"I think (the rain delays) affected both of us. It is difficult. It broke our momentum.
"Roger was playing better at the end of the first set and when we came back out I broke him straightaway.
"It affected both of us a little bit but I managed to stay strong in the end."
* PA
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
