Monday 16 May 2016 08:28, UK
Andy Murray produced a 'perfect match' to defeat Novak Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters, according to Sky Sports expert Annabel Croft.
The British No 1 had suffered defeat to Djokovic in last Sunday's Madrid Open final, but he toppled his rival seven days later, completing an impressive 6-3 6-3 win.
Murray marked his 29th birthday with a 10th victory over Djokovic, just a week ahead of the French Open, and became the first British player since 1931 to lift the tournament's title.
Sky Sports expert Croft was hugely impressed with Murray's performance and believes he has worked hard to become one of the world's top players on clay.
"He sent messages very clear, and very early on that he was going to battle from the baseline," Croft told Sky Sports. "He was going to be aggressive and served really well.
It all came together in one perfect match and was fully deserved.
"It felt from very early on that Djokovic didn't have a lot left in the tank and he was very irritable, wasn't happy about the court surface, complaining quite a bit.
"I just think those matches took it out of him during the course of the week and he knew he was never going to get beyond this strong mind of Andy Murray out there.
"It all came together in one perfect match and was fully deserved. It almost feels like all that hard work and extra work he's put into that serve - everything he's been doing to play well on this surface has paid off."
Murray was beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, but Croft feels he will be instilled with fresh confidence after rediscovering a winning formula against the Serb.
"Well of course it's hugely significant, because it's a win and it just creates a tiny bit of doubt in Novak Djokovic's mind," said Croft.
"Andy seeks every single ounce that he can find of tactical awareness of trying to play Novak Djokovic. He said he was going to get the tapes out after that match in Madrid and that was a very close match. He's obviously finding a bit of a combination.
"He's worked extremely hard for this victory. Wonderful, wonderful win on his birthday."
