ROUNDUPD: Murray wins Cincy as Djokovic quits with shoulder injury

By Bill Scott Aug 22, 2011, 0:42 GMT

Cincinnati, Ohio - World number one Novak Djokovic quit with shoulder pain on Sunday to lose a match for only the second time this season, as Andy Murray won the Cincinnati Masters 6-4, 3-0.

Djokovic, who has won 57 matches and nine titles in 2011, will now have a week to rest before the start of the US Open.

The Serb lasted only 71 minutes on court, quitting moments before a downpour drenched players and spectators and put the start of the women's final in doubt.

Djokovic said the shoulder problem has worsened over the last week or so.

'I was quite exhausted playing many matches, but the exhaustion is not the reason. I just could not serve. I served an average 90 miles per hour the first serve. I could have maybe played another couple of games, but what for?' he asked.

'It's unfortunate that I had to finish this way. I really tried. It didn't make sense for me to continue. The good thing is that there is a week - eight days - to the start of the US Open. So I think that's enough time for me to get ready.

'I cannot beat a player like Murray today with one stroke. But I'm confident that I can recover and be ready for the US Open.'

Murray, winner of the title over Djokovic in 2008, claimed his second trophy of the season following Queen's club in June in London.

'It was really a good week after I struggled last week. It was unfortunate the way it ended, but I thought the first set, after the first couple of games, was a good standard. A lot of long rallies, good points - it's been good preparation for New York,' Murray said.

'The plan is to be feeling perfect going into the Grand Slams. That's really been my goal this year - and done a good job at it so far.'

Trailing 0-3 in the second set, Djokovic walked to the sidelines and shook hands, and the skies opened moments later.

Murray's win was his seventh Masters 1000 title and left him 2-1 in finals this season. He improved to 18-9 in finals.

Djokovic exited after compiling a 57-2 record with nine titles so far in 2011.

Murray lifted his career mark against the Serb to 4-6. Murray had complained of hamstring pain during his Saturday semi-final win over Mardy Fish but showed no signs of physical problems in the final.

Maria Sharapova picked up her second title of the season with a comeback defeat of Serb Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

Sharapova won her last three montjs ago in Rome and goes into the US Open riding a wave of confidence.

The Russian improved on her 2010 runner-up showing in her Cincinnati debut with the defeat of Jankovic, the 2008 winner.

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