Andy Murray wins Queen's Club Championship for a record fifth time

By James Dielhenn

Andy Murray wins for the fifth time at Queen's

Andy Murray has become the most successful player at Queen's Club after beating Milos Raonic to claim an historic fifth title ahead of Wimbledon.

The British No 1 ran out 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Aegon Championship on Sunday to successfully defend last year's title and earn a record haul.

Murray overcame a slow start to demonstrate his grass court prowess against the world No 9 with Wimbledon just a week away.

Image: Andy Murray won a fifth title at Queen's Club

Raonic's trademark serve never looked likely to let him down in the opening set, although Murray was able to keep pace when he had the ball in hand.

After seven games, neither player had lost a single point on their first serve and the opening set didn't offer any break points - Raonic's thunderbolt serve was his trump card yet Murray matched it.

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Andy Murray wins for the fifth time at Queen's

A tie-break was required to separate them and Raonic finally created some daylight with a three-point lead. Murray valiantly hauled himself back in with a shout but Raonic paired two forehand winners together to claim the first set.

Murray's anger spilled into the second set and a time violation contributed to the Brit falling a break behind. Murray soon found himself 3-0 down having failed to win a point in either of Raonic's first two service games.

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Yet with renewed vigour and the crowd roaring him on, Murray put together five consecutive games including two breaks of serve. The crucial first break came after a magnificent backhand winner directly from Raonic's serve, giving him the impetus to streak ahead in the second set.

Image: Raonic's power faded in the third set

By the third set Murray was in control and immediately broke by ending a 24-shot rally with a drop shot. Raonic, from this point, was chasing shadows and gave up his serve in the final game to hand Murray a magical fifth Queen's title.

Murray said: "This tournament has loads of history... it's a pleasure to play in front of someone like John McEnroe... and any time you can do something a bit better than someone like him, it's an amazing feeling.

"To win here for a fifth time means a lot to me."

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