Andy Murray wins Virtual Madrid Open after beating David Goffin in final in dramatic tiebreak

Virtual champion: Andy Murray beat David Goffin in the Virtual Madrid Open.
Facebook/Mutua Madrid Open
Joe Krishnan30 April 2020

Andy Murray has won the final of the Virtual Madrid Open after beating David Goffin.

The former British No1 was handed a way into the final after a sporting gesture from Diego Schwarzman, following a series of technical issues in their semi-final match.

Goffin, who had beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas, proved a tough opponent and took Murray to a tiebreak, but the Scot held his nerve to the virtual crown at the end of the four-day tournament, the first to be held with professionals only.

The 32-year-old was forced to apologise for swearing in the semi-final after watching poor connection and bizarre glitches disrupt his match against the Argentine in the last four.

But he had no such problems when taking on Goffin, who had been unbeaten up until the final.

Murray was the favourite to win the Vrtual Madrid Open and duly delivered 
AFP via Getty Images

Murray was only in the final thanks to Schwartzman's act of kindness. He had won in the tiebreak 10-6 but having watched the game produce some bizarre decisions against Murray, he showed his sporting side and admitted Murray deserved to go through.

“I don’t deserve to be in the final,” Schwartzman told Murray. “You play the final.

“If you’re in Europe the transmission is much better because of the internet.”

In the women's draw, Kiki Bertens made it back-to-back wins at the Madrid Open after thrashing Fiona Ferro 6-1.

The Dutch world no. 6 won the real-life tournament in 2019, beating Simona Halep in the final, and can now celebrate her title as virtual champion along with Murray/Goffin after overcoming Ferro.

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