Murray downs Tsonga to reach final at Montreal and No. 2 ranking

Murray beats Tsonga, reaches Montreal final

MONTREAL — Andy Murray reached the Rogers Cup final and the world’s No. 2 ranking with a 6-4, 7-6 (8) victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Saturday.

Murray jumped over Rafael Nadal and into his highest career ranking, just behind No. 1 Roger Federer. Nadal, on the mend from knee trouble, lost in the quarterfinals at Montreal on Friday night.

Murray will play in the final against the winner of a match scheduled for later Saturday between Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick.

“In terms of rankings, that’s the biggest step I’ve taken so far,” Murray said. “I played consistently well this year. … Rafa had an injury, but it was Wimbledon that he missed.

“I also took a big break after Wimbledon. … I’ve done enough to justify being No. 2. And getting close to one day becoming No. 1 is one of my goals. So it’s great. I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to this stage.”

The 22-year-old Murray has a chance to become the first British player to win the event formerly known as the Canadian Open. The last Briton to reach the final was Roger Taylor, who lost in 1970 to Rod Laver.

Murray, already the highest-rated British player since ATP rankings were introduced in 1973, is the first person other than Nadal or Federer to hold the No 2 spot since July 18, 2005, when Lleyton Hewitt was second behind Federer. Murray has 8,850 points, 185 more than Nadal.

“Five years it’s been Rafa and Roger as No. 1 and No. 2,” Murray said. “Novak (Djokovic) had one or two matches to get to No. 2, so it’s a tough thing to do because Rafa and Roger are maybe the best two of all time. So yeah, it’s pretty special to get in between them.”

Nadal was playing his first tournament since the French Open in May due to tendinitis in both knees. He said this week he still has work to do to reach his top level of tennis.

Murray also tied Djokovic for the lead in match wins this year with 49, including tournament victories in Doha, Rotterdam, Miami and the Queen’s Club in England.

Murray broke service and held a 5-2 first-set lead when the streaky Tsonga broke back and threatened to tie it before the Scotland native served out the set.

The second set went to a tiebreaker in which Murray fought off two set points and finally won the Frenchman hit a backhand into the net.

Tsonga was coming off a dramatic three-set victory over Federer in which he trailed 5-1 in the third set only to rally and win in a tiebreaker.

“It’s always tough against him because he dictates what happens in the match because of the way he plays,” Murray said. “I just had to stay solid and make enough balls for him to make a few mistakes, and I came up with a few big returns.”