Murray makes history with comeback win at Queen's
Milos Raonic appeared set to triumph at Queen's on Sunday, but a stunning fightback from Andy Murray saw the Briton make history.
Andy Murray's impressive form continued as the world number two came from a set and a break down to beat Milos Raonic 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 and claim a record fifth title at Queen's.
Sunday's final of the grass-court event brought together two players who have each made high-profile coaching hires in recent weeks, Murray reuniting with Ivan Lendl after Raonic had added three-time Wimbledon singles champion John McEnroe to his team.
McEnroe has touted Raonic as a potential winner at SW19 and the Canadian certainly looked capable of such a feat as he seized control of the match.
Yet top seed Murray – a finalist at the French Open a fortnight ago – dug deep to turn things around and add to his previous successes at Queen's in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Raonic edged an opening set that contained no break points as both players served impressively. Having earned a first set point on the Murray serve in the tie-break, Raonic produced a powerful backhand that his opponent could only defend at the net, before ripping a forehand winner to the home hope's right.
If losing the first set represented a concern for Murray, he was in big trouble at the start of the second when the aggressive Raonic – with his forehand proving particularly effective – completed two emphatic love holds either side of breaking to 15.
However, from 3-0 down, Murray suddenly burst back into life and a stunning backhand return winner saw him get back on serve as Raonic was broken for the first time this week, in his 56th service game of the tournament.
Remarkably, that maiden break of the Raonic serve was followed immediately by a second, the third seed netting a forehand under pressure from a re-energised rival.
Murray duly served out the set to level the match and broke yet again to move 1-0 up in the decider, a delightful drop shot ending a lengthy rally.
There was to be no way back for Raonic, who could not rediscover his earlier form as Murray claimed another popular triumph on home soil with Wimbledon just over a week away.