ANDY MURRAY celebrated his 29th birthday by beating Novak Djokovic on clay for the first time to win the Italian Open title Sunday in a match that Djokovic argued should have been stopped due to rain.

    Gaining a measure of revenge for his loss to Djokovic in the Madrid Open final a week ago, the third-ranked Murray defeated the top-ranked Serb 6-3, 6-3.

    “The finals of a Masters series on clay is something that’s a new experience for me,” Murray said. “It’s nice to still be sort of achieving new things and reaching new goals at this stage of my career.’’

    During the trophy ceremony, Murray was presented with a birthday cake. He dedicated the title to his three-month-old daughter, Sophia Olivia.

    “I feel like that’s what I’m playing for now so that in a few years hopefully she can be proud of what I have achieved,” Murray said.

    Earlier, Serena Williams ended a nine-month title drought with a 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over Madison Keys in an all-American women’s final.

    Williams’ previous title came in Cincinnati in August — a month before her attempt at a calendar-year Grand Slam ended with a semifinal loss to Roberta Vinci at the U.S. Open.

    It’s Murray’s first title in Rome and it comes exactly a week before the French Open begins.

    The only other British man to win the Italian Open was Pat Hughes in 1931.

    Djokovic had won all four of their previous matches on clay but had to fight fatigue following draining wins over Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori.

    Djokovic also played with a bandage on his left ankle after bruising himself with his racket a day earlier.

    For much of the men’s final, steady rain fell and fans covered themselves with ponchos and held up umbrellas to keep themselves dry. Djokovic argued several times with chair umpire Damian Steiner over the court conditions, saying it was too slippery.(SD-Agencies)