Andy Murray and Kiki Bertens capture inaugural Madrid Open Virtual Pro titles

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Andy Murray and David Goffin in Virtual Madrid Open final

Andy Murray and Kiki Bertens walked away with the inaugural Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro trophies after beating David Goffin and Fiona Ferro in the finals respectively.

Murray overcame Belgian Goffin on a tiebreak 7-6 (5) on PlayStation game Tennis World Tour in a competition arranged to replace the postponed Madrid Open, which the Scot has won twice in his career.

He said afterwards: “Of all the matches I played, that felt like a proper match, we were a similar level.

“It was good. I enjoyed it, there’s not much we can do just now, we spend most of the days indoors and can’t get out much so it was a fun thing to do.”

Former world number one Murray was gifted a route into the showpiece following some bizarre technical glitches in his semi-final against Diego Schwartzman on Thursday afternoon.

The Argentinian unfathomably kept being awarded points, a situation which led Murray to say: “This is madness.”

Schwartzman won a tiebreak – despite the last point being a winner from Murray – but the South American graciously stepped aside.

A tournament statement said: “Due to technical problems with @dieschwartzman’s connection that prevented him from competing normally in his semi-final match, the players have agreed that @andy_murray should progress to the #MMOPEN Virtual Pro final.”

Dutchwoman Bertens, who won last year’s Madrid Open, saw off Ferror 6-1 in the women’s final.

“Once I got the message asking if I wanted to compete in this tournament, I said, ‘Of course,’ and I needed to get practicing on a PlayStation as soon as possible, because once I’m doing something, I want to do it right. I’m feeling great. My first virtual tournament and getting the win is always nice!” Bertens said.

The charity initiative will donate €50,000 (£43,600) to the Madrid Food Bank to help reduce the social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The winner of each tournament received €150,000 (about £130,000) from which they will be able to decide how much they donate to their colleagues on the tour who have been worst affected by the sport’s shutdown.

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Andy Murray Kiki Bertens

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