Andy Murray has beaten world number one Novak Djokovic in three sets to clinch a third Rogers Cup title.

The Scot, now ranked second in the world, edged out his Serbian counterpart 6-4 4-6 6-3 in just over three hours in Montreal to deny Djokovic his fourth crown.

Murray looked to impose himself early in the first set, and he soon moved ahead with a memorable break in the fourth game having made use of the best part of six attempts to defeat the Serbian's serve.

Just as Murray looked to be advancing to an important first-set lead, Djokovic broke back at 4-3 to keep himself in with a shout, before the Scot came back to hold his nerve with an important second break, as his opponent netted on the forehand in the 10th to hand Murray the first advantage.

The second set began with Murray seeking to secure a dominant foothold, but Djokovic had other ideas when he produced a break in the first game with some neat work on the forehand.

Britain's number one was not about to be unsettled, however, as he came back with another break of his own in the sixth to tie proceedings at 3-3.

Murray's joy was not to last too long, though, given that Djokovic bounced back straight away with yet another break to make it 4-3 following a nervy-looking forehand error from Murray.

Continuing with some clinical tennis, Djokovic made light work of the rest of the set as he cruised to a 6-4 victory to establish a third-set decider with things locked at one each overall.

Both players were given a hard-earned break before the third, and the stoppage appeared to favour Murray as he claimed a vital break in the final set's second game, having battered an impressive return beyond his opponent with four service holds in the bag.

The 28-year-old's game continued to get the better of Djokovic as Murray pushed himself into a 3-0 lead, his best tennis coming off some impressive backhand execution from deep.

Djokovic almost brought himself back into the contest after an epic fourth game that lasted over 15 minutes, but the Serbian was eventually unable to break Murray, who held on desperately against seven break points to make it 4-1.

He soon found himself 5-2 up, before Djokovic salvaged two match points, but it was third time lucky for Murray as he saw out the contest to pick up a third title in Canada.