Andy Murray overcame a slow start to defeat Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-2 to claim a maiden Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
In the tournament’s 25th year of existence, world number one Andy Murray took on dangerous Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in what was their 14th meeting. Both men started tense and with nervousness as the opening three games went with the returner as the world number 35 lead 2-1.
Verdasco would provide the first hold of serve after a tough service game to grab the advantage for a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard was entertaining the local crowd with thrilling power shots that were hitting all the angles and causing Murray all sorts of problems. However that was the end of Verdasco’s dominance and a superb Murray raced into top gear to win five games in a row to grab the first set 6-3.
The second set saw a more consistent start from the Brit as he would break the Spaniard’s resistance for a 2-1 lead. Despite an increase in first serve percentage for Verdasco it wasn’t enough as Murray pummelled the ball into submission and outclassed the Spaniard. Murray broke in the seventh game and then held in the game after to seal a 6-3 6-2 win in 1 hour and 13 minutes.
A really good performance from Murray who collects his 1st title of 2017 and the 45th of his career. Meanwhile Verdasco will also be pleased with his performance this week beating the likes of Roberto Bautista Agut and Gael Monfils. It shows that he can be a real threat to the big players, but still shows that he needs to tighten up a few key areas in his game.
Both players will look to continue their form heading to the BNP Paribas Masters in California next week.
