Murray reigns in Spain

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:06

The victory earned Murray his fourth ATP title of a hugely successful season, having already won in Cincinnati, Marseille and Doha.

The world number four, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last month, was made to sweat by the Frenchman but helped out by 10 aces he came out on top.

The Scot took the opening set after making the crucial break in the fifth game.

The opening four games of the match produced few scares, with neither of the duo losing more than a point in each of their two service games.

However, that soon changed as Murray earned three break points in the fifth game and, despite Simon pulling two points back – including one with a blistering two-handed backhand, Murray held on to break and take a 3-2 lead.

That proved to be the only break of the set as the next four games went with serve before Murray, who on Saturday knocked out Swiss superstar Roger Federer to reach the final, held his serve in the 10th game, winning with an ace.

Murray had an immediate chance to hammer home his advantage when he created another break point in the opening game of the second set.

However, two unforced errors by the Scot and a service return into the net scuppered Murray’s hopes of a break as Simon’s battling qualities again came to the fore.

Simon continued to frustrate Murray as the second set went to a tie-break. Murray quickly found himself 2-0 behind, but 21-year-old battled back before clinching the title when Simon’s attempted drop-shot drifted out.

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