Eurosport - Sun, 08 Nov 16:31:00 2009
Britain's Andy Murray dismissed unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2 in the final of the Valencia Open to clinch a sixth title of the year on his return from injury.
The 22-year-old world number four, who before this week had not played on the ATP tour since September's US Open due to a wrist problem, was easily able to dictate the rhythm of the match on the hard court in the cathedral-like Agora arena.
Using his sliced backhand to excellent effect, he broke 23rd-ranked Youzhny to love to take a 3-1 lead and served for the opening set at 5-1 before the Russian hit back with a break of his own.
Some accurate serving gave Murray three set points two games later and he converted the second with his sixth ace.
The match followed a similar pattern in the second set, with Murray controlling the pace with ease and Youzhny committing far too many unforced errors.
The Scot went 4-0 ahead with two more breaks of serve and sealed victory with an eighth ace after one hour eight minutes of play.
"I expected a difficult match as he has been playing well recently but I served well and played smart and I'm happy to have won in two sets," Murray said.
He said his back and groin were feeling a bit stiff after Saturday's three-set semi-final against Fernando Verdasco.
"My body is hurting but the whole week was great as I haven't played in a long time," he added.
Murray's next event is the Paris Masters, the final tournament before the season-ending World Tour Finals in London from November 22-29.
Comment 53 - 72 of 72
Britwatch: Murray back with bang...,Murray completes perfect return...,Murray beats Youzhny to take Valencia title...,of course, this is "Murray sport", not Eurosport ! ! !
Of course Andy will win GS sooner or later.. he has enough quality for it, ...don’t question that people. Even that many people can find his game less attractive, I could say he is solid as a rock with that approach.
And Of course, I’m looking forward his future encounters with Novak.. I think it will be different outcome now ;-)
Definitely both guys now have more potential then the rest from top 5.. Del Po also grown up pretty fast.. he can be tremendous hitter , but I’m` not sure he is that good tactically, soory !
I-Give-Up-wif-U-Lot, you mention the smaller events, do you recall djoker entering belgrade this year, how many players inside the top 20 where also there?
Roger has mentioned his mono and his back problems. Rafa has knee problems and had a problem with his stomach. Djokovic has had a few physical problems. Roddick and Del Potro have been injured lately. ALL players can struggle with injury and they do get ASKED about it by the press. There is no reason for them to keep quite. If they have a problem then they have a problem. End of.
I-Give-Up-wif-U-Lot
I fink Mandy Wurray nil wever win a GS, he just does not have what it takes I'm affraid, he always seams to choose to play in the smaller events, I think he is affraid of RAFFA and ROGER, by the end of 2010 Andy will be ranked no.6 in the world, he will never get to number 2 again, that was purely on the injeries of the others!!
@ I-Give-Up-wif-U-Lot
I really hope your first language isn't English. Players are REQUIRED to play in so many 250/500 events so it's not that Andy chooses to play them. Andy doesn't fear anybody including Rafa and Roger. Since you mention injuries - why do you think Murray has dropped to number 4? HE has been injured or are you choosing to ignore that fact. No chance he will be no.6 next year. Now he's back from injury he will be moving back up the rankings. You had better get used to it.
And I think obviously the rest has actually done him good. So many are currently k-nackered, the poor blighters. Tough sport. Tough schedule. Tough...except the winnings!
Igor - I said something nice about Novak and I'm a fan of Andy's! After I saw him playing against Mac at the US I saw what a lovely chap he was - and he did some 9/11 stuff with some local kids if I remember rightly. He's pretty handsome, too. Certainly the looker in the sport at the moment in my humble opinion!
And might I say how very sporting of you, my man.
Oh Arthur you just know I am smiling like the Cheshire Cat, don't you! I will bring my photo back when he wins his deserved slam.....just hope my photo is still a true likeness of me by the time that happens!!!!!!!!
I fink Mandy Wurray nil wever win a GS, he just does not have what it takes I'm affraid, he always seams to choose to play in the smaller events, I think he is affraid of RAFFA and ROGER, by the end of 2010 Andy will be ranked no.6 in the world, he will never get to number 2 again, that was purely on the injeries of the others!!
I-Give-Up-Wif-You-Lot,
I think we all understand that you are a complete plonker!
But please carry on posting, it makes eveybody feel so superior.
I give up wif u lot!!!!! When will you lot listen, ANDY is only capable of handing out the oranges at the tennis tournaments of the greats like WIMBLEDON, ROGER verses RAFFA!!! Hope you lot understand now!!
GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE CIRCUIT - HOPE ALL THE INJURIES ARE TRULY HEALED - GOOD LUCK ANDY & KEEP THE WINNING STREAK GOING. xxx
Congratulation the six titles in 2009 Andy Murry you are deserved after long time injury. and best of luck of the rest of the season, and hopefully in 2010 become No 1
Sue, Andy has just returned from injury of course he's going to mention how he's feeling because he's going to be asked about it. Andy tends to keep problems a secret like when he lost at the oz open he kept it quiet that he was ill, he never makes excuses when he loses.
far from perfect, he has not faced anyone great yet!!! like ROGER!
great win andy, great to see you winning again, 6th title this year is amazing! good luck for the rest of the season and next year.
why the worry with murrays phisical problems. so what if he mentions it, you try chasing a 100mph tennis ball around a court for a couple of hours and see if you feel fresh or not?
Mateja, don't forget to put the light out on your way out.
SUE. Im sure Andy Murray will take some comfort out of the fact that you're so very interested in his health and well-being. Presumably you're glad he won.
Thanks Richard I was hoping they hadn't split up. When I said Andy was patting the ball back I meant that he was returning the ball half way up the court and waiting for his opponent to make mistakes and more often than not losing the point when his opponent hit the winner when it should have been him. I'm so happy that in Valencia he'd stopped doing that and was going for his shots and on occasions I was absolutely amazed at some of what he was able to do. Does anyone know if the BBC are showing the finals from the O2?
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