Murray beats Robredo to win first title in 15 months

The Brit, who had failed to reach a final of an ATP event since his historic Wimbledon win over Novak Djokovic in 2013, was sluggish throughout the opening stanza and was guilty of far too many errors. Robredo, on the other hand, found his rhythm quickly and took advantage of Murray's wayward game to claim the first set.World number 11 Murray, who desperately required the ATP points in order to qualify for the season-ending ATP Tour World Finals in London, was much improved in the second set, but appeared on course for certain defeat when he trailed 6-2 in the tiebreak, only to reel off four straight points as Robredo tightened when on the brink of victory.The pair both wasted chances to seal the set as they mixed glorious winners with nervy misses, with Robredo wasting his fifth match point at 7-6, before Murray eventually blasted an unstoppable forehand to take it 11-9 and force a decider.Murray then broke Robredo three times in the third set with the Spaniard, also chasing a first win of the year, appearing hampered by injury as he failed to chase down balls."Today was obviously an incredibly tough match...and I got lucky at the end of the second set," Murray said in a courtside interview."I fought hard and I tried my best and thankfully managed to turn it around."Tommy had a great tournament, he probably deserved to win the match today. He had the opportunities in the second set but sometimes that happens in sport. I just tried to fight to the end."The victory at the $590,230 outdoor hardcourt event boosted Murray's hopes of making a sixth appearance at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London in November after he was forced to withdraw from the event last year through injury.The 27-year-old Scot moved up to 10th by adding 250 points to his tally and is within 105 points of Czech Tomas Berdych in the eight and final qualifying spot.The victory, the 29th of his career, came after a difficult week for the normally shy Briton, who received horrendous abuse on social media for supporting Scottish independence in a referendum earlier this month."I want to thank my friends and family back home, especially my girlfriend - she supported me a lot this week, it's been a very tough week for me and they have supported me," said an emotional Murray.A despondent Robredo, who had bullied the Briton with a bruising forehand for the opening two sets, took little satisfaction from his second runners-up finish of the year."It's tough to accept when you are so close," Robredo said during the prize giving."Anyway Congratulations Andy, he did a great job he fought to the end and at the end his deserved it."(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)Bakudaily.Az