Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2017: ATP Scores and Results from Saturday

Andy Murray chalked up his first trophy of 2017 with a comprehensive, straight-sets victory over Fernando Verdasco in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

In the seventh final in his last eight events, the Scot won 6-3, 6-2 without really breaking a sweat to cement his status as world No. 1.

Verdasco had his moments throughout the match, but Murray was just too strong and good value for the trophy in Dubai—his 45th career title.

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Murray came into Saturday’s final as the overwhelming favourite to take home the title, having enjoyed a lot of success against Verdasco in previous meetings, but he didn’t get off the best of starts.

The Scot lost his first two service games and looked very wobbly with the ball in his hand, sending Verdasco into a deserved 3-1 lead.

From then on, however, the World No. 1 clicked into gear and started to play the kind of tennis we’ve become accustomed to.

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Murray chalked off three straight games to find himself 4-3 to the good and back on serve.

Verdasco was clearly shell-shocked by such a rally, as despite going 40-0 up in the eighth game, he completely collapsed to allow Murray to serve for the set.

And the Scot needed no second invitation—winning the ninth game to love to take the first 6-3. The Times’ Stuart Fraser commented on Murray’s excellent comeback:

Verdasco needed to get off to a fast start in the second to stand any chance of finding a way back into the match, and he duly did by getting the better of Murray in a tense game.

George Bellshaw of Metro reflected on Verdasco going 1-0 up, saying it was a must-win game.

"

Verdasco thumps down a couple of big serves to hold. You have to feel that was important if he's to make a stab of this match...

— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) March 4, 2017"

Still, his fortune was short lived, as the Scot rattled off a routine service game before breaking the Spaniard and closing in on the title.

From then on, Verdasco’s head seemed to drop a little and Bellshaw said the match was as good as over:

"

Verdasco broken in the second set and this feels over already...

— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) March 4, 2017"

Murray broke his opponent’s serve once again to lead 5-2 before chalking up another service game to love to win the title. The World No. 1 capped it all off with a stunning ace, as per Tennis TV:

Following the match, Murray said he was delighted to win his first Dubai title and lauded his ideal start to the year, via BBC Sport:

"

I'm obviously very happy to do it here for the first time. It's been a good start to the year. It's been quite a few late finishes this week. Maybe the last couple of matches, I didn't start as well as I would like. It's been the same for all the players, a bit tricky with the rain. Once I got going today, I was moving well and I finished strong.

"

Next up for Murray is a trip to California for the Indian Wells Masters, and although he lost there in only the third round last year, he comes into the tournament with plenty of momentum.

The World No. 1 enjoyed a phenomenal 2016 and looks in the perfect form to enjoy another fruitful 12 months in 2017.