Top seed Andy Murray dismissed unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2 in the final of the Valencia Open on Sunday 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 in a television interview.
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.
