DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nasungkit ni Andy Murray ang unang titulo sa ATP ngayong taon at tanghaling unang Briton na nagwagi ng Dubai Tennis Championships sa 25 taong kasaysayan ng torneo matapos gapiin si Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-2, nitong Sabado (Linggo sa Manila).
Sumabak si Murray sa ikapitong finals sa huling walong torneo at ika-14 sa huling 16 kabilang ang Madrid Open noong Mayo. Ang dalawang torneo na nabigo siyang makausad sa championship match ay ang 2016 US Open at 2017 Australian Open.
“It’s been a great run. Can’t complain about much,” pahayag ni Murray.
“Giving yourself a lot of matches gives you confidence to go into those big events (Grand Slams).”
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Ang Dubai Open ang unang torneo na nilahukan ni Murray mula nang matalo sa fourth round ng Australian Open nitong Enero.
“After the break that I have had, to get five matches in, six if you include the doubles, in six days is a really positive thing physically,” aniya.
Nahila rin ng top-ranked na si Murray ang head-to-head career duel kay Verdasco sa 13-1. Sa nakalipas na 12 pagkakataon, hindi pa nakapanalo ang 35th-ranked na si Verdasco, dating top-10 player, sa nakaribal na No.1 ranked rival.
“He pushes you. At the same time, I didn’t really feel, of course, as comfortable or hitting the ball as clean as days before,” sambit ni Verdasco.
