Murray floors Nadal to win Japan Open

Monday, 10 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

TOKYO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Andy Murray reduced Rafa Nadal’s granite-like resistance to rubble as he beat the Spaniard 3-6 6-2 6-0 to capture the Japan Open on Sunday.

It was the Briton’s second title in two weeks after winning in Bangkok and ended Nadal’s bid to become the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993-94 to retain the Tokyo crown.

Second seed Murray hit back brilliantly after losing the first set, breaking for 3-1 in the second and nervelessly saving triple break point in the next game with three cracking aces.

The Scot, who had been screaming at himself and pointing angrily at his box in the first set, levelled the match with a bullet backhand return Nadal could only dump into the net.

Nadal was then left to look tortured in the final set as an inspired Murray ripped winner after winner past the top seed, tearing through the decider in just 29 minutes.

Murray set up triple match point with another rocket forehand down the line before forcing a deflated Nadal into a loose backhand to clinch his 20th career title.