Andy Murray of Britain returns a shot during his men's singles tennis match against David Ferrer of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai October 9, 2014. REUTERS/Aly Song
Andy Murray of Britain returns a shot during his men's singles tennis match against David Ferrer of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai October 9, 2014. REUTERS/Aly Song REUTERS

Andy Murray has moved up to fifth spot in the latest Association of Tennis Professionals, or ATP Race to London Rankings. Murray defeated Tommy Robredo in the gruesome three-hour finale at the 2014 Valencia Open, 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(8).

It was Murray's 20th match in more than five weeks. Murray and Robredo battled it out in three hours and 20 minutes, which was believed to be the longest final of the year on the ATP World Tour. Murray saved five match points in the match, pretty much like what happened when he denied Robredo in the finals of the Shenzen Open on Sept. 28.

Both Murray and Robredo fought hard to claim the Valencia Open title, but the Scot eventually sealed the victory. At 3-3 in the first set, Murray's forehand into the net allowed Robredo to break the tie for 4-3. The Spaniard claimed the first set. Murray took the second and finals sets with big forehand winners and won the tie-breaker to win his second Valencia trophy, which he first won in 2009.

The Valencia Open title was Murray's 31st career singles title. He received an additional 200 points that boosted his ranking for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Aside from Murray, the other athletes who are on a quest to qualify in the season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena are Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Milos Raonic, and Grigor Dimitrov.

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Speaking after the match via The Guardian, Murray said that the match had made him and Robredo exhausted. He knew that he tried his best to play good tennis but he was still in awe how he managed to earn a victory.

"When you have to work hard for something it means more, you get more satisfaction from it," Murray said. "I kept fighting and it stands me in good stead for the end of this year and the beginning of next."

The title in Valencia was the second title that Murray had won in October. He previously won the title in the Vienna Open after beating David Ferrer of Spain, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, on Oct. 19. Murray is 56-17 in the current season.

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