Murray Clinches Japan Open Against Nadal
Murray Beats Nadal in 3-sets
Andy Murray came from a set down in the final of the Japan Open to win in 3-sets against World Number 2 Rafa Nadal. The title is Murray's second in a row after his triumph at the Thailand Open earlier this month.
Murray had lost his previous 5 matches to the Spaniard and looked set to lose a sixth after an unimpressive first set saw him struggle with his serve, losing 6-3. Murray began to find some form in the second however and broke Nadal in the fourth game of the set and held his serve to take a commanding 4-1 lead. From that point on Murray never looked back as he began to play some scintillating tennis, hitting 6 aces over the course of the match. Murray secured a second break of serve and won the 2nd set 6-2.
The final set was all Murray as he broke Nadal three times, losing a remarkable four points in total. Murray comfortably saw out the set 6-0 to take the title, and despite the surprising third-set score, Nadal didn't appear to be showing any signs of an injury. The title takes Murray closer to his aim of usurping Roger Federer to take the World Number 3 ranking.
The day could get even better for Murray as he is set to compete in the Doubles Final with his brother Jamie against the fourth-seeded pairing of Frantisek Cermak and Filip Polasek.