Murray Clinches Surbiton Title

Andy Murray captured his second ATP Challenger Tour title of the season on Sunday when he triumphed on home soil at the Lexus Surbiton Trophy. The former World No. 1 defeated Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 6-2 in a rain-disrupted final at the ATP Challenger Tour 125 grass-court event.

The 36-year-old, who dropped just one set en route to the title, is the oldest grass-court champion in Challenger history (since 1978). The Scot is also just the sixth player to win Challenger titles on both clay and grass in the same season, having lifted the trophy in Aix-en-Provence, France, last month.

"Grass-court tournaments are not easy ones to win but it is brilliant to win another one," Murray said. "My kids are always asking me when I go away if I can come home with the trophy and it has been rare... I think they were watching on the TV. I will bring home the trophy tonight."

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In a high-quality performance, Murray was strong on serve and sharp around the net. He won 83 per cent (29/35) of his first-serve points and moved forward effectively to quickly close points. After clinching the first set, Murray raced into a 3-1 lead in the second before it began raining. Following a two-hour, 52-minute delay, the Scot came out firing, hammering the ball off both wings to triumph after 69 minutes.

"It is a good win. Jurij has played brilliant the whole week. He had won all his matches pretty comfortably and started the match really well today," Murray said. "I am happy to get through and it has been the perfect start to the grass season."

Murray, currently No. 44 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, will compete at a Challenger event in Nottingham next week. The 36-year-old has often found his best level on grass, winning two Wimbledon titles (2013, 16) and a record five Queen's Club crowns (2009, 11, 13, 15, 16).