Marvellous Murray secures another title
Andy Murray wins his second title in as many weeks
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Sunday, 26, Oct 2008 09:08
Andy Murray has clinched his fifth title of the year after beating Andrey Golubev 6-1 6-1 to win the St Petersburg Open.
The 21-year-old retains his title after wrapping up victory in just 58 minutes against the Kazakhstan qualifier.
Britain's number one won his 12th consecutive match to add to his triumphs in Madrid, Doha, Marseille and Cincinnati in 2008.
The Scot made an explosive start and broke in the fourth and sixth games to clinch the opening set.
Golubev held serve in the first game of the second set before Murray reeled off four games in a row with two breaks.
The qualifier saved the first match point on his serve, but then double-faulted. Murray clinched his next match point with a thundering forehand to clinch the title.
Murray admitted he expected a tougher test against 21-year-old Golubev.
"I'm happy to win and to defend my title here," the world number four said.
Andrey performed very well this week and, I believe, has a good chance to become a top-ranked professional."
Murray now heads to Paris for next week's Masters Series where he will face either Cyprus' Marcos Baghdatis or American Sam Querrey in the second round, after receiving a first round bye.
The Dunblane teenager is likely to face Juan Martin del Potro or David Nalbandian in the quarter-finals and world number one Rafael Nadal in the semis.