Tennis: Murray’s a winner

Oct 29 2008 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Wednesday

Murray’s a winner

WINNING is a habit that Andy Murray really seems to be getting used to after he successfully retained his St Petersburg Open title at the weekend.

He took the title in Russia again on Sunday with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-1 demolition job on Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan in just under an hour.

Being the top seed and defending champion in St Petersburg, Murray went into the tournament as clear favourite, and he certainly lived up to his billing.

The British number one sailed through all five matches to hold on to his crown without even dropping a set.

His march to victory also included an impressive 6-0, 6-3 win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the last four – whom he also beat in last year’s final.

This was Murray’s fifth title win of the year and followed his superb Madrid Masters win earlier this month.

Murray again had little time to reflect on his latest victory, however, as he was soon off to his next port of call, the BNP Paribas Masters in France.

A first round bye at least bought him a bit of time and he is now due to face USA’s Sam Querrey in round two in Paris this week.

Murray will be hoping to keep his superb winning streak going in the run up to the end of season Masters Cup in Shanghai, China, next month.

Jamie Murray is also scheduled to be in action in Paris this week as he this time partners Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic in the doubles tournament.

Jamie will at least have the inside track on one of their opponents – Max Mirnyi, his former playing partner with whom he has only recently parted company from. Mirnyi will be playing on the other side of the net this time alongside Croatia’s Marin Cilic.