Andy Murray was overcome with emotion after ending a burdensome title drought that stretched all the way back to his glorious Wimbledon triumph.
Mum Judy wept along too, taking time out from Strictly Come Dancing commitments to watch on television as Murray came back from the brink of defeat to beat Tommy Robredo in the final of the Shenzhen Open yesterday.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Murray broke down in tears after a 5-7, 7-6 (11/9), 6-1 victory, a success that was just the tonic for the Scot, who entered the modest ATP 250 tier event because of his impatience to experience the thrill of winning a tournament.
He was also aiming to strengthen his prospects of qualifying for the end-of-year Tour Finals, and Murray is now closing in rapidly on a place among the elite eight players who will convene at the O2 in November, climbing to 10th place in the Race to London.
The 27-year-old faced five match points in a second-set tie-break, four of them in succession from 6-2 behind, but saved them with some of his best tennis, and then breezed through the decider as Robredo struggled physically.
“Today was obviously an incredibly tough match, the conditions are so hard to play in,” said Murray.
“I got lucky, basically, at the end of the second set. I fought hard, tried my best and thankfully managed to turn it round. Tommy had a great tournament. He probably deserved to win the match today.”
Victory gave Murray his first silverware since parting ways with Ivan Lendl in March and pairing up with French coach Amelie Mauresmo in June.
Murray acknowledged the support from within his entourage and family. He said: “I want to thank my team and I want to thank my friends and family back home and especially my girlfriend (Kim Sears). She’s supported me a lot through this week. It’s been a very tough week for me.”
Spaniard Robredo could barely walk to the net come the end of a gruelling contest played in intense heat in southern China, with Murray’s remarkably high levels of fitness being richly rewarded.
