Andy Murray became the fifth active player to lift 30 trophies on Sunday at the Erste Bank Open as he continued his bid to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for a seventh straight year.
Second seed Murray recovered to beat top seed David Ferrer, who is just one place lower than the Scot (No. 8) in the Emirates ATP Race To London, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 42 minutes to capture the Vienna title. Murray is now 110 points ahead of No. 9-placed Ferrer in the battle for a berth at next month’s season finale.
"The next few weeks are extremely important," said Murray. "Everyone is playing next week. I just need to win as many matches as possible to keep hold of the eighth spot [in the Emirates ATP Race To London] or go higher."
“I am proud to win 30 tournaments and I will keep doing my best to win more.”
The 27-year-old Murray is the third Briton to clinch the Vienna crown afterGreg Rusedski (d. Kiefer) and Tim Henman (d. Haas) won back-to-back in 1999 and 2000. He received €94,500 in prize money and 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points.
"It was very tough, with lots of long rallies and long games," said Murray. "The third set was very back and forth, so mentally it was quite a tough match for both of us. I managed to be a bit more consistent and aggressive at the end."
Ferrer, who had beaten Murray in last week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters third round, secured the first service break for a 4-2 lead, but Murray immediately bounced back. Two loose forehands cost Murray, when he served at 5-6.
Murray saved all six break points he faced in the second set, which included breaks of the Ferrer serve in the third and seventh games. Murray won five straight games en route to a 2-0 lead in the decider, before Ferrer mounted a comeback.
Ferrer regrouped and took a 4-2 lead, only to be broken to 15 in the seventh game. The Spaniard served for the championship at 5-3, but was broken to 15 when he hit his seventh double fault of the pair’s 14th meeting. Murray grew in confidence to win four straight games, ending with an ace.
"I have reached the final, so it is positive," said Ferrer. "Andy played more aggressively than I did in the crucial moments and he deserved to win. Of course, I am disappointed as I lost the match having had a 5-3 lead [in the third set].
"I have a chance [to qualify]. There are two more weeks, which are important to get to London. I will try and be more positive next week."
Ferrer had been looking to record his 50th match win of the season and his 22nd ATP World Tour trophy. Murray and Ferrer could meet in next week’sValencia Open 500 semi-finals.
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