Sport

Murray retains title

DOHA: Britain’s Andy Murray defeated Andy Roddick of the United States 6-4, 6-2 to retain his Qatar Open title on Saturday and boost his chances of a Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open.

Murray took victory in just 70 minutes, shrugging off fitness fears after he picked up a back injury in his semifinal win over Roger Federer on Friday, a fourth win in five meetings with the 13-time Grand Slam title winner.

Saturday’s victory was Murray’s sixth win in eight meetings with the American and his ninth career title.

The 21-year-old, who had also defeated both Federer and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at an exhibition event in neighbouring United Arab Emirates last week, will head to Melbourne confident of becoming Britain’s first male Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry in 1936.

Roddick continued with his policy coming to the net more than he used to, but Murray appeared to enjoy having a target.

But Murray’s serve is one of the most improved on the tour, and when he came to close out the first set he moved the delivery up another gear.

Now, after a longer and better off season in which he has lost several pounds of weight, Roddick says he is trying to emulate Andre Agassi — making sure he doesn’t try to play when he is not fit and being more careful about his schedule.

At Wellington, Olympic champion Elena Dementieva eased to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over fellow Russian Elena Vesnina to capture the Auckland Classic title on Saturday.

Dementieva, 27, wrapped up the victory in 88 minutes and completed the tournament without dropping a set.

“I played some good tennis, especially in the semifinal and final. It’s been a great beginning of the year,” she told a news conference.

At Brisbane, second-seeded Victoria Azarenka won her first WTA Tour title on Saturday, overpowering Marion Bartoli of France 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Brisbane International.

The 19-year-old Belorussian had lost four previous finals on the women’s tour but finished off third-seeded Bartoli, the 2007 Wimbledon finalist, in 1 hour, 11 minutes and completed the tournament without dropping a set.

The results:

At Doha: Qatar Open: Andy Murray bt Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2.

At Auckland: WTA Auckland Classic: Final: Elena Dementieva bt Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-1.

At Brisbane (Brisbane International): Women: Final: Victoria Azarenka bt Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-1.

Men: Semifinals: Fernando Verdasco bt Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-1; Radek Stepanek bt Richard Gasquet 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. — Agencies

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu