Murray outlasts Ferrer to win Miami Masters

MIAMI: British second seed Andy Murray won the ATP Miami Masters title on Sunday, saving a match point in the penultimate game in defeating Spanish third seed David Ferrer 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1).

Murray captured his 26th career tour title, and second of the year after having taken the Brisbane crown, in a grueling two hours and 45 minutes.

Ferrer collapsed with a cramp two points from the finish and Murray took a stumble earlier in the final set in hot and humid conditions.

The endurance test was the second Miami title for Murray, who also won in 2009, and among his toughest.

Murray will rise to World No. 2, bumping his way ahead of Roger Federer, while Ferrer will move past Rafael Nadal to become fourth in the rankings, both men matching the best position of their careers with the improvement.

Nadal and Federer skipped this year's edition of the $8.5 million hardcourt event in Miami, which also included a WTA event won by Serena Williams, while World No. 1 Novak Djokovic lost in the fourth round.

Murray, who owns a home 10 minutes from the stadium, beat Ferrer, who turns 31 on Tuesday, for the seventh time in 12 career meetings. Ferrer's only win over Murray off clay was at the 2011 ATP World Tour Finals.

Ferrer, who has won this year at Auckland and Buenos Aires, failed in his bid to win his first US title and become the first Spaniard to win the Miami title. He is 0-12 in finals against players ranked in the world's top four.

Murray and Ferrer exchanged breaks over the first six games of the third set, then each held serve once before Murray broke Ferrer for a 5-4 edge when the Spaniard netted a forehand.

Murray served for the match but surrendered a break instead, Ferrer pulling level and then holding serve for a 6-5 advantage.

Ferrer reached match point in the 12th game on Murray's serve but stopped play on the key point to challenge on a Murray forehand that was ruled on the baseline, setting the stage for Murray to hold and force the tie-breaker.

Murray roared ahead 4-0 in the tie-breaker and Ferrer collapsed to the court with a leg cramp after falling behind 5-1. He rose but was finished two points later by the Scot on a backhand winner, Murray improving to 14-2 in the year. (AFP)