• Japan Open

Double joy for Federer-chasing Murray

ESPN staff
October 9, 2011
Andy Murray and Jamie Murray pose for photographers © Getty Images
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Andy Murray added the Japan Open men's doubles title to his individual triumph on Sunday, and then reiterated his desire to hunt down Roger Federer.

Murray enjoyed a near-perfect day in Tokyo, beating Rafael Nadal for his fourth ATP Tour title of the year, before returning an hour later with brother Jamie to claim doubles victory. The British duo defeated Frantisek Cermak and Filip Polasek 6-1 6-4, requiring just 58 minutes to get the job done.

Reflecting on his earlier triumph over Nadal, Murray commented on the ATP's official website: "I played some great tennis, especially in the third set.

"There was a lot of close games towards the end of the first set and beginning of the second and I managed to get the momentum and didn't give him many chances after that.

"For sure in the third set it was some of the best tennis I've played against him. I was very consistent, didn't make too many mistakes and kept a cool head in the important moments."

Currently No. 4 in the world, Murray began the week less than 1,000 points behind third-ranked Federer, a situation that will improve vastly following this week's success. "I've given myself the target of ending the year at number three [in the world] so hopefully I can carry on that form," Murray said.

Nadal knew he was beaten by the better man in Tokyo, and he held his hands up to the quality of Murray's tennis in the third set. The British No. 1 broke three times to take the decider 6-0, and Nadal was complimentary of his rival's game.

"Andy played unbelievable. He deserves the title," said the Spaniard. "I've lost a few sets 6-0. You prefer it doesn't happen, but he played fantastic and in the third set he started to play at a really high level. Accept. That's it."

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