Andy Murray finally shrugs off the curse of Rafa

BRITAIN'S brightest tennis hope, the Scot Andy Murray, has finally shrugged off the Curse of Rafa – a hoodoo which prevented him from beating the Spanish ace in their last five matches – to win the Japan Open.

The British number one, fresh from victory in last week's Thailand Open, beat Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. Now his fans will be hoping Murray can repeat the feat in a major tournament – ideally Wimbledon.

The sometimes temperamental 24-year-old, currently world number four, was in no doubt that he had earned his victory, telling journalists: "I played some great tennis, especially in the third set."

He added: "There were 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."

After losing the first set 3-6, Murray hit six aces and broke Nadal's serve twice to take the second set. He broke the Spaniard a further three times to take the decider.

Nadal, who has won only three of his 10 finals this season, concurred with Murray's estimate, saying: "Andy played unbelievable. He deserves the title.

"I've lost a few sets 6-0 of course. 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."

And beating Nadal was only the first of Murray's victories today: an hour later he returned to the court to win the doubles, partnered by his brother Jamie. ·