In Beijing 2016, Andy Murray achieved his 40th ATP title after a challenging final where he defeated Grigor Dimitrov with a score of 6-4, 7-6. This victory marked his fifth title of the season and marked his 60th win in 2016, as he fought hard to secure his year-end ranking.
1 spot. It was a great battle, with many high-quality exchanges. Murray emerged at the top after a better serving display, playing better in the decisive points. Andy landed 15 winners and 25 unforced errors, welcoming Grigor’s 40 unforced errors.
Murray lost serve once and kept the pressure on the other side, forcing his opponent to play an extra ball. The Briton served at only 49%, and the Bulgarian should have done better on the return. Instead, Grigor earned only two break chances and seized one.
On the other hand, Murray clinched 40% of the return points, creating seven opportunities and turning them into two return games. Dimitrov made the worst start, hitting double faults at the beginning and the end of the opening game, experiencing an early setback.
Andy Murray defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the 2016 Beijing final.
Murray found his strokes right from the start, clinching ten of the opening 12 points and moving 3-1 in front. Grigor raised his level, finding free points from the initial shot and creating a break chance in game six after Andy’s massive mistake.
Murray saved it with a service winner and brought the game home after Dimitrov’s two unforced errors. Grigor faced two break points in the seventh game, denying them with winners and bringing the game home after five deuces to remain in touch.
They served well in the following three games, and Murray secured the opener with a hold in game ten, moving 6-4 up despite landing in 29% of the first serve! The errors decorated the set, and Grigor sprayed twice as many as Andy.
The Bulgarian experienced two break points at 1-1 in the second set, erasing them and staying on the positive side. Dimitrov sprayed three errors at 2-2, falling behind and pushing Murray closer to the finish line. They served well in the following four games, with Andy having a chance to seal the deal at 5-4.
Suddenly, he lost the ground completely, losing serve at love and bringing Grigor back to 5-5. Grigor was flying over the court in those moments, winning 11 consecutive points and opening a 6-5 gap, looking good to force a decider.
Andy recomposed his game and held at love in the 12th game to introduce a tie break. Dimitrov cracked under pressure, losing all five points behind the initial shot. Murray forged a 6-2 advantage and celebrated the title after his rival’s unforced error.
