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Andy Murray clinches China Open title

Andy Murray closes in on the world number one spot with a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the final of the China Open.

Andy Murray has clinched his first ever China Open title with a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the final in Beijing this afternoon.

The world number two continued his record of not having dropped a single set in the tournament, overcoming Dimitrov 6-4 7-6(2) to continue his fine form.

Andy Murray holds up his champion trophy at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 9, 2016© SilverHub

Murray, seeded first due to the injury withdrawal of Novak Djokovic, got off to a perfect start in the final when he broke Dimitrov in the very first game, and that was all that was needed for the Scot to clinch the opening set.

Dimitrov created just one break point throughout the duration of the opener, and there weren't many signs of him troubling Murray too much against serve in the second set too.

Indeed, the Wimbledon and Olympic champion looked on course for victory when he broke again in the fifth game, but when serving for the championship Murray finally slipped up, losing to love as Dimitrov kept his slim hopes alive.

The second set went to a tie-break as a result, and just two of the points during the breaker went with serve - Murray clinching both of them to take it 7-2.

The victory means that Murray picks up 500 ranking points to close in on the world number one spot, currently held by Djokovic.

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Andy Murray in action at the US Open on August 30, 2016
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