Murray masters A-Rod in Doha

Updated on: 11 January,2009 07:48 AM IST |
AFP |

Britain's Andy Murray defeated Andy Roddick of the United States 6-4, 6-2 to retain his Qatar Open title on Saturday and boost his chances of a Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open.

Hip, hip, murray! Briton Andy Murray poses with the Qatar Open winner's trophy after beating American Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2 in the final on Saturday u00a0pics/AP, AFP

Murray took victory in just 70 minutes, shrugging off fitness fears after he picked up a back injury in his semi-final win over Roger Federer on Friday, a fourth win in five meetings with the 13-time Grand Slam title winner.

Saturday's victory was Murray's sixth win in eight meetings with the American and his ninth career title.

The 21-year-old, who had also defeated both Federer and World No 1 Rafael Nadal at an exhibition event in neighbouring United Arab Emirates last week, will head to Melbourne confident of becoming Britain's first male Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry in 1936.

On Saturday, Murray was again in stunning form, outplaying Roddick, never allowing the fourth seed to disrupt him with net attacks, and winning his points in such a wide variety of ways.

Roddick continued coming to the net but Murray appeared to enjoy having a target, and it seemed Roddick may need to mix his game up a little more.

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