THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- In a strong statement leading to the Australian Open, Andy Murray has beaten Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on consecutive days.
The Scotsman defeated the top-ranked Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 Saturday to capture the Capitala World Tennis Championship exhibition and US$250,000 winner-take-all prize. A day earlier in the semifinals, he topped the No. 2-ranked Federer 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6).
The tournament, not part of the ATP Tour, included six of the world's top 10 players.
Murray, who put on more muscle during the off-season, is ranked No. 4 and has yet to win a Grand Slam. He has a chance to change that at the Australian Open, which starts starts Jan. 19.
"This victory was good before I go to Australia," said Murray, who will first defend his Qatar Open title in Doha. "I have never been past the fourth round there. I trained hard over the break and the victories over the past three days have given me confidence."
In the final set, Murray broke after a long seventh game and then held serve to go up 5-3. Murray covered the court well, running down every shot and breaking serve one more time.
"He has carried his form over the last four months and he has a good chance to win in Australia," Nadal said.
Murray's only previous victory over Nadal in six matches was at the U.S. Open semifinals in September. The Spaniard played 111 matches in 2008 and pulled out of the Davis Cup final against Argentina in November because of an injured knee.
.Nadal called this an "amazing three days" and insisted he played well despite the loss.
"For me it was a very good test," he said. "Playing two hours 45 minutes at the best level is good. I forgot about my knee and my injury. I am looking forward to the year."
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