Friday 2 January 2015 16:38, UK
Andy Murray made a statement for the 2015 season by defeating Rafael Nadal in straight sets to reach the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Although the exhibition event carries no ranking points, both men were fully committed and Murray showed he is in fine shape physically and mentally with a 6-2 6-0 victory.
The Scot struggled past Nadal's countryman Feliciano Lopez in his first match on Thursday, but looked sharp from the start as he showed off the impact of his winter training camp in Miami.
Nadal, by contrast, was clearly rusty in his first outing since the appendectomy that brought an early end to his 2014 season two months ago.
It is the first time Murray has beaten one of his 'big-four' rivals since defeating Novak Djokovic in the final of Wimbledon a year and a half ago.
He now faces Djokovic once again in Saturday's final after the world No 1 hammered Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-1 6-2.
Criticised for being too passive during a shaky 2014, Murray took the game to Nadal from the start and broke the world No 3's serve at the first opportunity.
He then saved three break points and cemented his advantage by breaking again to take the set.
It was a very tough match. There were many long games. It shouldn't have been that scoreline. I just managed to win the important points.
It was a tale of two backhands, with Murray's working beautifully while Nadal's was something of a liability.
A double fault gave sixth-ranked Murray another break at the start of the second set and, in a repeat of the start of the match, he withstood pressure to hold onto his lead.
This time the Scot saved five break points, the third with a brilliant running forehand winner.
Murray was making the right decisions at the big moments and, although Nadal continued to press hard, he could not prevent his opponent wrapping up a love set and a hugely impressive performance.
"It was a very tough match,” said Murray. “There were many long games. It shouldn't have been that scoreline. I just managed to win the important points. Sometimes it goes that way.
"It was a good match. You never know how you're going to feel until you get on the match court. I'm pleased.”
Djokovic was playing his first match of the season against Wawrinka but barely put a foot wrong, winning nine consecutive games from 1-1 in the opening set against the dejected-looking Swiss.
Wawrinka at least avoided a love set but a fightback proved beyond him as defending champion Djokovic eased to victory.
