Monday 29 September 2014 07:26, UK
Andy Murray was overcome with emotion after ending a burdensome title drought that stretched all the way back to his glorious Wimbledon triumph in 2013.
Mum Judy wept along too as Murray came back from the brink of defeat to beat Tommy Robredo in the final of the Shenzhen Open.
Two-time grand slam winner Murray broke down in tears after a 5-7 7-6 (11/9) 6-1 victory, a success that was just the tonic for the Scot, who entered the modest ATP 250 tier event because of his impatience to experience the thrill of winning a tournament.
He probably deserved to win the match today. He had the opportunities in the second set, but sometimes that happens in sport. I just tried to fight till the end.
He was also aiming to strengthen his prospects of qualifying for the end-of-year Tour Finals, and Murray is now closing in rapidly on a place among the elite eight players who will convene at the O2 in November, climbing to 10th place in the Race to London.
The 27-year-old faced five match points in a second-set tie-break, four of them in succession from 6-2 behind, but saved them with some of his best tennis, and then breezed through the decider as Robredo struggled physically.
"Today was obviously an incredibly tough match, the conditions are so hard to play in," said Murray in the on-court presentation.
"I got lucky, basically, at the end of the second set. I fought hard, tried my best and thankfully managed to turn it round. Tommy had a great tournament.
“He probably deserved to win the match today. He had the opportunities in the second set, but sometimes that happens in sport. I just tried to fight till the end."
Victory gave Murray his first silverware since parting ways with Ivan Lendl before the French Open and pairing up with French coach Amelie Mauresmo in June.
Murray acknowledged the support from within his entourage and family.
He told Eurosport: "I want to thank my team and I want to thank my friends and family back home and especially my girlfriend (Kim Sears).
“She's supported me a lot through this week. It's been a very tough week for me.”
Next week he will be in Beijing, for the China Open, before competing in Masters 1000 events in Shanghai and Paris in October, where big points, big money and big-name opponents come into play.
