Murray outwits Roddick to lift Doha title

Andy Murray shrugged off a back injury to tame Andy Roddick 6-4 6-2 and retain his title at the Qatar Open yesterday.

The British third seed had hinted he might skip the final after struggling with a stiff back during his semi-final win over Roger Federer on Friday.

If American Roddick had been hoping for an easy ride to the title, his hopes were dashed in 70 brutal minutes.

As Murray enjoyed the perfect build-up to the start of the Australian Open on Jan. 19, the result also earned him a ninth ATP trophy.

"It was a great year for me last year and hopefully it will continue the same this year," Murray told the crowd after extending his head-to-head record to 6-2 against Roddick.

Murray dominated proceedings from the start and broke the former world number one to love in the fifth game after Roddick misfired a forehand on break point.

Roddick tried to mix up his game plan but he struggled to make an impact and won only five points on Murray's serve in the opening set.

The Briton kept up the pace in the second and suffered his only hiccup when serving for the match at 5-2 up.

The American made a last-gasp bid for survival when he earned his only break point of the contest.

Murray averted that danger with his fifth ace and eased to victory two points later with a crunching backhand winner.

ATP Brisbane SFs: Stepanek bt Gasquet 2-6 6-2 6-4; Verdasco bt Mathieu 6-2 6-1.

ATP Chennai Open SFs: Devvarman w.o. Schuettler; Cilic bt Granollers 6-4 6-3.

WTA Auckland Classic final: Dementieva bt Vesnina 6-4 6-1.

WTA Brisbane final: Azarenka bt Bartoli 6-3 6-1.