Andy Murray claimed his Valencia Open title triumph stands him in good stead for upcoming challenges after he fended off five match points to beat Tommy Robredo in the final late Sunday.

In a match which swung first one way and then the other, the Scot eventually won 3-6 7-6 7-6 claiming the final set on a tie-break against his Spanish opponent.

The victory is a massive step for Murray in qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals as he moved up to fifth in the Race to London standings with ninth place enough to qualify.

“I know it was an incredible match,’’ Murray told reporters.

“The tennis in the second set was high level. I played well at the right moments. I don’t know how I managed to come through it – I was very tired, Tommy was very tired as well.

“When you have to work hard for something it means more, you get more satisfaction from it. I kept fighting and it stands me in good stead for the end of this year and the beginning of next.”

Murray had also saved five match points against Robredo when he won the Shenzhen Open title in southern China last month.

This match was equally exhausting, lasting three hours and 20 minutes – the longest final on the ATP world tour this year – and at the end Robredo appeared to make a jokey obscene gesture at his opponent.

It was the 31st title of Murray’s career and was further demonstration that he is back on track – Shenzhen was his first title victory in 14 months.