Andy Murray vs. Grigor Dimitrov: Score and Reaction from China Open 2016 Final

Andy Murray won the 2016 China Open final after a 6-4, 7-6(2) straight-sets win over Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final in Beijing. Murray won, but only after being taken to a tiebreak in the second, thanks to some stunning shots from Dimitrov on the brink of defeat. 

The win moves Murray closer to his aim of supplanting Novak Djokovic as the top-ranked men’s player in the world. 

An early break of serve helped Murray steal a one-game lead in the opening set. The Scot appeared in firm control, until Dimitrov battled back to trail 3-2.

Dimitrov then squandered a great chance, after Murray inexplicably fluffed a forehand. Some feeble serving from the Bulgarian let Murray off the hook, though, and it was soon 4-2.

But his game was stronger next time out, with a blistering forehand forcing Murray to over-hit his passing shot and again reduce the advantage, this time to 4-3.

Yet it was Dimitrov making too many unforced errors. He hit the net more than once to gift Murray another game, and although Dimitrov took the next, Murray still had the chance to serve for the set.

One more Dimitrov error handed Murray the set when an errant backhand sailed out to help the Scot seal a 6-3 triumph. The numbers from the first set showed Dimitrov was guilty of a trio of double faults, something symptomatic of his error-strewn start.

Yet being a set down seemed to bring out the best in him. Dimitrov took the first game of the second set and produced some exceptional tennis in …

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