Tennis: Andy Murray admitted his victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the final of the Qatar Open in Doha was useful preparation for the Australian Open which begins later this month.
Murray was runner-up to Ivan Ljubicic in last year's final but made amends this time round with a 6-4 4-6 6-2 win at the Khalifa Tennis Complex to secure his fourth career title.
Murray's victory is his first in three attempts against Wawrinka and the 20-year-old said it was a timely boost ahead of the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne which starts on January 14.
"It's good to win another title and it's been great preparation for the Australian Open," Murray said. "Stan played pretty good and made me do a lot of running. I don't know how much longer I could have run for.
"I did a lot of running and I am going to be stiff tomorrow, but I am really happy that I came through."
Murray, who overcame world number four Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the semi-final, had begun the match nervously and both players had failed to hold serve in the opening three games of the first set.
But with scores level at 3-3 Murray broke the serve of the 22-year-old from Switzerland and then held his his own to claim the set 6-4.
Wawrinka, who had defeated Murray on clay in Davis Cup competition three years ago and also on hard court at ATP Masters Series Miami in 2006, battled back to take the second set 6-4.
The Scot quickly put the second set behind him to break Wawrinka's serve in first game of the third set and then held his own to take a 2-0 lead.
The world number 11 almost pressed home the advantage in an intense third game but Wawrinka saved seven break points to remain in touch.
Murray held serve and was then able to capitalise in the seventh game to break Wawrinka and take a 5-2 lead.
The Swiss was unable to break back as Murray efficiently despatched his final service game to take the deciding set 6-2.