Tennis: Andy Murray marked himself out as one of the men to beat going into the new season as he overcame world number one Rafael Nadal in the final of the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Both players at times produced strokes in keeping with the exhibition status of the tournament much to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd, but Murray was on top as he took the first set.
The Scot seemed to tire as Nadal won the second, but found a second wind in a scintillating third and claimed a 6-4 5-7 6-3 win.
Murray, who had lost five of their previous six encounters, broke in game three as he brought to an end a thrilling rally with a backhand pass which left Nadal stranded in mid-court, and found his service rhythm to consolidate his advantage.
Both men were producing some good stuff with one backhand lob from Murray a particular highlight, but he failed to clear Nadal with a similar shot in game eight before a double-fault handed a break to the Spaniard.
But the world number one went long in the next game to give Murray back his advantage immediately and the Scot served out the first set.
The second set went with serve until in game five errors from both players, including a Nadal double, took it to four deuces, and Murray finally got the break when his opponent went long.
The Spaniard broke back immediately and held dominantly, before a successful Hawkeye challenge when his drop shot was called out saved him from facing break point when he looked vulnerable.
A seemingly tiring Murray successfully served to stay in the set at 4-5, but could not repeat the feat at 5-6, sending a forehand long to hand the second set to Nadal.
Murray just about held on to level at 2-2 in the third set, before doing his best to rouse the crowd, and a break could have gone to either player in a succession of seesaw games which thrilled the Abu Dhabi crowd.
But it went to Murray in game seven after a series of breathtaking rallies and the Scot consolidated to take a 5-3 lead.
And Nadal found the net in the next game to hand the €180,000 first prize to Murray.