An emotional Andy Murray has claimed his first ATP Tour title for more than two-and-a-half years by beating Stan Wawrinka in the European Open decider in Antwerp.
In just his sixth singles tournament since returning from the hip resurfacing operation he underwent in January, Murray had significantly exceeded expectations by making it all the way to the final.
There he faced his old rival Wawrinka, who was in the ascendancy for the vast majority of the match.
But Murray dug in superbly, saving eight of the 12 break points he faced, including several at crucial times, and battled to a 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory.
The last time he lifted silverware in singles came in Dubai in March 2017, so it was no surprise that the tears quickly flowed.
“Obviously it means a lot, the last few years have been extremely difficult, both me and Stan have had a lot of injury problems the last couple of years,” Murray said.
“It’s amazing to be back playing him in a final. I think it was a great match, Stan was playing unbelievable, hitting winners from all over the court.
“I just managed to hang in a bit at the end of the second set and the third set was extremely close again. I didn’t expect to be in this position so I’m very happy.
“This is one of the biggest wins that I’ve had after everything so I’m very proud.”
It was fitting that these two men should be facing each other given it was their gruelling French Open semi-final two years ago that exacerbated physical issues for both.
Murray spent the next 18 months trying to find a solution to his hip problems that would enable him to live without pain, while Wawrinka underwent two knee operations.
But the Swiss ace’s heavy shot immediately pushed Murray back well behind the baseline.
Murray saved two break points in the second game but not a third and Wawrinka held comfortably.
Murray was on the ropes at 1-3 and two break points down but dug in broke back to 3-3.
Wawrinka had two more chances at 4-4 but again Murray again fought off the danger.
The Scot looked set to win a long rally at 30-30 before an erroneous line call forced the point to be replayed, but he managed to send it to a decider.
Murray was twice a break down early in the third but both times hit back and then saved two more break points at 4-4.
That left Wawrinka serving for the match at 40-15, but Murray willed himself back into the game and took his first match point.
The 32-year-old is now expected to take a break until the Davis Cup finals next month while he waits for the birth of his third child.