Andy Murray was overcome with emotion after ending a burdensome title drought that stretched all the way back to his glorious Wimbledon triumph.
The Scot came back from the brink of defeat to beat Tommy Robredo in the final of the Shenzhen Open.
The two-time grand slam winner broke down in tears after a 5-7, 7-6 (11/9), 6-1 victory, a success that was just the tonic for the Dunblane man, who entered the modest ATP 250-tier event because of his impatience to experience the thrill of winning a tournament.
He was also aiming to strengthen his prospects of qualifying for the end-of-year ATP Tour Finals, and is now closing in rapidly on a place among the elite eight players who will convene at the O2 in November, climbing to 10th place in the rankings. The 27-year-old faced five match points in a second-set tie-break, four of them in succession from 6-2 behind, but saved them with some of his best tennis, and then breezed through the decider as Robredo struggled physically.
"Today was obviously an incredibly tough match, the conditions are so hard to play in," said Murray. "I got lucky, basically, at the end of the second set. I fought hard, tried my best and thankfully managed to turn it round."
His mother, Judy, often at courtside for Murray's big matches and currently participating in TV's Strictly Come Dancing, tweeted: "True grit. Stoatir. X"
Victory gave Murray his first silverware since parting ways with Ivan Lendl before the French Open and pairing up with French coach Amelie Mauresmo in June. Theirs has been a combination which has come under a close scrutiny which should be eased by this achievement.
Murray acknowledged the support from his entourage and family. "I want to thank my team and I want to thank my friends and family back home and especially my girlfriend [Kim Sears]. She's supported me a lot through this week."
Murray will be in Beijing for the China Open before competing in Masters 1000 events in Shanghai and Paris in October.
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