SCOTSMAN Andy Murray is the champion of the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament, which finished yesterday.

The event, which was the first-ever to take place at the futuristic new Ágora stadium at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia, saw Murray knock out Mikhail Youzhny by 6-3 and 6-2 in barely 68 minutes.

To this end, spectators say the real finals too place on Saturday, during a suspense-filled match between Murray and Verdasco.

Youzhny admitted that he was feeling under par during yesterday's match.

“I wasn't giving 100 percent, because yesterday (Saturday) I had cramp after the match with Davydenko and couldn't perform as well as I wanted to,” admits the Russian star.

Despite Andy Murray not having played for some weeks, his rival was unable to touch him – Murray only lost three points in his serves in the second set, making very few mistakes and taking very accurate shots.

“It was an easier match than I expected,” reveals the student of player Álex Corretja.

“I played a very intelligent game.

“Many thanks to the public for the support they've given me since day one,” Murray announced as he was awarded his trophy.

“It's very rare to win a tournament after not having played for so long.”

Murray also praised the city of Valencia: “I very much like the complex and its facilities,and the fact it is so close to restaurants and shopping centres.

“Although the court is very noisy at night, and it's very cold,” he admitted.

This is Murray's sixth title at the season, having won the tournaments at Doha, Rotterdam, ATP Masters 1000 Miami, London and the ATP Masters 1000 Canada.