Nadal Loses to Murray in Japan Open

Andy Murray of Britain, center left, shows his trophy he won after beating Rafael Nadal of Spain in their final match at the Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. Andy Murray won, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

After losing the first set against Rafael Nadal, Scottish star Andy Murray rallied to beat Rafa 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the Japan Open final Sunday.

Murray, coming off a victory last week in Bangkok, broke his Spanish opponent in the fourth game of the second set, then won 11 of the next 12 games at Ariake Colosseum. This was Murray's second straight ATP tour victory.

"There was a lot of close games in the first set and early in the second set, then I started to get the momentum and didn't give him any chances," Murray said. "I played some great tennis, especially in the third set."

Nadal, the 2010 winner, had beaten Murray five straight times, and hadn't lost a service game in the tournament.

"Rafa is one of the greatest players ever," Murray said. "It is always a pleasure to play against him."

The title was the fourth-ranked Murray's 20th overall and fourth of the season after triumphs at Queen's Club, Cincinnati and Thailand.

In the final set, Murray broke Nadal three times, behind a combination of forehand winners and unforced errors by the Spaniard.

"He played unbelievable in the third set with no mistakes," Nadal said. "His returns were impressive. After I had my chances in the second set, he started playing at a very high level."

Nadal is 3-7 in finals this season, with the first six of the losses coming to Novak Djokovic.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.