Nadal downs Murray, reigns in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California – Rafael Nadal powered his way to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Andy Murray on a windy Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open, winning his second Indian Wells title in three years.

The top-ranked Nadal’s low, hard ground strokes gave him an edge in the gusty conditions over Murray, whose game relies more on pace and a mix of shots.

Nadal, a 22-year-old Spaniard, added the championship to theAustralian Open title he won earlier this year, and avenged a loss to eventual champion Murray in the Rotterdam final.

Vera Zvonareva defeated defending champion Ana Ivanovic, 7-6 (5),6-2, to win the women’s title. Zvonareva a day earlier teamed withVictoria Azarenka to take the women’s doubles.

Nadal rode his usual powerful forehands to the lopsided win over Murray, hitting 10 winners from that side to Murray’s one. Nadal also was efficient at the net, winning eight of 11 points to Murray’s 5-of-10.

“The conditions today were really difficult. But I think I had a good strategy and played a really good match under these conditions,” Nadal said. “Probably Andy didn’t play his best because of the conditions, but I think I played a really complete match, moving very well.

“I never stopped the legs during the match and I think that was the key. Maybe I accepted the conditions a little bit better than him. Maybe I had a little bit more positive attitude than him.”

With the swirling wind making the service toss difficult, neither player served an ace.   (AP)