http://tinyurl.com/cs8xu Federer subdues Murray to retain Thailand title BANGKOK (Reuters) World number one Roger Federer retained his Thailand Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over British teenager Andy Murray. Federer's 11th title of the year extended his winning streak in finals to 24. The Swiss, last beaten in a final in Gstaad in July 2003, has now chalked up 77 wins this season, just one short of his personal best set in 2003. "In the end I really had to play some good and tough points to get through because he was making me work extremely hard," said Federer. Murray, 18, was appearing in his first ATP final and the Scot's performance this week will elevate him from 109 in the world rankings to around 80. "Before Queens or Wimbledon, if somebody had said I was going to be, whatever, in the top 80 in the world in three months I would have said I'd got no chance," said Murray. "But I got a lot of self-belief after I won against some really good players at Queens and Wimbledon, and then I went over to the States and played some smaller tournaments and had a lot of confidence and I won a couple of them." Murray, handed a week wild card into the tournament, double-faulted to lose the second game and also had to fight off two break points at 4-1 before Federer wrapped up the set with a forehand volley. MORE COMPETITIVE The second set was more competitive, despite the Scot putting himself under pressure by dropping his first service game. Murray competed well in the rallies, hit his forehand well and moved smoothly to the ball. He even toyed with Federer at one stage, drawing in him to the net and then executing a lob. After holding off a break point for 4-1, the Scot's persistence was rewarded when a hooked forehand from Federer allowed him to level at 3-3. Murray survived two break points at 4-4 but the top seed did break to lead 6-5 and then held serve to secure the title. "I think I pushed Federer in the second set," added Murray. "I thought I had a few chances, and it gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can compete with the best players in the world when I've still got so much to work on." Federer has now won 31 consecutive matches, and is closing in on the longest winning streak since Thomas Muster compiled 35 straight victories in 1995. Even the all-time record of 46 straight victories, set by Guillermo Vilas in 1977, is within reach. The Swiss said he was relieved to win in straight sets and praised Murray's performance. "The young guys, they takes chances you know, and I had the feeling he was getting better on my own serve," he said. "I wasn't hugely surprised he broke me eventually because he really started to hang tough in my service games." --

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