Murray retains Brisbane crown

Andy Murray successfully defended his Brisbane International crown with a 7-6 6-4 victory over rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov.

Murray saved a set point in the first set before powering through the tie-break without losing a point and then took three games in a row to secure victory and boost his preparations for the Australian Open.

Dimitrov was clearly impressed by the form of the world number three, telling the ATP Tour's official website: "He's a top guy.

"He pulled out some really, really good shots when he had to, so I didn't feel that I was far, far from winning the set or even the match."

On Saturday Serena Williams secured the women's title in Brisbane by thrashing Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-1.

The in-form American, 10/11 to win the Australian Open, said after her win: "I don't know if I was in the zone, but I was definitely heading in that direction.

"I've been in the twilight zone before, where I just felt so good I couldn't do anything wrong."

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka is 3/1 to triumph in Melbourne again, with Maria Sharapova 7/1.

Meanwhile, Spain took the honours at the Hopman Cup in Perth, defeating Serbia 2-1 in the final, with Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues winning the decisive mixed doubles rubber.

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