MIAMI — Britain's Andy Murray defeated Spain's David Ferrer 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 to win the Sony Open Sunday and move above Roger Federer to second in the world rankings. Murray was far from at his best against a dogged Ferrer but won the tie-break comfortably 7-1. Murray captured his 26th career tour title, and second of the year having taken the Brisbane crown, after two hours and 45 minutes. It was the second Miami title for the 25-year-old Murray, who won the title in 2009 and lost last year's final to Novak Djokovic. Aisam, Rojer win doubles Pakistani tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi dedicated his first ATP Master 1000 title of the year to his country and the people, after winning the men's doubles final at the Sony Open in Miami Saturday night. Aisam and his dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer convincingly defeated the Polish duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-4, 6-1 in the match. The tennis ace, who will be in action for Pakistan in the Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in Myanmar, said that he owes the win to the people of his country and hopes that the news brought happiness to the fans back home. Sharapova, Serena pleased Maria Sharapova is pleased with the state of her game as she prepares to begin her clay-court preparations for defending the French Open title, even though the Russian star still has no title at Miami. World No. 2 Sharapova led by a set and a break before world No. 1 Serena Williams battled back, capturing the final 10 games on her way to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory in Saturday's WTA Miami hardcourt final. Serena won her sixth Miami crown and denied Sharapova her first Miami title, dropping the Russian to 0-5 in Miami finals. Serena has beaten Sharapova 11 times in a row and leads their overall rivalry 12-2. But after running off 11 match wins in a row overall before the loss, including a victory at Indian Wells without Serena in the field, Sharapova has greater confidence in her game and her chances to defend at Roland Garros. “When you experience such a nice moment in your career, to be able to come back there and to play on that court again where you lifted the trophy, won the match point, it's always special and meaningful,” Sharapova said. “I'll treat it as any other title that maybe I haven't won and really want to win because I would love to win it again.” She had hoped to collect a first Miami crown but was pleased that she took a set off Williams for the first time since the 2008 quarterfinals on clay in Charleston, South Carolina. “It's tough to lose in the final stage because you've worked so hard to get there, no doubt about that,” Sharapova said. “But it is a really nice stage to be at. It's a nice opportunity that you're giving yourself. The more that I give myself this opportunity, the better chance that I have of winning. That's what I have to think about. “Within a tournament there are a lot of ups and downs and I'm really happy with what I have been able to achieve in the last month.” Serena praised Sharapova's effort even as she avoided losing to the Russian for the first time since 2004. “Maria played really the best I have seen her play,” Serena said. “She was moving unbelievable and she was hitting winners from everywhere. “I feel like she lifted her level.” Sharapova, however, saw Serena stretch her game when faced with the possibility of defeat. “That's why she's No. 1 in the world. She's really capable of doing that,” Sharapova said. “I was controlling a lot of the points in the first set and the beginning of the second. Then toward the end, I wasn't there.” — Agencies
