The result was as expected; close and yet comfortable. The pattern of play was as expected; Verdasco's forehand dominating, Andy on the defensive, varying his spins, his length, tempting his opponent to be reckless. But there were moments when this was not the anticipated match, certainly not the expected display from Andy.

Contrasting styles, contrasting approaches to the game. Fernando's all or nothing forehand, his determination to dominate the points. Andy's willingness to stick to a carefully constructed game plan, his understanding of the percentages. Verdasco went for winners at every opportunity, flashing return winners off decent first serves, weak second serves punished crosscourt, drive volley winners, streams of forehand winners. Murray looked to keep it simple, taking few risks, nothing too ambitious, returns in play, sliced backhands, looping forehands deep into Fernando's backhand corner.

The first set was full of unexpected gifts. That Andy's serve went missing was hardly a surprise. That he failed to save a single break point was overly generous but nothing compared to Verdasco's inability to hold a lead; indeed he handed Murray two of the three breaks of serve without Andy needing to make a single contribution. A mini break down in the tie-break Andy won two points against the serve with super passing shots and went on to take the first set.

Andy's minimalist approach to the first set continued into the second. Fernando presented Andy with three break points at 1-1 yet Murray was unwilling to be aggressive even against the second serve. An extraordinary period of play followed with Verdasco taking 14 of the next 15 points to establish a 4-1 lead. Andy had practically given up, making little effort to compete. He did enough to hold for 4-2 then watched Fernando self-destruct from 30-0, finally double faulting to allow Murray back into the set. Serving to win the second set Andy looked in trouble at 15-40. Twice Verdasco took on a vulnerable second serve, twice he failed to find the court.

For a brief moment early in the third set it seemed as though Andy had decided to open up, to play more expansive tennis, a glimpse of what he is capable of; it didn't last for long. But maybe that was the point; Andy did enough to win, no real need to bring out the big weapons, to go up the gears. Verdasco's erratic talent was on display; the amazing forehand winners, astonishing drop shots, the wild errors, the rash shot selection. Meanwhile Murray had a smart plan that worked despite his performance; he knew the percentages and played to them.