Andy Murray saved five match points before fighting back to beat Tommy Robredo 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (8) in a grueling Valencia Open final on Sunday.

In September, Murray also saved five match points against the Spaniard on his way to winning the final in Shenzhen, China. This time, he had to do it in front of Robredo’s home fans, who ended up applauding the effort made by both players on Valencia’s indoor hard court.

Robredo came from a break down in the second set to force a tiebreaker that could have earned him his first win against Murray since 2007. Murray looked flustered, slamming his racket down twice, but he managed to save both match points in the tiebreaker before leveling at a set each.The Briton then saved three more match points in the final tiebreaker before hitting a decisive backhand to win in 3 hours, 20 minutes.

The Briton then saved three more match points in the final tiebreaker before hitting a decisive backhand to win in 3 hours, 20 minutes.

Lengthy rallies

It was Murray’s 31st career title and second in Valencia after winning in 2009. The match was the longest of this edition of the tournament and saw both players continue to draw out rally after rally despite both visibly tiring and showing signs of cramps in their legs as the final wore on.

Robredo started well, saving six break points in the first set while converting the only two chances he had to break Murray’s serve.

Robredo first broke for a 4-3 lead after winning a long game that at one point left Murray leaning on the barrier to catch his breath while the Spaniard made use of an empty chair to sit down. The local favorite pressed Murray in his next service game as well and set up a set point with a forehand winner, then converted it when the Briton sent a shot long.

Trading breaks

Murray responded by breaking Robredo’s first service game of the second set, but the Spaniard leveled at 4-4.

In the tiebreaker, Murray saved the first match point by sprinting to return two deep ground strokes before Robredo’s forehand clipped the net and fell long. Murray then hit an ace to save the second before forcing a third set.The rivals traded breaks as both tightened up with cramps. Robredo then saved Murray’s first match point at 5-4 before holding serve when his opponent sent the ball wide.

The rivals traded breaks as both tightened up with cramps. Robredo then saved Murray’s first match point at 5-4 before holding serve when his opponent sent the ball wide.