For much of the first set there was little to separate the two players. Murray had the first sniff of a break point snuffed out by Nadal in the fourth game, and three games later the Scot had to dig deep to save two break points on his own serve, eventually holding after three deuces.
But the world number four was stepping in with intent on his shots and put together a stunning run of forehands to seal a decisive break of serve, and hit three aces in his next service game to claim the first set 6-3.
Murray, moving well and playing with aggression, kept the Spaniard on the run at the start of the second set, securing another break to take a 3-1 lead.
Nadal had been stifled for much of the match by Murray’s positive tactics, but midway through the set he broke the shackles and with a barrage of unanswerable forehands he managed to get back on level terms.
Nadal was rejuvenated, celebrating each and every point he won. With the momentum in his favour, he created another two break points on Murray’s next service game, but the defending champion at Toronto showed real defiance to hold Nadal at bay.
And having held his serve the Scot managed to raise his game once again to break Nadal, and duly served out for the match to record a thoroughly deserved victory.
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