BRUTAL hitting from Sam #Querrey. Seeing it like a ⚽ #AMT2017 https://t.co/yB8YP8cfyx

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 5, 2017

Andy Murray’s 2017 includes one tournament title in Dubai and a runner-up finish in Qatar.  The world #1 is off to a cracking start in the Middle East.  His 2017 Australian Open effort was not one for his or the record books, but winning an ATP 500 level event is a good way for Murray to cement his #1 ranking further while also dispelling notions of an Australian Open hangover.  Murray enters the US swing of Indian Wells and Miami looking like a good bet for the semifinal round or better at each event.

Sam Querrey claimed his 9th career singles title by blasting big serves and striking big ground strokes to win convincingly over Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6.  Querrey won Queen’s Club in 2010, but that event included a championship win over Mardy Fish.  In the Acapulco championship match, Querrey never had his serve broken and overpowered Rafael Nadal.

Rafa has started 2017 on some very positive notes.  It does appear that Rafa is a bit vulnerable if a player is committed to attacking him.  This is at least true on faster surfaces.  Nadal may own the clay season in 2017, but this does not appear to be a year like 2010 in which Federer won the Australian Open and Nadal swept the next 3 majors.  I would not say Murray’s win restored order after a strange Australian Open, but Murray is in the driver’s seat with some unruly passengers as tennis heads into Indian Wells and Miami.

.@andy_murray wins 25th anniversary #DDFTennis Championships final.
🎾🎾Read:https://t.co/oDimgrM7a8 pic.twitter.com/4QDazUaBTj

— Dubai Tennis Champs (@DDFTennis) March 4, 2017

Murray wins one of the cooler trophies on tour