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The three-time major winner converted four of
nine breakpoints to claim his first clay title since 2016, a
boost for the 35-year-old who said he hoped to play the French
Open later this month despite suffering early exits from Madrid
and Monaco.
It was Murray's third victory over a top-20 player this year and
the twice Olympic gold medallist is expected to climb from 52nd
to 42nd in the rankings after Sunday's win.
"This last year, 18 months, has been a bit of struggle with my
game. But (my team) have been there supporting me and working
with me to try and get better," Murray said in remarks provided
by the ATP. "We keep going from here."
Paul, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open
semi-finals in January, stumbled into a trio of double faults
and was unable to set up a single breakpoint opportunity in the
final two sets.
The Challenger Tour said Murray's win marked the longest gap
ever between titles on the secondary circuit, with Murray having
last won more than 17 years ago in Binghampton.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; editing by Clare Fallon)
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