Andy Murray will have the experience edge when the top seed faces untested Donald Young in Sunday's final of the ATP Thailand Open. Murray needed six match points and nerves of steel to beat long-time opponent Gilles Simon 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in Saturday's semi-finals.
He has now won his last eight matches against the third-seeded Frenchman dating to 2008. Murray will be looking for his third 2011 title after winning Queen's and the Cincinnati Masters.
The left-handed Young needed nearly three hours to upset second seed Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) and reach his first career final. "You got into matches with him knowing that you have to work hard," said world number four Murray after his win against Simon.
"I was feeling good in the last game, but I had to stay patient and not rush. It's nice to get through into another final here," said the Scot, who played the 2005 final - the first of his career - against Roger Federer. "I'm sure Donald will play tough, he went for his shots against Gael, but it's his first final and there are sure to be some nerves. I just hope I can take advantage of that."
Murray lost to the number 55 in an Indian Wells upset in March but defeated the young American in their fourth round match at the US Open. The 55th-ranked Young now stands 18-13 on the season after playing in only his second career semi-final at the ATP level. Monfils at number nine remains the highest-ranked player not to win a title so far this season.
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