By Mike McIntyre

Andy Murray defeated world number one Rafael Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 today in Abu Dhabi to win the inaugural Capitala World Tennis Championship. Although merely an exhibition tournament you can be sure that both players today were gunning for the win as they prepare for the Australian Open later this month. The tight score would indicate a close match, but surely a huge confidence boost for Murray who has now defeated Nadal two matches in a row after being beaten in their first five encounters. Consecutive victories over Federer and Nadal would surely put a smile on my face.

So how much stock do we place in this early season meeting of some of the world's best players? Do any of the results this week influence your early predictions for the first Slam of the year? I was pretty high on Murray to start 2009 strong even before he demolished James Blake 6-2, 6-2 in the opening round of the tournament. He finished last season by attaining his first Grand Slam final and also winning in St. Petersburg and the Masters Series event in Madrid. He also defeated Andy Roddick, Gilles Simon and Roger Federer in round robin play of the Tennis Masters Cup before running out of steam in the semifinals against Nikolay Davydenko. His recent success over both Federer and Nadal is impressive and let's not forget he has also won the last two meetings against world number three, Novak Djokovic. This could be the year Murray grabs the headlines. I think a Slam is certainly within his grasp in 2009, and he himself has admitted that Australia is the best bet for his game.

Of course Roger and Rafa both played him hard and took it to a third set. If the finals against Rafa were a best of five I think the Spaniard would have had the physical advantage. The tournament in Abu Dhabi has got me more excited than ever for the start of the regular ATP season. There are four powerful players who all have a realistic shot at Grand Slam success this year. Predictions anyone?