Andy Murray crushed Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the St Petersburg Open on Sunday to win his second title of the year on his debut appearance in Russia's second city.
The second seed broke Verdasco twice in each set to earn a comfortable victory for the third title of his career, after winning twice in San Jose.
The Spanish sixth seed, who had not dropped a set in his four previous matches on his way to the final, made far too many unforced errors to put up a good fight.
The win greatly enhanced Murray's chances of qualifying for next month's season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, featuring the world's top eight players.
Several players are still fighting for the two remaining spots, with the 20-year-old Scot moving up into the 11th spot, just three points behind eighth-placed German Tommy Haas.
