Andy Murray has won his first title on clay with 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 7-6 (7-4) victory over German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the final in Munich Open.
It was the 32nd ATP title race Scottish as he prepares for the French Open at the end of the month.
In a match interrupted by rain, the top seed needed just over three hours to beat the world number 24 Kohlschreiber.
“It was a tough match, was very close to the line and I was frustrated,” said Murray, 27.
He became the first Briton to win an ATP event on clay ranking since Buster Mottram in Palma in April 1976.
Murray, playing in his first tournament since long-term girlfriend Kim Sears got married last month, added: “I did not realize that I was the first Briton to win on clay for so long, so that’s obviously an honor. ”
He and Kohlschreiber could meet again in the second round of the Madrid Masters this week.
The final will be resumed on Monday after heavy rain stopped play on Sunday night Kohlschreiber 3-2 lead in the first set.
Both players held serve with confidence to take the first game in the tie-break and was world number three Murray, seen by new coach Jonas Bjorkman, who the mini-break was to snatch the set after almost an hour .
Murray had three break points at 4-3 in the second set, but Kohlschreiber stayed calm and then broke Murray in the 11th game before serving to level the match.
There were no breaks in the third set and Murray clinched victory on his second match point in another tie-break when Kohlschreiber, winning in Munich in 2007 and 2012, sent a backhand long.
