Murray wins Shanghai title

The win in China was Murray's third title in as many weeks, following victories in Bangkok and Tokyo, where he beat Rafael Nadal in the final.

The 24-year-old moves above Roger Federer in the ATP rankings, dropping the Swiss superstar out of the top three for the first time since June 2003, the month before he won the first of his 16 Grand Slam titles.

It is Murray's first appearance in the top three since March 2010.

Murray's start was typical of his recent form as he broke Ferrer's serve in the very first game, only for the world number five to respond by breaking back immediately.

The rest of the set went with serve until the 11th game, when Ferrer double-faulted to let Murray serve out the set, which the Briton duly did with back-to-back aces.

The second set began just as the first had, with both men failing to hold on their first service games. However, Ferrer had been veering between moments of brilliance and elementary errors toward the end of the first set, and that unsteadiness resurfaced when he hit a simple forehand smash into the net.

Murray took full advantage by converting the first of his two break points with an exquisite lob, and he then consolidated the break in the next game.

Ferrer, who like Murray has already booked his place at the season-ending ATP World Tour finals in London next month, produced some marvellous shots at the net as he aimed to snap a three-game losing streak against Murray, but he was unable to break him again.

Murray served out the match in aggressive fashion to win his fifth title of the year, and continue a run of form that stretches back to his semi-final appearance at the US Open in early September.