Scottish youngster Andrew Murray won his first big tournament in February 2006, beating Lleyton Hewitt at the San Jose Open. The 18-year-old defeated the former World No 1 in the final 2-6 6-1 7-6 just a day after beating another big-name player, US star Andy Roddick in the semi-finals.
The win, which came nine days before the end of the Laureus qualifying year, took Murray to 47 in the world rankings.
Murray had made a dramatic impact at Wimbledon last summer, beating Switzerland’s George Bastl and 14th seeded Czech Radek Stepanek in straight sets, then leading David Nalbandian by two sets before falling to defeat in five.
Acknowledged to be one of the best new talents to emerge in the men’s game, he finished as runner-up to Roger Federer in the Thailand Open in October, climbing 449 places in the world rankings during the year, though he was disappointingly knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open.
Murray first made an impact on the world stage when he followed in the footsteps of Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg and Andy Roddick by winning the 2004 US Open junior championship. He was so in command during the tournament that he dropped just one set all week.
