Andy Murray crushed Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the St Petersburg [Images] Open on Sunday to win his second title of the year on his debut appearance in Russia's [Images] 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.