The first title of the year for Murray, and a decent boost for him ahead of the Indian Wells Open, which starts on 6 March.

It's his first title in Dubai, making him the first Brit to win the title, and his 45th overall.

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Andy Murray on his victory today: "Obviously I'm very happy to do it here for the first time. It's been a good start to the year.

"Often when you get through matches like that (quarter-final against Philipp Kohlschreiber) it settles you down for the rest of the tournament.

"It's been quite a few late finishes this week. Maybe the last couple of matches, I didn't start as well as I would like. It's been the same for all the players, a bit tricky with the rain. Once I got going today, I was moving well and I finished strong.

On what's next: "I struggled at the Indian Wells and Miami last year, I didn't play so well. This year has given me great momentum."

Not the most fluent of performances from Murray, and he was helped by a shaky effort from Verdasco. He's secured his first title in Dubai though.

Verdasco tries an overhead drop shot, but it's in an awkward position and it sails into the net. Verdasco puts his hands on his knees and drops his head. It's been one of those days.

Into the net goes his backhand, and that's 30-0 to Murray. Too good from Murray, Verdasco racing back and forth before Murray pops it over the net. Three championship points to Murray.

Murray's looked more comfortable in this second set, although Verdasco hasn't tested him nearly enough as he might have. He's serving for his first Dubai title.

The umpire tells the crowd to "relax!" as they furiously applaud Verdasco after that last ace.

Break point number three comes up as Verdasco nets his forehand, but a nifty challenge from Verdasco means the point will be replayed.

The Spaniard ends up sprawling under Murray's attack, and his overhead shot is out. A break for Murray, and he'll be serving for the title.

Verdasco tries to flick the ball up from deep on the baseline but sends it flying out of bounds, before he finally chucks a bit of firepower into his second serve to draw the error out of Murray.

The Spaniard fights back to make it deuce, Murray shaking his head as a few shots go awry. Frustration for Verdasco though as his drop shot hits the net and Murray's box are on their feet. An ace takes it back to deuce.

Overhead smash from Murray as Verdasco miscues his shot into the air, before down comes a winner to take it to 30-15.

Verdasco's fading now, especially with Murray finding his range with his first serve, before Verdasco knocks his forehand into the net. 

Lovely from Murray, up on tiptoes to hammer a shot beyond Verdasco, before he nets with a nothing sort of return.

That's better from Verdasco, taking advantage of a few Murray fluffs to hold his serve. Murray taps his racquet against his knee in irritation.

Murray is being given plenty of time on the ball and that's an easy hold for him. He's found a bit of rhythm, Verdasco slicing into the net a few times, and the Spaniard's foot movement isn't great.

* denotes next server

Image source, Getty Images

Verdasco thinks he's won a point up at the net but that is superb from Murray. He rushes forward to meet the drop shot and goes cross court with a forehand, Verdasco barely moving to meet it.

The Spaniard saves one break point as he finally wins a point at the net, Murray unable to turn in time, but that's an assured forehand winner from Murray.

Verdasco chunters to himself frustrations as his forehand twice goes flying out and he can't take advantage of Murray's second serve, again spearing his forehand out.

Oops. That's, er, not great from Verdasco. In theory it was a lovely, floaty backhand. In reality he's netted it and looked a bit daft. He changed his shot just before the ball arrived, and paid the price. Murray holds.

Murray has Verdasco scampering up and down the baseline, the Spaniard twisting on a backhand, before another tussle at the net goes Murray's way. Verdasco's forehand is messy, no pace on it at all, and it's far too easy for Murray to drop over the net.

An ace gives Verdasco a 40-30 lead, before another ensures he holds. Plenty of gusto on that one.

Murray won 32 points in that first set to Verdasco's 20, and Verdasco has won nothing when he's come up to the net.

Neither of them look comfortable, but Murray's extra fizz - and his ability to channel that irritation into his serve, which has improved as the match has gone on - means he's taken the first set.

Murray has started to get going, an ace and then a slammed forehand letting him race to a 40-0 lead.

Out goes Verdasco's forehand, and that's game and first set to Murray. He's had barely any rhythm, he's looked frustrated and annoyed, yet he's taken the first set in just over half an hour. 

Verdasco squandered a 40-0 lead in that last game. He's thoroughly unimpressed.

Verdasco puts some extra zip into his serve and Murray's floaty backhand goes awry, before a hammered forehand winner makes it 30-0.

That's wasteful from Verdasco though, a fine double-handed forehand looking to have won the game, but Murray gets a touch and Verdasco, edging forward, nets.

Break point Murray now, Verdasco too gentle on his serve, before he misses his forehand again! Hands on hips time from Verdasco.

Four double faults from Murray so far, and only 46% on his first serve. He's not looked best pleased.

Ah, there's that familiar "come on!" from Murray as he batters an ace past Verdasco. 

Brilliant work from this pair now, the longest rally of the match, ending with Verdasco sprawled on the floor. He was pushing Murray further back before hopping to the net, but Murray was equal to it in the end.

A double fault gets the Spaniard on the board, but ultimately it's an easy hold for Murray.