Roger Federer fought to his 24th consecutive victory in a tournament final Sunday, encountering stiff resistance from Briton Andy Murray 6-3, 7-5 before claiming a second straight title at the 550,000-dollar Thailand Open.
Federer, the world number one and current tennis standard bearer, won his 31st consecutive match with the one hour, 23-minute effort.
The Swiss top seed now owns an ATP-leading 11 trophies this season, one more than near challenger Rafael Nadal. It was the seventh time this season that the Swiss has defended a title.
He has now lifted his fifth trophy in as many tournaments entered, improving to 77-3 on the season.
Murray put in a respectable performance in his first career final during the breakthrough week of his career.
Before coming to Bangkok as a wild card entry, the 18-year-old had never gotten to the quarter-final of a top-level event.
He will breach the Top 100 for the first time after starting the year outside the Top 400. Murray stands 12-9 on the season and will become the youngest Britain to enter the Top 100 since 1974.