Murray said a positive attitude helped him bring down nemesis Novak Djokovic in the Rogers Cup final.
Djokovic had beaten Murray eight times in a row since the Briton's famous win in the 2013 Wimbledon final, but Sunday's final in Montreal saw Murray - set to assume the number two ranking from Roger Federer - earn a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win in three hours.
Murray, who dedicated the win to coach and new mother Amelie Mauresmo, said keeping his aggressive game-plan was key - as he kept his head in the deciding set.
It was not all easy for the two-time major winner, though, Djokovic providing stern resistance in saving three match points - and having break points for the chance to go back on serve.
Murray saved nine break points in the third set to win the ATP 1000 title.
"To win this one was nice, especially the way the match went as well," Murray said.
"It would have been easy for me to let that one slip away. But I fought well and stayed calm in the important moments of the third set.
"I think I did come up and play aggressively when I needed to. Especially in the third set when I was break points down, I finished a couple of points at the net, got some free points on my first serve, as well.
"I would say the margins were so fine... I felt like I played as aggressively as I could today. That helped."
Murray had six more winners, but also six more unforced errors, than Djokovic, but it was his efficiency at the net that stood out most.
The Scot won 15 of 22 times when he approached at a 68 per cent success rate, compared to Djokovic's 60 (23 of 38).
