Andy Murray started 2012 on a positive note with his vicotry in Australia
The Scot's form at the beginning of the week in Queensland had been patchy but convincing victories over Marcos Baghdatis and Bernard Tomic in his last two games provided a springboard for this, his best performance of the fledgling season.
Murray, who has been striking the ball better and better as the week has progressed, signed off from Queensland in style, his fluidity on court and hard hitting proving too much for the Ukrainian to handle.
Celebrations in the Murray camp - which again included coach Ivan Lendl in the stands - should be tempered by the knowledge that Dolgopolov was struggling with a slight niggle, but nevertheless such a convincing victory will provide a shot of confidence for the Scot as he heads to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year.