Murray and Djokovic to clash in London finale for world number one ranking

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will do battle for the world number one ranking in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, as both players secured contrasting wins to set up a blockbuster and fitting finale. Novak Djokovic progressed by demolishing Kei Nishikori in straight sets, but earlier on Andy Murray needed to battle back from a set and a break down against Milos Raonic to force a decider. In the third set, the Brit twice failed to close out the match on his own serve but in a marathon tie-break, Murray was not to be denied and eventually prevailed 5-7 7-6 7-6, in what was a gripping yet exhausting encounter.

In the opening set, both players held their first few service games easily but at 2-2, Murray was forced to save a break point before going 3-2 up. On the other hand, Raonic continued to cruise though his own service games and at 4-4, extended his opponent into a lengthy game but once again Murray erased more break points to forge ahead. Even though the Brit had done extremely well so far to cling onto his serve, eventually the pressure from his opponent was too much and an error strewn game at 5-5 from the world number one was punctuated with a costly double fault, to gift Raonic the late break. The Canadian maintained his composure and his high quality performance on serve to close out the set, sealing it with a trademark unreturnable serve to take the lead in the contest.

As the second set unfolded, Murray looked to respond and held break points in Raonic’s first service game of the set, but the Brit was unable to capitalise as his opponent survived to hold for 1-1. The combination of Murray’s inconsistent tennis and Raonic’s impressive level saw the world number one under threat in the following game, and despite Murray’s resistance, the Brit netted a forehand to concede his serve and fall behind 2-1. Leading by a set and a break, Raonic appeared to be in control of the match but Murray quickly responded, capitalising on an erratic game from his opponent to hit back and draw level at 2-2. The Brit was beginning to find his form as he held his serve and threatened to break his opponent again, but this time Raonic stood firm to keep the scoreline tight at 3-3. Both players then were able to hold their service games despite the tension increasing late on, which meant the set would reach a tie-break. In the tie-break, Murray raised his level to initially take control and build a 5-3 lead, but Raonic refused to lie down and crushed a forehand winner to peg his opponent back to 5-5. However, in the next exchange, Murray claimed a vital point on Raonic’s serve with a delicate volley at the net to craft a set point, and the Brit clinched the set on his own serve when Raonic’s forehand return drifted wide to level the match at one set apiece.

In the third set though, it was Raonic who looked dangerous as he crafted early break points but once more Murray resisted the pressure, before holding his serve for 1-1. Then, both players were relatively untroubled during their next few service games, but at 4-4, a series of errors from Raonic gave Murray break points and a netted backhand from the Canadian gifted the world number one the break, and also the chance to serve out the match. But, the Brit could not close it out as Raonic’s persistence with his aggressive tennis paid off, as he broke back with an overhead smash to level the set at 5-5. However, the Canadian was unable to build momentum as a double fault followed by a netted forehand handed Murray back the break advantage to go up 6-5, and also another chance to see out the victory. But, in another dramatic twist, the Brit once again couldn’t get over the line and seemed unsettled by nerves, which Raonic fully capitalised on to break again and send the match to a deciding tie-break.

In the tie-break, a marathon ensued as Raonic clawed his way back from an early deficit and dramatically saved match points, showing incredible resilience to eventually hold a match point of his own at 9-8. However, Murray remained composed and saved it with a neat volley at the net, before setting up another match point when Raonic’s return went wide to edge 10-9 ahead. Both players had contributed to a captivating final set tie-break but despite Raonic’s remarkable battling spirit to deny Murray throughout the third set, the Canadian finally gave in and a netted forehand sealed a very hard-fought win for Murray, to keep the Brit’s hopes of retaining his world number one ranking alive.

However, Murray’s gruelling win was a contrast to the later semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori, as the Serbian, who is the defending champion, produced a masterclass to dismantle the Japanese player 6-1 6-1.

This means that both Murray and Djokovic will go head to head in what promises to be an intriguing showdown on Sunday, as both players will play for the right to hold the world number one status and claim the last tournament trophy of the season.