The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has retained his world number one ranking as the Brit saw off long-term rival Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to clinch the ATP World Tour Finals title in London and conclude a memorable year for British tennis. Murray was clinical throughout and capitalised on a surprisingly inconsistent performance from his opponent, only needing one break to clinch the first set. Djokovic’s form didn’t improve in the second set as the Serbian soon found himself down a double break but even though the defending champion clawed one break back, Murray held on to end the season as the top ranked player of the world.
In the early stages of the first set, both players were dominant on serve, with the Brit showing little effects of his marathon win over Milos Raonic in the semi-finals. At 3-2 up, it was Murray who forged the first break points of the match but he could not capitalise, as Djokovic just survived a lengthy game to level the scoreline at 3-3. However, at 4-3, the combination of the Brit’s solid play and Djokovic’s wayward shot-making saw the Serbian under more pressure and this time, Murray seized the crucial break with a probing forehand groundstroke that left Djokovic stretching, to move 5-3 ahead. Now serving for the set, the Brit continued to benefit from his opponent’s erratic form and Murray clinched a routine opening set when Djokovic netted a backhand, to take the lead in the contest.
As the second set unfolded, Djokovic was still struggling to find his form and continued to break down in the extended baseline rallies, conceding his opening service game with another error to gift his opponent the early lead. Murray though was in unforgiving mood as he quickly consolidated the break to move 2-0 up. Even though Djokovic held his next service game, the Serbian was still displaying a very uncharacteristically lacklustre performance and Murray fully capitalised to open up a 3-1 lead. In the following game, the Brit was relentless as he set up more break points after ripping a remarkable backhand passing shot winner past a stranded Djokovic at the net, before ruthlessly punishing his opponent’s erratic shot-making once more to gain the double break and establish a commanding 4-1 lead. However, the defending champion finally mounted a response and broke back in the following game, before holding serve quickly to reduce the deficit to 4-3. Murray though regrouped and was proving to be too solid, extracting enough errors to move 5-3 ahead. Djokovic forced his opponent to serve for the match and even saved match points, but the Serbian’s inconsistent tennis which had been shown throughout the encounter proved to be too much to overcome, as Murray eventually wrapped up the victory when Djokovic’s return drifted wide, to clinch his first title at the season-ending event.
With this victory, Murray ensures that he remains the world number one and has extended his unbeaten run to 24 matches. In addition, the Brit can add his first ATP World Tour Finals title to a glittering season of silverware which includes tournament wins in Rome, Paris, China, Vienna and Shanghai, as well as his second Wimbledon title and Olympic gold medal.
However, there was also success for Andy’s brother Jamie as he and Bruno Soares claimed the world number one spot in the doubles rankings, despite losing in the semi-finals in London to Rajeev Ram and Raven Klaasen. However, it was John Peers and Henri Kontinen who secured the title at the season-ending finale, beating Ram and Klaasen 2-6 6-1 10-8.
