ATP Finals: Andy Murray edges Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka KOs Marin Cilic

Their latest matchup set a record.

The mathematical complexities of the tournament mean there is now only one way that Murray can not qualify for the event’s semi-finals: if he is defeated in straight sets in his final match against Stan Wawrinka and Nishikori beats Marin Cilic in the remaining match in Group John McEnroe.

Top-ranked Murray needed 3 hours, 20 minutes to separate himself from Nishikori.

After grinding out a tough first set which he sealed on his fifth set point, Nishikori was promptly broken to start the second, and then was down two breaks in the third despite dictating numerous rallies.

Wawrinka would need to win in straight sets if Nishikori defeats Cilic, to qualify.

Murray was pushed to his limits by Nishikori in the longest Tour Finals match played in the event’s seven years at London’s O2 Arena.

It may not be essential, but Murray has plenty of incentives to win his final group match – not least the knowledge that doing so would mean he could not face Novak Djokovic until the final, setting up a straight shoot-out for world number one. I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be a bit sore. Glued behind the baseline, the indefatigable Brit scurried over and executed the most mesmeric backhand passing shot we’ve likely seen this year. “Think it was great match, both of us”.

Not since 2001 has the No.1 ranking changed in the final week of the season. Given a rare chance to coach a national team for a second World Cup cycle, Klinsmann is under renewed scrutiny by critics who claim his reign has gone stale.

“I wasn’t able to dictate numerous points”, said Murray. Interim manager Gareth Southgate insisted Rooney’s absence from Tuesday’s friendly against Spain was due to an injury sustained Friday against Scotland. I got some free points on my serve, but it was tough, especially in the first two sets.

Smith said: “To get to that No1 spot he’s had to post 21 wins in a row and that’s a story of commitment and determination and desire to get out there and work hard every day”. In the first set, obviously had the set point. I’m happy with many things tonight-the way I was mentally on the court, the way I was moving….

For all of Murray’s achievements this year, this was the first time he played a top-five opponent since June, when he lost to Djokovic in the French Open final.

“I didn’t feel like I was hitting the ball as well as I would have liked”, said Murray.

Murray beat the World No.5 in five sets after almost five hours in the Davis Cup in Birmingham in March, while Nishikori reversed the result over five sets and almost four hours at the US Open in September.

Djokovic was in ruthless mood and breaks in the third and fifth games of the second set effectively ended the contest.

Nishikori showed commendable resolve to retrieve one break, but Murray served out at the second time of asking for his 21st successive win.

Despite looking tired, Murray broke again before levelling the match by holding his serve after saving two break points.

It turned into one of the longest three setters of the season and with 88 unforced errors to boot it won’t go down as the classic that a few observers seemed to believe and it may well have an adverse affect on Murray’s fitness in the matches to come.