ATP Finals: Murray edges Nishikori, Wawrinka KOs Cilic

Since then, the 29-year-old has not played – or beat – a top-5 player in a final, and his US run was less than stellar, with Murray losing to Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori.

And he carries his 21-match winning streak into this week’s ATP World Tour finals as the newly-crowned world number one. That was where Murray sealed the victory with the same score-line, wrapping-up the match after 3 hours and 20 minutes.

“I’m a bit exhausted, obviously”, said Murray.

Djokovic said: “I felt most comfortable (on Thursday) of all the matches I’ve played”.

Djokovic, who is chasing the year-end No. 1 ranking this week at the season-ending tournament, praised the system at the ATP finals, where players can lose a match in the first round and still advance to the semifinals.

“Definitely I can’t play tomorrow because my ribs feel worse and worse”, Monfils said. “But I think it’s fair, correct and respectful towards a player that if you go over the first time, you at least get a head’s up”.

Murray was made to work by Nishikori, who claimed a 20-point tiebreak to win an 85-minute first set. One thing is for sure: “I’m going to give it all on the court and see what happens”.

To guarantee finishing 2016 in pole position, Murray must win the Tour Finals for the first time, with anything less giving Djokovic the chance to overhaul him.

Given Stan’s lack of consistency it’s hard to see him beating Murray in two sets, but it’s not out of the question, with three of the pair’s last four clashes going the way of the Swiss and in straight sets, too.

Since then, the Scot brought Czech ace Ivan Lendl back onto his team – a trick that did wonders for his game; Murray would win his second title at Wimbledon, and in doing so a third Grand Slam.

It proved to be significant as the inevitable tie break was bossed by Wawrinka who outlasted the world number seven in some long rallies before serving and volleying to great effect on the second of four set points to take it 7-3.

He added: “Andy it will be so great having you here in Switzerland on April 10th and to play the third Match for Africa together”.

Smith said: “This is about being able to sell our sport, inspire the children into this game and that’s worked well with half the kids staying in tennis, so that’s a really good sign”.

The initiative was launched earlier this year, with 13,290 children introduced to tennis with a free racket and coaching course, nearly half of whom have continued to play the sport.

Winning just one set against Wawrinka will get Murray through to the weekend. That’s all I’m trying to do.

“All of a sudden someone tells you you have to play in front of 15,000 people against Novak”. Although Murray broke his opponent in the third and fifth games, Nishikori had his chances and even won two games when the Brit was on the brink of victory at 5-2.

Kontinen and Peers are already assured of a semi-final place, having won both their matches in straight sets.

Obviously Wawrinka has to win the opening set and after a typically slow start to the tournament against Nishikori we saw a much-improved showing from the US Open champ in his narrow win over Cilic.