Andy Murray Defeats Novak Djokovic At ATP World Tour Finals

Murray started with a pair of double-faults in the opening game, but it was soon Djokovic that was struggling with his serve.

Djokovic recovered one break and raced through a service game to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Murray steadied the ship with a solid service hold to move within a game of victory.

That proved to be the last game he would win for some time, though, with Murray breaking at the next time of asking as part of a set-winning three-game streak.

It was his 10th victory on the trot against Nishikori and means the 12-time Grand Slam champion has lost just once in his last 23 matches at the O2 Arena.

Andy Murray set his sights on remaining top of the world rankings next year, but acknowledged the difficulty he faces in doing so.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Andy Murray of Britain during their ATP World Tour Finals singles final tennis match at the O2 arena in London, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016.

The Serbian, meanwhile, needed little more than an hour to swat aside Kei Nishikori, who was still feeling the effects of his own three-hour clash with Murray on Wednesday.

Raonic twice broke Murray when he served for the match and saved three match points but could not take the one chance that came his way in a remarkable deciding tie-break that eventually went the way of the home favourite. I think I’ve probably played better matches.

The 29-year-old Scot becomes the just the 17th man to hold such a title since the rankings were introduced in 1973 – and the first player other than Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Djokovic, who had won 24 of their 34 previous meetings, had described the contest as one of the biggest they would ever play.

“I have to be proud I finished the year with giving it every ounce of energy I had”.

After collecting his trophy and the $2,391,000 for winning the title without a loss, Murray was overjoyed.

“We’ve played Grand Slam finals and Olympic finals before, but I am very happy to win”, he told the BBC.

“I’m exhausted. I’ve played so much tennis over the last few months”, Murray said after dispatching Raonic.

“It’s taken a huge effort the last five, six months”, he said.

“Andy deserved to win”. He is the best player. This is one of hardest matches I’ve played indoors. It wasn’t really until the middle of the second set when the rallies started to get extended and longer that my legs were starting to feel it.