Murray downs Djokovic in straight sets to win ATP Masters

We played in all of the Slam finals, Olympics, and now a match to finish the year number one.

Murray beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 Sunday to earn his first title at the ATP finals, and make sure he remained No. 1 until next season.

Djokovic needed just 66 minutes to dispatch Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1.

“I guess even though he has had very long matches, especially the one yesterday [three hours and 38 minutes against Milos Raonic], people were thinking maybe he’s going to be slightly exhausted, but he didn’t seem so”. I think although I maybe made a few more mistakes than I would have liked, I think tactically I played a good match’.

The 17,000 spectators at the O2 Arena screamed at every twist and turn before Murray finally won.

“I mean obviously it’s a very special day, playing against Novak in a match like this”.

“It was a big, big match against someone that would be my main rival really throughout my career”.

Murray simply grew stronger and Djokovic more error-prone as the second set unfolded, two breaks giving him a seemingly impregnable 4-1 lead, before the champion fought back.

“I knew that the longer the match went, the worse I was going to feel, and probably the better he was going to play”.

The pair are now likely to battle for the No 1 spot in the opening months of the new campaign, but Djokovic insisted he was not yet planning for 2017 – and said Murray should not have to either. I’ll just give my best of what I’ve got.

“He played the best tennis in the decisive moments”.

However, Murray beat the Serb to win his first Italian Open title in May and surged past him in the rankings by winning his last four tournaments.

“There was no serious chance for me to win today’s match”, Djokovic said. “I’d like to congratulate Novak on everything he has achieved this year”. However, he ran into a major roadblock in the form of Andy Murray, who has been in imperious form since winning his third Grand Slam and second Wimbledon title this year. “When I go away in December to train, I’m training with the Australian Open in mind”, he said.

“I felt like I was playing for a No.1 rather than a tournament”.

Djokovic broke Nishikori in the Japanese player’s first service game and never looked back.

The Briton was then eventually able to come through 11-9, in the longest-ever ATP World Tour Finals match at three hours and 38 minutes. A 3-all match had Murray suddenly up a set and a double break.