RICKY TAKES A LOOK AHEAD TO LONDON & ANDY MURRAY & TOMAS BERDYCH’S WORLD TOUR FINALS CHANCES WITH TITLES

Written by: Staff on 19th October 2014

RICKY TAKES A LOOK AHEAD TO LONDON & ANDY MURRAY & TOMAS BERDYCH'S WORLD TOUR FINALS CHANCES WITH TITLES

epa04453623 Andy Murray of Britain reacts after winning against David Ferrer of Spain in the final match of the Erste Bank Open ATP tennis tournament in Vienna, Austria, 19 October 2014. EPA/GEORG HOCHMUTH |

Murray, Berdych boost World Tour Finals chances with titles

By Ricky Dimon

Sunday’s showdown between David Ferrer and Andy Murray at the Erste Bank Open not only had a title on the line but also World Tour Finals implications. The two veterans entered this week separated by one spot in the race to London, both outside the top eight with Ferrer in ninth and Murray in 10th.

Murray had the added motivation of avenging a recent Shanghai loss to Ferrer, and that’s exactly what the Scot did. He recovered from a set deficit to beat Ferrer 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 after two hours and 41 minutes of play.

David Ferrer of Spain in action against Andy Murray of Great Britain during their final match of the Erste Bank Open ATP tennis tournament in Vienna, Austria, 19 October 2014. EPA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

Andy Murray of Great Britain returns the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their final match of the Erste Bank Open ATP tennis tournament in Vienna, Austria, 19 October 2014. EPA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

In addition to his second title of the year (second of this fall swing, as well), Murray will climb to No. 8 in the race, passing both Ferrer and Milos Raonic. The Spaniard will remain in ninth, while Raonic–who lost his opening match in Moscow–will fall two spots to 10th.

“I have a chance,” Ferrer said, referring to the year-end championship. “There are two more weeks, which are important to get to London. I will try and be more positive next week.”

Tomas Berdych improved his chances by triumphing over fellow contender Grigor Dimitrov in the Stockholm title match. Like Murray, Berdych bounced back from a slow start to win in three sets–5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

The Czech will not move up from his current standing of No. 7 in the race because Marin Cilic prevailed in Moscow to stay ahead of Berdych. Cilic, though, already clinched a spot on Saturday when the Basel and Valencia draws were revealed. With Cilic of no concern to him, Berdych did well to separate himself just a bit from those behind him in the race. He will be more than 300 points ahead of Ferrer and Raonic.

Dimitrov, meanwhile, will stay in 11th place. The Bulgarian now needs to make up 330 points on Murray over the next two weeks in order to be in position for his first career World Tour Finals berth. That would require him passing Ferrer and Raonic, as well.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic with the trophy after winning the Stockholm Open men’s tennis final against Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria in Stockholm, Sweden, 19 October 2014. EPA/JONAS EKSTROMER SWEDEN OUT

Andy Murray of Great Britain with the Erste Bank Open Trophy during the winner ceremony after the final match against David Ferrer of Spain at the Erste Bank Open ATP tennis tournament in Vienna, Austria, 19 October 2014. EPA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Erste Bank Open, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Tomas Berdych, Vienna

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls_com says:

October 19, 2014 at 3:05 pm

@RD_Tennistalk TAKES A LOOK AHEAD TO #LONDON & @andy_murray & @tomasberdych’s WORLD TOUR FINALS CHANCES WITH TITLES- http://t.co/MGknKrwXOs
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 19, 2014 at 3:41 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: @RD_Tennistalk TAKES A LOOK AHEAD TO #LONDON & @andy_murray & @tomasberdych’s WORLD TOUR FINALS CHANCES WITH TITLES- http…