ON-FIRE MURRAY SURGING TOWARD LONDON, FEDERER IMPROVES NO. 1 CHANCES BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 26th October 2014

ON-FIRE MURRAY SURGING TOWARD LONDON, FEDERER IMPROVES NO. 1 CHANCES BY RICKY DIMON

epa04465195 British tennis player Andy Murray lifts up the trophy after his victory against Tommy Robredo in the final match for the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament in Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING |

Andy Murray soared from eighth to fifth in the 2014 ATP race to the World Tour Finals by outlasting Tommy Robredo 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(8) in an epic final of the Valencia Open on Sunday. Although he has not yet mathematically clinched, Murray’s third title of the fall swing makes him virtually a lock to qualify for London.

This title, however, will undoubtedly be appreciated by Murray for more than just improving his World Tour Finals chances. To say he had to work hard for this winner’s trophy would be an understatement. For the second time in as many meetings with Robredo (they also faced each other in last month’s Shenzhen final), Murray saved five championship points against the Spaniard before triumphing.

“I know it was an incredible match,” the third-seeded Scot reflected after spending three hours and 20 minutes on court. “The tennis at the end and in the second set was high level. I played well at the right moments.

Spanish tennis player Tommy Robredo returns the ball to Scotish Andy Murray during during their final match for the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament in Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING

Scotish tennis player Andy Murray returns the ball to Spanish Tommy Robredo during their final match for the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament in Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING

“It was an amazing match, and you have to enjoy it,” Robredo explained. “Unfortunately someone has to win and it was decided by a few balls. It is what it is. I guess that when I finish the season next week and I watch today’s match against one of the best players we have right now, I will be very happy.”

It was an all-around happy day in Switzerland, as well. The home fans got to watch their hero, Roger Federer, coast to a sixth title at the Swiss Indoors Basel. Playing in his ninth consecutive final at the event, Federer made short work of David Goffin with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 performance.

The 33-year-old is suddenly within 1,000 points of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, with both the Paris Masters and London still remaining on the schedule.

“It would be very special to reclaim No. 1,” Federer assured. “World No. 1 is what it’s all about in our game. With the year I have had and the amount of finals I have played, the level of tennis I have played, I am pleased to see that I have a shot. But having a shot and being there is two separate things. I am sure that Novak is going to come in very motivated. There are clearly interesting weeks ahead.”

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

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis News, Tommy Robredo, Valencia Open

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10sBalls_com says:

October 26, 2014 at 4:10 pm

ON-FIRE @andy_murray SURGING TOWARD #LONDON, @rogerfederer IMPROVES NO. 1 CHANCES BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/aBjXjNS5mq #tennis #ATP
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 26, 2014 at 4:20 pm

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PromoteInLondon says:

October 26, 2014 at 4:24 pm

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Share4London says:

October 26, 2014 at 4:26 pm

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