Murray clinches berth in World Tour Finals, last three spots still in play
Andy Murray’s late-season surge officially has him in the World Tour Finals after the Scot rolled over Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-3 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Masters on Thursday afternoon. Murray, who is 20-2 since the U.S. Open with all three of his 2014 titles coming this fall, cruised into the Paris quarterfinals and set up a showdown with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Immediately after his London-clinching win, Murray wrote “Bad year!” on one of the television cameras. It was, of course, a reference to talk of the two-time major champion having endured a less-than-stellar 2014 campaign, but it is now a season–despite starting with back injury concerns–that will culminate with a year-end championship appearance.
Stan Wawrinka has already booked his ticket to London, which is good news for him since he bowed out from Paris at the hands of Kevin Anderson on Thursday. Wawrinka served for the match at 5-4 in the third set but ultimately lost 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(3).
“I will have time to rest and practice a lot just to be ready for [London],” Wawrinka suggested. “The good thing is I have experience. I’ve played this tournament before. I will just concentrate on what I’m doing and I hope I will be fit to be there.”
Three more men will eventually be there, joining a field that is already sure to include Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Roger Federer, and Marin Cilic. The four players still vying for spots are Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berych, David Ferrer, and Milos Raonic.
Raonic has to progress further in Paris than Ferrer in order to secure a place in London, which means the Canadian will have to upset Roger Federer on Friday in order to have any chance. Both Raonic and Ferrer could make it only if they face each other in the final and Raonic wins.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Bnp Paribas Masters, David Ferrer, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Kei Nishikori, Kevin Anderson, milos raonic, Novak Djokovic, Paris, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis, Tomas Berdych
@andy_murray CLINCHES BERTH IN WORLD TOUR FINALS (#ATP), @RD_Tennistalk REPORTS ON THE RACE, THRILLING #TENNIS- http://t.co/94j7Y74gNw
RT @10sBalls_com: @andy_murray CLINCHES BERTH IN WORLD TOUR FINALS (#ATP), @RD_Tennistalk REPORTS ON THE RACE, THRILLING #TENNIS- http://t.…