ANDY MURRAY WINS ABU DHABI WITH WALKOVER FROM DJOKOVIC & NADAL SNAGS THIRD PLACE BY RICKY DIMON

The last tournament of 2014 ended with a withdrawal from the final (Roger Federer, who had been scheduled to play Novak Djokovic at the World Tour Finals). Now the first event of 2015–albeit an exhibition–has concluded in the same fashion.

 

Ironically, it was Andy Murray who filled in for Federer to play an entertainment-only pro-set against Djokovic on championship Sunday at the 02 Arena. This time around it was Murray who became the beneficiary of a pullout by Djokovic from Saturday’s final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. Djokovic came down with a fever and thus handed the title–and the accompanying $250,000 prize–to his Scottish opponent.

 

“Unfortunately I am not to be able to play in the final in Abu Dhabi tonight,” the world No. 1 announced. “I’ve been sick today with a fever and I’m not fit to play. I said after my match last night, the crowds here have shown their love of tennis again this year and always inspire me to play my best, so I am hugely disappointed not to be able to play for them.

 

“I’ve had another great weekend in Abu Dhabi, meeting fans and coaching young players, and played some great tennis against the best players in the world. I love being a part of this tournament and I’m really disappointed not be able to take my chance of winning the trophy here again. Congratulations to Andy. It’s a shame I couldn’t play him today, but I’m sure we will meet again soon.

 

Thank you to everyone for all of your support over the last few days, I’ll see you soon.”

 

Fans at least got to see the third-place match between Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka. Both men were coming off blowout semifinal losses (Nadal against Murray and Wawrinka against Djokovic) and another straight-setter ensued. The second-ranked Spaniard frequently ran into trouble while attempting to consolidate breaks of serve, but he still managed to prevail 7-6(1), 6-3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I did make some mistakes, but in general I feel I played a positive match against another tough opponent,” Nadal explained. “So it is good to have this test and for me it is great to have an opportunity to play these two matches in Abu Dhabi and I thank the organizers for giving me this chance.

 

“The work I came to do here I believe is done, and I really hope these two matches will help me moving forward.”

 

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

Topics: Abu Dhabi, Andy Murray, Atp, Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Novak Djokovic, Rafa, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis

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