ANDY MURRAY WINS SHANGHAI TENNIS TITLE TO NEAR NO. 1 RANKING, KEEPS BAUTISTA AGUT OUT OF LONDON DISCUSSION & RICKY REVIEWS THE TOP GROUP OF PLAYERS
ANDY MURRAY WINS SHANGHAI TENNIS TITLE TO NEAR NO. 1 RANKING, KEEPS BAUTISTA AGUT OUT OF LONDON DISCUSSION & RICKY REVIEWS THE TOP GROUP OF PLAYERS | 
Andy Murray: 2016 Shanghai Rolex Masters champion. – Photo by @SHRolexMasters via Twitter.
By Ricky Dimon
Andy Murray continued his march toward Novak Djokovic’s No. 1 ranking in the world when he beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(1), 6-1 in the Shanghai Rolex Masters final on Sunday afternoon. Murray converted all four of his break-point opportunities to get the job done after one hour and 36 minutes.
The No. 2 seed seemingly seized control by breaking Bautista Agut for a 4-3 lead in the first set and he soon found himself serving at 5-4, 40-15. Bautista Agut, though, fought off three set points and eventually broke back for 5-5. But it was all for naught for the underdog Spaniard, as he won just a single point in the tiebreaker.
From there it was just about all over, because Murray pocketed additional service breaks for 2-0, 3-1, and 5-1 advantages in the second set. A love hold at 5-1 wrapped up the proceedings forf the second-ranked Scot.
“I did feel like I played better this week than last week,” said Murray, who also lifted a winner’s trophy last week in Beijing. “In all of the matches I was hitting the ball pretty clean.”
“I gave everything on this court,” Bautista Agut said during the trophy ceremony. “I really enjoy the conditions here in Shanghai. I enjoy the atmosphere. Everyday I played I gave everything, and today was not less. I think Andy’s playing really good tennis; I want to congratulate him and wish him good luck for the rest of the season.”
Photo by @SHRolexMasters via Twitter.
As a result of his summer and fall surge, which includes titles at Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, the Rio Olympics, Beijing, and Shanghai, Murray is now within 915 points of Djokovic in the 2016 race. A setback on Sunday would have left him more than 1,300 points south of the Serb.
“I believe I can get there,” Murray commented. “I definitely believe I can get there. These last few months have proved that to me. I’ll give it my best shot to do it, because I may never get another chance.”
Top 8
1. Novak Djokovic – 10,600 points. Last week: Shanghai semifinals. This week: Not playing.
2. Andy Murray – 9.685 points. Last week: Shanghai title. This week: Not playing.
3. Stan Wawrinka – 5,060 points. Last week: Shanghai third round. This week: Not playing.
4. Milos Raonic – 4,690 points. Last week: Shanghai third round. This week: Not playing.
5. Kei Nishikori – 4,360 points. Last week: Did not play. This week: Not playing.
6. Gael Monfils – 3,625 points. Last week: Shanghai third round. This week: If Stockholm Open.
7. Rafael Nadal – 3,300 points. Last week: Shanghai second round. This week: Not playing.
8. Dominic Thiem – 3,205 points. Last week: Did not play. This week: Not playing.
Next 4
9. Tomas Berdych – 2,870 points. Last week: Shanghai second round. This week: Not playing.
10. David Goffin – 2,645 points. Last week: Shanghai quarterfinals. This week: European Open.
11. Marin Cilic – 2,590 points. Last week: Shanghai second round. This week: Not playing.
12. Nick Kyrgios – 2,460 points. Last week: Shanghai second round. This week: Not playing.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Ricky Dimon, Roberto Bautista Agut, Shanghai Rolex Masters, Shanghai tennis final, SHRolexMasters, Sports, Tennis News
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