The ManicaPost
More fool anyone who writes off the chances of Novak Djokovic bookending this strange tennis year with one last triumph.
| The 29 year-old Serb may have let his high standards slip since Paris, may have more people in his backroom team than you can shake a stick at, but he can still call upon the most stubborn of competitive instincts. |
On Tuesday night, he withstood the powerful assault of Milos Raonic to win 7-6, 7-6 and threaten to take the battle for the year-end world number one spot right down to the tour season’s last gasp.
His victory guaranteed him a place in the weekend’s semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, and he is effectively two matches from racking up the kind of triumph that littered his first half of the year.
Andy Murray has to match his performance here to maintain the top position, and this afternoon faces Kei Nishikori. In the doubles, his brother Jamie is within touching distance of the last four after yesterday’s early win.
Djokovic upped his level from Sunday and took a pulsating first tiebreak 8-6 against the Canadian powerhouse, who hit 42 winners. Reeling against the ropes to take it to a second tiebreak, the world number two edged it 7-5 to win in two hours and 14 minutes.
While being the year-end number one is hugely emblematic, Ivan Lendl reiterated his view that winning major titles is way more important.
Lendl has not been coaching in the Murray camp since Flushing Meadows, and told Sky that he was slightly surprised that Andy reached number one in his absence.
‘A little bit,’ he admitted. ‘ I knew he had it in him and I think the whole team has done a fantastic job. Obviously Andy has been playing really well so things happen a little quicker, but I was hoping that he would do it anyway.’
But the Czech still values his eight Grand Slam titles above else: ‘It was all about the majors for me. If you win enough majors, you are going to end up No 1.
‘I became No 1 twice, the first time by fluke of rankings for a week, when I was somewhere in South America for Davis Cup. The second time I played John McEnroe for it at the US Open and after that I didn’t play for four or five weeks, so I just stayed home and worked on my game.’
When Murray faces world number five Nishikori in his second group match he will be hoping to erase the memory of his painful quarter final exit in New York.
Fatigued from the Olympics, it was notable for the Japanese player’s brilliant use of the dropshot, to which he had no answer.
Despite his excellent performance against Cilic, you suspect that Murray must be tired again, although he would not be alone in that among the field.
In the wake of his win over the Croatian, ultimately more comfortable than anticipated, Murray asserted that he has enough left to last him the week, and more than twelve months ago.
‘It helps that I have got a rest after this and I am playing for something this week,’ he said. ‘ I don’t have a Davis Cup final in a couple of weeks’ time which could potentially be distracting. And the atmosphere helps – it is the best I have played in here.’
Whatever happens in his contest for number one it will not be long before he is heading to Miami to work with Lendl and co-coach Jamie Delgado.
‘ I think both of them will have gained each other’s trust, especially with what I have done since the US Open. In the off season it will be good to see how they work together,’ he said.
Brother Jamie earlier teamed with Bruno Soares to score a 6-3 6-3 victory over the once-dominant Bryan brothers. It was their second straight sets win in the group stages, and they should make it to the last four.
Although they are both going for number one, the two brothers have not had much to do with each other this week. Jamie has been keeping a watching eye as his sibling tries to retain number one.
‘I guess he has to keep winning, like us,’ said the doubles specialist. ‘That makes things easier for everyone. I’m sure he’s super motivated. He seemed like it in the match yesterday. Right from the beginning, he seemed pretty fired up. ‘It’s been a ridiculous year hasn’t it? For him to finish No. 1, that’s his goal. What an achievement it would be if he does do it.’
Ottawa is expected to be announced today as the venue for next year’s Davis Cup first round tie between Canada and Great Britain. — Daily Mail Sport
