Seldom has so much been riding on the final week of the regular ATP World Tour season. The stakes at this week’s BNP Paribas Masters in Paris-Bercy, have never been higher. Riding a 15-match winning streak, Andy Murray could overtake Novak Djokovic as World No. 1. But the margins are so thin that Djokovic has the opportunity to clinch the coveted year-end No. 1 Emirates ATP Ranking for the third consecutive year. And this is for certain: The final ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the year will determine the last two spots at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Murray, who has spent 76 weeks at No. 2 since first reaching the mark in 2009, can finally...
Marin Cilic sent a strong message to fellow contenders in the Emirates ATP Race To London, powering to the Swiss Indoors Basel title on Sunday. The fourth-seeded Croatian downed Kei Nishikori 6-1, 7-6(5), riding his dominant serve and potent forehand to victory after one hour and 37 minutes. Cilic notched his 16th tour-level title and second of the year. Two months after capturing his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati (d. Murray), he earned his first title at the 500 level. Cilic strengthened his position among the final two players looking to secure bids at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, boosting his point total to 3,090 in the Emirates ATP Race To London. Currently in...
Andy Murray turned the battle for No. 1 blazing hot on Sunday with his 6-3, 7-6(6) Erste Bank Open 500 title victory against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Vienna. The Scot now trails World No. 1 Novak Djokovic by just 415 points in the Emirates ATP Race To London heading into the final week of the ATP World Tour regular season. With 1,000 points up for grabs at the BNP Paribas Masters this week, Murray could surpass the Serbian if he wins the Paris title and Djokovic does not reach the final. But Djokovic controls his fate. If he reaches the final, he'll remain No. 1. Reaching No. 1 would be a historic achievement for Murray, who, on Monday, will have spent...