Plenty of beheadings in London, but who will reign?

THERE have been no fireworks on court to speak of this week, but plenty of beheadings in an arena starved of any real competition. It has been easy pickings for the world No 1 and No 2, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, with a last-gasp victory from British No 1 Andy Murray, propped up by 18 000-odd partisans in his match against Milos Raonic or by default, in that the Canadian was playing at half-mast, after tearing a quad muscle. He subsequently retired.

But in the final furlong, not even a frenzied O2 crowd could save Murray from annihilation by Swiss maestro Federer.

Swiss teammate Stan Wawrinka seemed momentarily to have got his mojo back, with or without therapy, having lost only one point on his first serve in his match against Tomas Berdych.

Yet again the final result can be put down to Berdych’s forehand having gone north by northwest – the Czech produced his worst match of the season.

Meanwhile, US Open champion Marin Cilic is confirming my scepticism. He shouldn’t even be in this line-up. How he won that final Grand Slam, only heaven and Goran Ivanisovic know.

Having compared Kei Nishikori with David Ferrer last week, it is ironical the two came face to face in one of the more enjoyable matches after Ferrer replaced Raonic in the wake of the Canadian’s injury. It was a backhand-to-backhand crosscourt duel on the baseline in which the Japanese Road Runner predictably prevailed, given the Spaniard was thrown a late curve-ball into the glaring limelight.

All in all there has been better entertainment on offer in the wings, where the least likeable player on court, Murray, was at least guaranteed not to walk away empty-handed. The Association of Tennis Professionals has awarded him the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award which has also been won by the more charming Spanish player, Carlos Moya, and Nelson Mandela.

Murray has impressively thrown his weight behind Unicef, United for Wildlife, and Cancer and Malaria No More, although I secretly hoped he would back the “Mauresmo No More” lobby in- stead. It might have served him better. Still, this is a major accolade and a big feather in the Scot’s “good behaviour” cap.

It reminds me of the US Clay Court Championships in Chicago, where I beat Arthur Ashe and then-American No 1, Alex Olmeda, on the back of his Davis Cup victory. Both of them reacted badly and went beserk, throwing their rackets around and breathing fire and brimstone on South Africa, so much so that I was awarded the Marlboro Trophy for Good Sportsmanship. Again this was more on account of their losing their cool than my big smile and accommodating line-calls.

Federer more deservedly has walked away with the Stefan Edberg Trophy for Good Sportsmanship for the 10th year running, voted for not by sponsors and officials but by fellow players. This prestigious award was presented by the Ice Man himself, Federer’s coach and idol Stefan Edberg.

As Nishikori, whom the Swiss had demolished in straight sets, pointed out: “Roger should be getting the trophy for longevity and for playing the best tennis he has ever played in his life, at the age of 33!” – a thought echoed by Djokovic before the tournament even started, even if he was playing mind games.

Djokovic’s Australian Open demolition of Stan Wawrinka, who had overcome nerves to beat the Serb when it counted, suggests the world No 1 is in full control of his mental faculties. However, as safe as his No 1 spot is, it was never going to be a slam dunk because the world No 2 was equally switched on and yapping at his heels, louder than the queen’s corgis.

Djokovic, vocal about most controversial subjects as a rule, has suggested it is high time these World Tour Finals – which have been a massive success, if lacking the competitive element this year – be moved to another, less entrenched international location to promote the game globally.

If ever there were a neck of the woods where tennis needed reinvention, never mind a kick-start, it is South Africa.

With Federer’s South African connection and Sol Kerzner’s foresight in building Sun City, we would stand an outside chance, like Murray, of walking away with a new “trophy” – a tournament featuring the best in the world, the likes of which we haven’t seen since Owen Williams’s Grand Prix extravaganzas at Ellis Park.

So, as Federer will be saying in his quest today to upstage Die Hard Djokovic: “LET’S DO IT!”