The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Andy Murray moved one step closer to becoming world no 1 by winning the Erste Bank Open in Vienna yesterday, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final.
Scot closes in on world No 1 with straight-sets victory over Tsonga
Andy Murray took a step closer to overtaking Novak Djokovic as world No 1 by winning his third successive title at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
The Scot defeated Frenchman JoWilfried Tsonga 6-3 7-6 (8-6) in the final to add to the titles he won in Beijing and Shanghai earlier this month.
Murray can top the rankings for the first time in his career as early as November 7 if he wins next week’s Masters event in Paris and Djokovic fails to reach the final.
A final appearance for Murray with Djokovic not making the last four would also be good enough.
“The last few months have been very good,” said Murray.
“I think I played my best tennis of the tournament today. Jo fought well and started playing a lot better. He was more aggressive and taking some more chances and making the shots.”
It has been a remarkable last six months for Murray, who has now won seven titles – the most in a season in his career – and lost just three matches since the French Open in June.
His 15th win in a row did not look in any doubt for a set and a half.
Tsonga, who had won only two of 15 previous meetings with Murray, was broken in his opening service game and made far too many errors to trouble the world No 2.
The Frenchman was staring at a heavy defeat at 1-3 and 0-40 down in the second set but played some fine points to hold serve.
That proved the catalyst for a revival from Tsonga, who recovered the break and forced a tie-break.
But it was Murray who prevailed, the 29-year-old clinching victory with his fifth ace on his second match point.
Murray also won the title in Vienna in 2014 but in very different circumstances as he battled to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Tsonga said: “Next week he has the chance to be No 1. I hope it will be the case, except if I play against him in Paris.”
Djokovic has admitted to a feeling of burn-out since completing his career grand slam at the French Open in June.
But he declared himself rejuvenated on arrival in Paris having sat out this week’s tournaments and will not give up his crown without a fight.
The Serbian, who has won the title in the French capital for the last three years, told a press conference: “He definitely deserves to be in the position to finish up the year as No 1.
“Whether or not that’s going to happen, it doesn’t depend only on him. It depends on me, as well.”
Marin Cilic boosted his chances of joining Murray and Djokovic at the O2 next month by beating Kei Nishikori 6-1 7-6 (7-5) in the final of the Swiss Indoors in Basle.
Cilic stands in the final qualifying spot and now has a lead of 210 points over ninth-placed Tomas Berdych.