All he had to do was win 2 matches at the Paris Masters and he’ll have qualified or the World Tour Finals. Well that’s precisely what Andy Murray achieved on Thursday as he beat fellow contender Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets, to reach the QFs. Murray had played the last 6 weeks in a row, in a late-push to qualify for the prestigious Finals in London. Meanwhile Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori also won their round matches, over Feliciano Lopez and Jo Tsonga respectively. Both of them are now just one match away from joining Murray in qualifying for the WTF, as the Race to London nears it’s end.
ATP Masters 1000, Paris: Day 4 Thur, 3rd rd
Murray bt Dimitrov: 6-3, 6-3. Berdych bt F Lopez: 7-5, 6-3. Nishikori bt Tsonga: 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
After losing in the QFs of the US Open to Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray fell outside of the World’s top 10. He was therefore in serious danger of not qualifying for the World Tour Finals. Fast forward nearly 2 moths later and he’s done the unthinkable and gone onto qualify for the 7th straight year.
Murray after New York pumped up his end-of-season schedule and added Shenzhen, Vienna and Valencia to his schedule. Clearly the plan worked, as Murray won all 3 tournaments and then only needed to reach the last 8 of the Paris Masters and he’d reached his goal.
His unlucky opponent who he beat in the QFs, was none other than fellow WTF rival: Grigor Dimitrov, who needed to go deep in order to stand any chances of securing a spot.
The last time the two played, Dimitrov won in the QFs of Wimbledon. But Murray would have no chance of history repeating itself, as he swept aside the Bulgarian in straight sets.
The British No.1 was utterly imperious throughout the match, never surrendering is serve. Dimtrov on the other hand was struggling on his, and a timely double-fault handed Andy the opening set, 6-3.
Murray wouldn’t let up in the 2nd set and it was more of the same from 2 time Major winner. Eventually Dimitrov conceded defeat and dumped a wayward shot into the net, to hand Murray the win and 5th spot for London.
Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori also put 1 foot into the qualifying door, as they bot reached the QFs in Paris.
Berdych who’s looking to play at the year-ending showpiece for the 5th year running, was simply too solid, clean and strong for veteran Spaniard: Feliciano Lopez.
To be honest with you Berdych never looked like losing the match, with Lopez unable to mount a serious charge.
The Czech claimed the opener by 7-5, before putting away his opponent more easily in the 2nd, 6-3.
Japanese Superstar Kei Nishikori continued to have the season of his life, as he required 3 sets to see of the challenge of: Jo W Tsonga.
Nishikori blitzed the mighty Frenchman for the loss of 1 game in the first set, before Tsonga answered back with a tight 6-4 2nd set. Kei though held on in the final set, to record a 6-4 win and go on to face David Ferrer in the quarters.
3rd rd results:
Federer bt L Pouille (FRA): 6-4, 6-4
Raonic bt Bautista-Agut: 7-5, 7-6 (9-7)
Anderson bt Wawrinka: 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
Ferrer bt Verdasco: 6-1, 6-2
Djokovic bt Monfils: 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
WTA Tournament of Champions: Day 3 Thu, RR results
Cornet bt Makarova: 6-1, 6-4
Muguruza bt Pennetta: 0-6, 6-1, 6-1
Petkovic bt Cibulkova: 7-5, 6-3
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 