Murray fights back to subdue Nishikori

AFP, LONDON: Andy Murray moved a step closer to the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals as the world number one wore down Kei Nishikori in a gruelling 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 6-4 victory that took over three hours on Wednesday.
Murray was pushed to his limits by Nishikori in the longest Tour Finals match played in the event’s seven years at London’s O2 Arena.
The 29-year-old finally subdued the Japanese star in three hours and 20 minutes, but he was made to wait for confirmation of a last-four berth after Stan Wawrinka beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) in the evening match.
Given the complex nature of the Tour Finals rule book, Murray now takes on US Open champion Wawrinka on Friday with his fate still to be decided, while Nishikori also has a chance of reaching the semi-finals when he faces Cilic.
If Cilic beats Nishikori on Friday, then both Murray and Wawrinka can go through.
“I just fought really hard. Kei was making me run but I eventually got over the line,” Murray said.
“These are the sort of matches you work so hard for. I feel OK right now, but it’s the following day when you feel it often. 
“Hopefully there will be another three days to this season and I’ll do my best to get through them.”
Murray’s gritty recovery took his winning streak to 21 matches, just one short of his career best run of 22 successive victories earlier this year.
It is the first time Murray has started the Tour Finals with two consecutive group stage wins since his tournament debut in Shanghai in 2008.
Murray’s refusal to be outlasted by the obdurate Nishikori keeps him on course to retain top spot in the ATP rankings at the end of the year.
Novak Djokovic’s win over Milos Raonic on Tuesday had given the Serb a 70-point lead over Murray in the unofficial ‘as-it-stands’ rankings but, with each victory at the Tour Finals worth 200 points, the Scot moved back above his old rival by beating Nishikori.
To guarantee finishing 2016 in pole position, Murray must win the Tour Finals for the first time, with anything less giving Djokovic the chance to overhaul him.
Nishikori is still in with a chance of making the semi-finals despite the loss and he said: “It was close. Andy’s a tough player.

Murray fights back to subdue Nishikori

AFP, LONDON: Andy Murray moved a step closer to the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals as the world number one wore down Kei Nishikori in a gruelling 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 6-4 victory that took over three hours on Wednesday. Murray was pushed to his limits by Nishikori in the longest Tour Finals match played in the events seven years at Londons O2 Arena. The 29-year-old finally subdued the Japanese star in three hours and 20 minutes, but he was made to wait for confirmation of a last-four berth after Stan Wawrinka beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) in the evening match. Given the complex nature of the Tour Finals rule book, Murray now takes on US Open champion Wawrinka on Friday with his fate still to be decided, while Nishikori also has a chance of reaching the semi-finals when he faces Cilic. If Cilic beats Nishikori on Friday, then both Murray and Wawrinka can go through. I just fought really hard. Kei was making me run but I eventually got over the line, Murray said. These are the sort of matches you work so hard for. I feel OK right now, but its the following day when you feel it often. Hopefully there will be another three days to this season and Ill do my best to get through them. Murrays gritty recovery took his winning streak to 21 matches, just one short of his career best run of 22 successive victories earlier this year. It is the first time Murray has started the Tour Finals with two consecutive group stage wins since his tournament debut in Shanghai in 2008. Murrays refusal to be outlasted by the obdurate Nishikori keeps him on course to retain top spot in the ATP rankings at the end of the year. Novak Djokovics win over Milos Raonic on Tuesday had given the Serb a 70-point lead over Murray in the unofficial as-it-stands rankings but, with each victory at the Tour Finals worth 200 points, the Scot moved back above his old rival by beating Nishikori. To guarantee finishing 2016 in pole position, Murray must win the Tour Finals for the first time, with anything less giving Djokovic the chance to overhaul him. Nishikori is still in with a chance of making the semi-finals despite the loss and he said: It was close. Andys a tough player.