By Daily Sports on November 7, 2016
Britain’s Andy Murray celebrated his rise to world number one by beating American John Isner 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 to win the Paris Masters.
The victory was Murray’s sixth ATP title of a memorable 2016.
The Scot, 29, also added his second Olympic and Wimbledon titles on his way to the top of the rankings.
He will be officially confirmed as Britain’s first singles number one since computerised rankings were introduced in 1973 on Monday.
Murray’s ascent was confirmed by Milos Raonic’s withdrawal from Saturday’s semi-final with a leg injury, but the hype around his accomplishment did nothing to knock Murray’s concentration.
He now heads to the season-ending World Tour Finals as top seed for the first time – but if previous number one Novak Djokovic wins every match at the Finals he will reclaim the top ranking he held for 122 weeks.
After double-faulting on the first point of the game, Murray soon clicked into gear, breaking for a 4-2 lead, and showing watertight defence to close the door on Isner when the American created two break points of his own in the next game.
Murray managed only six points on his opponent’s serve in the set, but that was enough to take it in 35 minutes.
The unseeded Isner continued to put pressure on Murray in the second, showing an increasing deftness at the net to take the second set to a tie-break.
And the 6ft 8in 31-year-old had too much for the Scot in the decider, serving imperiously to take the breaker 7-4.
Twice in Isner’s first two service games of the third set Murray saw break points snatched away by his opponent’s huge serve.
But Murray was not be denied, and he finally forced a break at 5-4, firing in a rapid backhand that Isner could only dig into the net, to take the third set and the match, reports the BBC. (bbc.co.uk)
•Photo shows Andy Murray
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 7, 2016
You may also like...
Rodgers hails fit Iheanacho
National League to commence May 7th
REVEALED! Super Eagles Technical Adviser’s Job: NFF Yet...
Lookman more technical than Osimhen – Peseiro
Morocco favourites to stage CHAN 2018
Sports Ministry signs MOU For National Principals, Headmasters...

Chelsea may benefit from missing Europe next season, says Rooney
3SC end 27-year wait for continental ticket
Lagos woos Otedola to champion cycle fest
African Open: Onyinyechi smashes world record as Nigeria wins 49 medals
Okpekpe Int’l 10km Race gets broadcast deal
Plymouth striker Oseni shocked by Nigeria call-up
African athletes possess NFL traits in abundance — Umenyiora
AFCON 2027: Udeze warns Chelle not to underestimate opponents
Joshua, Fury in contract stalemate
Agunbiade emerges Nigeria’s lone survivor at WTT Lagos
Nigeria call-up boosted my confidence – Alebiosu
First Eagles invite thrills Rangers’ Oputa
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,799 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,122 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,074 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,640 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,554 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,457 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,289 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,855 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,040 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,535 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,965 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,409 views)