Djokovic ‘rejuvenated’ by Murray top-spot battle

Novak Djokovic admits that Andy Murray’s dramatic last-gasp assault on his world number one ranking has rejuvenated a season which was limping into mediocrity for the 12-time major winner.

Djokovic has suffered a worrying dip in form since winning his first French Open and completing the career Grand Slam in June.

He had a shock early loss at Wimbledon followed by a first-round exit at the Olympics and a runners-up spot at the US Open.

But as the 29-year-old prepares to defend the Paris Masters title he has won for the past three years, he insists Murray’s charge for the top has provided the fresh impetus he needs.

“It makes me want to go on court and fight for every point because there is something to win at the end,” Djokovic said, adding he felt “rejuvenated and regenerated”.

If Djokovic reaches next Sunday’s final in Paris he will retain the world number one ranking that he has held for 122 weeks straight, no matter what Murray does in the French capital.

But if he fails to make the championship match, then Murray will become the number one as long as the British star wins the title.

The 29-year-old Briton took a step closer to the top spot on Sunday by winning the Vienna ATP title.

“Andy is playing maybe the best tennis he’s ever played. He definitely deserves to be in the position to finish up the year as number one. Whether or not that’s going to happen, it doesn’t depend only on him. It depends on me as well,” said Djokovic.

“I just try to work on my game these days and I know if I’m on the level I desire, I can challenge anybody or beat anybody.”

‘New ambition’

Djokovic, who has admitted “private issues” contributed to his summer slump — he has not said what those were — believes Paris is the perfect place to revive his fortunes on his return to the French capital.

“Winning Roland Garros this year gave me a lot of joy but it required a lot of energy. I felt a little exhausted after and I was a little less motivated,” said the Serb, who hasn’t played since a semi-final defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut in the Shanghai Masters in mid-October.

“I took a little time to think about all these things, to find a new motivation and a new ambition. It’s in place. I feel good. I’m happy to come back here to Paris. I hope to have a good week.”

Djokovic has a bye in the first round at the Paris Masters before facing either Nicolas Almagro or Gilles Muller.

In Vienna, Murray swept past Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) to earn his seventh title of the year and ramp up the pressure on Djokovic.

The Olympic and Wimbledon champion took his recent run to 15 straight victories, in which he has picked up the China Open and Shanghai Masters titles as well.

He now has 42 career titles and a second in Vienna, after also winning in 2014.

“I think I played my best tennis of the tournament today,” said Murray.

Like Djokovic, Murray too has a first-round bye in Paris and will face either Fernando Verdasco or Robin Haase in his opening match.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Djokovic easily beats Murray to win Paris Masters title

 

PARIS — Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-2, 6-4 to win the Paris Masters for the third straight year and a record fourth time overall, dominating the second-seeded Briton from the outset in a one-sided final.

The top-ranked Serb was largely untroubled clinching his 10th title of the season — four ahead of Roger Federer and six more than Murray. It was the 58th title of his career and 26th in Masters events, two more than Federer and one behind leader Rafael Nadal.

“I am obviously very proud and very happy to win this title again,” the 28-year-old Djokovic said. “It’s a great tournament and all the best players in the world were here.”

Djokovic also extended his winning streak to 22 matches, and will be the favorite to win the season-ending ATP finals for the fourth straight time when that tournament starts in London on Nov. 15.

Despite dropping only one set on the way to the final, Murray simply could not compete as Djokovic won his sixth Masters title of the year — setting a new record.

“It’s been an incredible year for him, well done,” Murray said.

Serving for the match, Djokovic clenched his fist and yelled when Murray’s return landed out to give him match point. When Murray’s aggressive two-handed backhand went just wide, he turned and blew a kiss to his coach Boris Becker — who has won this event three times.

In their 30th career meeting, Djokovic improve to 21-9 against Murray, a two-time Grand Slam winner who beat the Serb in the 2013 Wimbledon final.

But since then, Djokovic has won 10 of their 11 encounters. His only loss during that spell was in August, when Murray beat him in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal.

The second point of the match lasted 22 strokes, but that was about as competitive as it got.

Djokovic broke Murray at love in the third game, and the Briton had to save three break points in the fifth. Djokovic then held at love and broke again before serving out the set in 42 minutes.

Murray dropped his serve again to trail 2-1 in the second set but broke right back, only for Djokovic to get another break in the seventh game when the Briton’s forehand sailed long.

source: sports.inquirer.net