Andy Murray beats Djokovic to end year as world number one

Time ran out for one brave finalist here on Sunday night but, against all well-reasoned forecasts, it was not Andy Murray. In what was probably his most extraordinary win over Novak Djokovic since he won the first of his three Grand Slam titles in New York four years ago, the prince of perversity, riding a wave of adrenalin after one of the toughest weeks of his career, beat the man whose crown he had snatched away so impudently in Paris a fortnight ago.

In so doing Murray confirmed he was not only statistically the best player in the world, but rightfully so in every way. He may remain so well into the summer of 2017.

In beating Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 42 minutes to win his first ATP World Tour Finals title, he secured the world number one spot at the end of a long and glorious year. He also confounded pessimists who predicted the rigours of the past week – not to mention the previous three months – would drain him of the will to win.

“Obviously it’s a very special day,” Murray said. “I am happy to get the win today and finish the year as number one. I never expected it.”

There was some justification for the prognosis, given Murray had reached his fifth final in a row after spending nearly 10 hours on court in four matches over the past six days. This compared to his opponent’s six hours and 33 minutes, the last 66 minutes of those arriving against a washed-out Kei Nishikori on Saturday night in the shortest match of the week.

That followed Murray’s three hours and 38 minutes against Milos Raonic – the longest match of the tournament.

But, as Macbeth said (apparently): “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”

Integrity

Whatever notions Djokovic had expressed beforehand about respecting Murray’s integrity and fitness, he looked increasingly woebegone as he failed to break the resolve of an opponent over whom he held a 24-10 career advantage.

Murray, who had sweated up beforehand like a fighter getting ready for a world title shot, no doubt had a shaking hand on his racket, double-faulting twice in the first five minutes, although he also banged down his fastest serve of the tournament, a 132mph ace.

With the thought buried in his psyche that time was not on his side, it was clear he was going to throw a few haymakers. Djokovic, 19-0 against Murray when taking the first set, imposed his will early and looked comfortable holding to love for the second time. He was sharper and more hurtful with ball in hand in the early exchanges and Murray could not take a point off his serve in the first 20 minutes.

However, he got two good looks on the Serb’s serve in the sixth game and was delighted when he butchered the easiest smash of the week for a third deuce point. But Murray hit long twice and the moment passed.

Now, though, it was Djokovic who struggled more. Murray, peppering his backhand, cracked his defence with a teasing slice that Djokovic could not get over the high side of the net, and the break was his.

When he forced another anaemic, off-balance reply from Djokovic after 46 minutes, he had eradicated the 19-0 factor, against most predictions, and could set about building on his lead.

Famous victory

The flip-side of that statistic, of course, was that Djokovic had scored five of his 24 wins over Murray in their 34 matches coming from behind. He would not go away without a fight – he never does – but giving up four break points at the start of the second set was no way to launch a fightback.

When Murray forced a limp backhand from him, the arena rose in anticipation of a famous victory.

The strategy, the predictions and the expectations were all being turned upside down. The fresher Djokovic was heaving between points; the supposedly exhausted Murray was rejuvenated. By the time Djokovic belted a weary backhand long to hand Murray a second break for 4-1 after a mere hour and a quarter, Djokovic seemed to have lost his way.

However, one of the game’s enduring gladiators broke back in the sixth game then held to love to inject a measure of tension into the contest. A 33-shot rally lit up the eighth game, but Murray stayed solid and Djokovic had to hold to stay in the match. He did so, to 15, and handed the sword of fate back to Murray.

Murray stepped up to grab a little bit of history and could be excused for trembling as he had done at the start – as he had done when stepping up to serve out against Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2013.

Djokovic saved two championship points but his own hand shook, surely, as he thrust his closing forehand long. The crowd were on the very edge of civility, but understandably so.