Andy Murray finished the year as the world No1 after claiming the title for the first time with a 6-3, 6-4 win over the world No2</s>Andy Murray won the ATP World Tour Finals title and ensured he finishes the year as world number one with a 6-3 6-4 win over Novak Djokovic at the O2.

The Briton knew he had to beat the reigning champion to fend off his arch rival's challenge to remain top of the rankings, and he produced a scintillating display to triumph 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes.

It was a tour-leading ninth title of a remarkable season for Murray, who adds this prestigious crown to those won at Wimbledon and the Olympics.

Djokovic had seen his 122-week reign at the tennis summit come to an end just a fortnight ago at the Paris Masters, and both players came through this week to ensure the final would make history as the first to decide the year-end No.1.

Murray had lost 13 of his previous 15 meetings with Djokovic, including the French Open final six months ago. Since then Murray has been on a sensational run, but many felt his true claim to being top dog would only be tested by facing Djokovic.

This result provided the evidence, if it was needed, that he is currently the best in the world and perhaps suggests the balance of power has shifted his way.

Obviously it's a very special day, that I am playing against Novak in a match like this," Murray said.

"We have played Grand Slam finals, Olympics, matches like this... Its been a tough rivalry

"To finish the year as number one is something very special which I never expected."

Murray's performance belied the fact that he had set two new records for the longest matches in the tournament's history to set up what was arguably the most anticipated conclusion to a season finale ever.

There were concerns that fatigue may be a crucial factor heading into the much-hyped contest, with Murray having played almost three and a half hours more tennis than Djokovic en route to the final.</s>Hello. Even when Novak Djokovic was beginning uncertainly against Dominic Thiem last weekend, even when Andy Murray was match point down against Milos Raonic last night, you knew that it was going end like this. Could it be any other way? No tearing up the script, no changing the ending just to make it look less predictable, no final between Gael Monfils and Marin Cilic; the two best players in the world meet in the final match of 2016, competing for the not insignificant honour of finishing the year as the world No1.

Back when Djokovic embarrassed Murray in the Australian Open final in January, no one viewed them as equals. Djokovic looked untouchable and he continued to assert his dominance over his old rival by beating him in the French Open final at the start of June, writing his name into tennis’s hall of fame by completing the calendar slam in the process. But the narrative has changed since then. Perhaps the strain of that remarkable achievement had more of an impact on Djokovic than anyone could have imagined. All of a sudden, he was carrying aches and strains, his mood was dark, there was talk of problems away from the court and his tennis suffered. Sam Querrey – Sam Querrey! – shocked him at Wimbledon. He wept after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in Rio. Stan Wawrinka toppled him in New York. He lost to Cilic and Roberto Bautista Agut, for crying out loud. He sought solace in a spiritual guru.

While Djokovic showed few signs of flushing out the funk that had gripped his mind and body, Murray prospered during a golden summer that featured glory at Wimbledon and Olympic gold, before the Scot took his game to new heights, reaching staggering levels of consistency by rising to the top of the rankings for the first time in his career.

Once again, though, the mood has changed since Murray celebrated becoming No1 by winning the Paris Masters a fortnight ago. Take nothing away from Murray, but Djokovic is looking ominous again. The world No2 - it still feels strange to call him that - needed only 66 minutes to destroy Nishikori last night, while Murray earlier needed three hours and 38 minutes to see of Raonic in the day’s first semi-final. As brilliantly as Murray has played in the last six months, he faces one hell of a challenge to hold on to that No1 spot. Overcoming battle fatigue is one thing, but there must be better ways to spend a Sunday evening than trying to survive an assault from a resurgent Djokovic.

This is their 35th meeting and Djokovic leads 24-10 in their head-to-head record. So tough to beat on an indoor court, the Serb is bidding to win this title for the fifth consecutive year and he must be the favourite after his performance against Nishikori last night.

Would Murray have it any other way, though? After all, if there has been one thing missing from his recent run, it is a win over Djokovic.</s>Andy Murray will finish 2016 as the world No1 after beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP World Tour finals in London on Sunday. Murray defeats Djokovic in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to seal his first ATP finals title and cap off a brilliant season in which he also took the Wimbledon crown and Olympic gold in Rio</s>Andy Murray stood proudly on top of the tennis world after beating Novak Djokovic to win the ATP World Tour Finals and clinch the year-end world number one ranking.

It has undoubtedly been the finest season of Murray’s career but it would have had a bitter ending had he not walked away with the trophy at London’s O2 Arena.

Instead, he defied the tiredness he must have felt to stamp his authority on proceedings against the man who he overhauled two weeks ago and win 6-3 6-4.

It extended Murray’s winning run to 24 matches, earned him a fifth straight title and a cheque for nearly £2million.

This was the first time the number one ranking had been decided on the final match of the season and it was hard to disagree when Djokovic described the contest as one of the biggest they will ever play.

Their 34 previous meetings, of which Djokovic had won 24, had included seven grand slam finals but this was a uniquely tense occasion.

What would have been a 50/50 contest appeared to have swung decisively Djokovic’s way when Murray was detained for three hours and 38 minutes by Milos Raonic in Saturday’s semi-finals.

The Serbian, meanwhile, needed little more than an hour to swat aside Kei Nishikori, who was still feeling the effects of his own three-hour clash with Murray on Wednesday.

Sheer willpower cannot put a spring back in muscles clogged up with lactate or freshen up a mind frazzled by the demands of an 11-month season.

Murray’s previous victories against Djokovic had come when he successfully trod the fine line between aggression and patience.

But even in the first set of his clash with Raonic he was half a step slow and struggling to push up into his forehand.

Djokovic, meanwhile, jogged to the net after what amounted to no more than a light workout against Nishikori.

He may have arrived in London with the weight of the world on his shoulders but a venue that has brought him so much success had this time helped him restore form and confidence.

However, this was by far his biggest test of the week, and it did not take long for the problems of the last few months to come seeping back.

Djokovic’s groundstrokes lacked their usual authority and he was missing routine shots — not least a smash from on top of the net that he drove way long.

That came in a lengthy sixth game in which Murray held two break points.

Djokovic held on that time but Murray was given another chance two games later and took it, drilling a forehand into the corner.

The Scot was treading the line perfectly, going for his shots, particularly on the forehand, but not giving away free points.

He was leaving that to Djokovic, who netted another backhand on set point and then dropped serve again to start the second set.

Murray had never beaten the man he first played in junior tennis nearly 20 years ago from a set down, losing all 19 matches, so the early advantage was crucial.

There appeared no way back when a lacklustre Djokovic was broken again to trail 4-1 but an immediate re-break set home nerves jangling just a little.

Murray, though, quelled the butterflies and, amid a patriotic din, took his third match point when Djokovic drove a final forehand wide.</s>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 adrenaline 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 is not only statistically the best player in the world, but is rightfully so in every way. He may remain there 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, the Scot secured the world No1 spot at the end of a long and glorious year, and 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 No1. 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, compared to his opponent’s six hours and 33 minutes, the last 66 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.”

Whatever notions Djokovic had expressed beforehand about respecting Murray’s integrity and fitness, the Serb 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 at it in the sixth game, and was delighted when Djokovic 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 the 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. Against most predictions, he could set about building on his lead.

Djokovic, of course, had scored five of his 24 wins over Murray in their 34 matches after losing the first set, and he would have to do so again. 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 expectations were all being turned upside down. The supposedly 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.</s>ANDY Murray has retained his world No.1 ranking after a stunning two-set victory over Serbian Novak Djokovic.

The top two in tennis met on court in front of a packed-crowd at the O2 Arena in London to contest the ATP Finals title.

Murray won the toss and elected to serve first, but started slowly, with two double faults in the opening game.

Djokovic looked to have the upper hand early on, but could not break the Scot.

However Murray, who spent almost four hours on court on Saturday night in a marathon semi-final with Milos Raonic, began to move into the ascendancy mid-way into the first set.

Murray's persistence paid off and he eventually broke his opponent to win the first set 6-3.

Djokovic looked greatly out of character, lacking energy and ideas as Murray stonewalled every attack.

And the Scot took advantage of Djokovic' sluggish play, which included two glaring misses at the net.

Murray, high on momentum and adrenalin, broke the Serb twice early on in the second set, with Djokovic struggling to keep up.

And although the world number two broke back later in the set, the damage had already been done and there was too much of a Murray mountain for the Serb to climb.

The Scot won the second set after being taken to deuce in the final game, 6-4.

Andy Murray wins the ATP World Tour Finals for the very first time, defeating Djokovic who had won the last four consecutive championships.

The victory caps an incredible year for 29-year-old Murray, who won both Wimbledon and Olympic gold in the summer.</s>It is nearly 10 months since Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic squared up to contest the first big title of the season, in the considerably warmer surroundings of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Then, as in London on Sunday night – with icy midwinter not far away and the season done - Murray reached another final after a draining semi-final against Milos Raonic. This time he won. This time he was crowned King of Tennis. And now he intends to stay there for as long as he can.

A couple of hours after beating Djokovic as emphatically as he has managed in a while, 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 43 minutes to win his first ATP World Tour Finals and keep the world No1 ranking he wrenched from the Serb’s shaky grasp a fortnight ago in Paris, Murray was as humble and candid as ever.

“It was obviously a good performance,” he agreed. “You never beat a player as good as Novak if you don’t play well. I’m not suggesting I played a bad match. I just think the two of us have played better matches than that one.”

There have been victory speeches in other theatres recently that have not been in shouting distance of that sort of dignity. But others were keen to sing his praises.

As the former British No1 Greg Rusedski said: “What a moment for Andy Murray, probably our greatest every sportsman, at least in my life time. He must have been hurting from first ball to last.”

It was his eighth title of the year, his fifth in a row, his 24th match victory on the spin. That pretty much defines the overworked concept of momentum.

Now he prepares for his return to Melbourne the hunted rather than the hunter. It does not appear to bother him. He knows he needed to win before the exertions of spending nearly 10 hours on court in four matches the past week caught up with him – especially as Djokovic had taken only six hours and 33 minutes to reach a final in which he hoped he might win back his crown.

Some carped that Murray had reached the summit of his sport just as Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faded – which somewhat missed the point about staying the distance over 12 months. Murray was happy to seal the deal against the rival who had won 24 of their 34 matches and ruled the tennis jungle for 122 weeks in a row.

“It was obviously a big, big match against someone who I’ve played so many big matches against, my main rival really throughout my career. We played in all of the slam finals, Olympics, here now and a match to finish the year No1. We played in loads of Masters Series finals, as well, and are one week apart in age. It was just a huge match to finish the year.”

Djokovic was deflated but big enough to take defeat like a champion. And he surprised some with a mention for Murray’s wife, Kim.

“We should all let Andy enjoy this a little bit,” he said. “Don’t ask him questions about next season. He deserves to be in the moment and to take in what he achieved. His team as well – and his wife. She has to get some credit, guys. She gave birth this year. He has travelled all over the place. I know how it is with my wife, Jelena, what she had to go through as a mother back home with a little baby. So, Kim, well done. She’s maybe made even a bigger effort than Andy.”

Murray observed later: “When me and Novak speak with each other, we don’t talk about tennis, rankings, the matches we play against each other. Maybe when we finish playing, that might change. But we talk about each other’s families, children and stuff. We chatted at length this year quite a lot because obviously I became a father the first time. We spoke about the difficulty in keeping the sort of balance in your life with the family and the travelling and the work and everything.

“Both of us have been with our wives a long time, pretty much since we were like 18, 19 years old. We met each other’s wives together at that age, as well. We’ve known each other a very long time. Regardless of what some of you may think, we have a good relationship. It’s not always easy when you’re playing on court in the biggest matches with a lot at stake, but we’ve always got on well with each other, each other’s teams and families.”</s>Andy Murray of Britain holds the trophy after winning the ATP World Tour Finals singles final tennis match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the O2 Arena in London, on Nov. 20, 2016.

Without a doubt, Andy Murray will be the No. 1 player in the world for the rest of the year.

The Wimbledon champion needed to win the final match of the season to ensure his place at the top. And he did it, rather easily.

Murray beat Novak Djokovic 6—3, 6—4 Sunday to earn his first title at the ATP finals, and make sure he remained No. 1 until next season.

“I would like to try and stay there, obviously. It’s taken a huge effort the last five, six months to get there,” said Murray, who took over the top ranking two weeks ago and has now won 24 straight matches.

“I’m aware that’s going to be extremely difficult because I had a great year this year. I only managed to do it by one match.”

Murray replaced Djokovic as the top-ranked player in Paris, but the second-ranked Serb could have regained the No. 1 position by winning Sunday at the O2 Arena.

And Murray seemed vulnerable heading into the final, especially after playing three sets against Milos Raonic in Saturday’s semifinals. He started against Djokovic with a pair of double-faults in the opening game, but it was soon his opponent that was struggling with his serve as the unforced errors piled up.

“There was no serious chance for me to win today’s match,” Djokovic said. “From the very beginning we could see that. He was just a better player all in all.”

Normally so steady with his groundstrokes, Djokovic found himself missing easy shots time after time, finishing the match with a whopping 30 unforced errors and only 13 winners. Murray had 15 unforced errors and 13 winners.

In the first set, Djokovic had a routine smash that he whacked wide. And in the second, he netted a basic forehand volley.

It never got much better for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, who was trying to win a record-tying sixth title at the season-ending tournament and finish the year as the top-ranked player for the fifth time.

“I didn’t do much from my side. Every time I would get an opportunity, I would miss,” said Djokovic, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open this year.

Murray is the first man other than Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to finish the year as the No. 1-ranked player since Andy Roddick in 2003.

On Sunday, he capped a long stretch of playing some of the best tennis of his life, and the best tennis in the world.

“I was solid enough when I needed to be,” Murray said, perhaps understating his accomplishment. “You never beat a player as good as Novak if you don’t play well.”

Sunday’s match was the first time since 2000 that the year-end No. 1 ranking was on the line in the final match of the season. Sixteen years ago, Gustavo Kuerten beat Andre Agassi to give the Brazilian the top ranking ahead of Marat Safin.

Despite winning the opening two Grand Slam tournaments this year, Djokovic has struggled in the second half of the season. He lost to Sam Querrey in the third round at Wimbledon, ending a 30-match winning streak at major championships. He later lost to Stan Wawrinka in the U.S. Open final.

“Well, the last five, six months have not been ideal,” Djokovic said. “But sometimes it’s just normal, I guess, to experience, to live these kind of things, not to have the half seasons as well as you want them to be, as well as they’ve been in the last three, four years. That’s all.”</s>His season had already provided several unforgettable chapters, but Andy Murray saved the best to last as he eclipsed Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to claim his first ATP World Tour Finals title and rubberstamp the year-end top ranking on Sunday.

Against a man who has so often been his nemesis, Britain’s golden boy Murray produced a relentless display to claim a ninth title of a year which included a second Wimbledon crown and Olympic gold in Rio.

Murray’s play in the winner-takes-all season climax was all the more remarkable as a day earlier he looked on the point of mental and physical exhaustion after taking almost four hours to subdue Milos Raonic in the semi-final.

It would have been a blow to Murray’s solar plexus if, two weeks after dislodging Djokovic from the top ranking, the Serb had ripped it back with a fifth consecutive Tour Finals title.

But his powers of recovery appear limitless as he handed an error-prone Djokovic a bitter defeat that will leave a sour taste in the 12-times major champion’s mouth as a new season swings into action in a few weeks.

On this evidence, the Scot may enjoy his new status for some time.

Murray double-faulted twice in the first game and there was a wobble near the end as Djokovic mounted some late resistance, but with the majority of the 17,000 fans in the O2 Arena willing him on, Murray completed the job.

“It’s very special playing against Novak in a match like this, we’ve played grand slam finals and at the Olympics before, but I am very happy to win and to be world No. 1 is very special. It is something I never expected,” Murray said.

Murray’s win came two days after older brother Jamie was crowned No. 1 doubles pair with Brazil’s Bruno Soares and a year since Dunblane’s finest led Britain to the Davis Cup title.

Djokovic had won 22 of his past 23 matches at the Thames-side venue, but the cracks that have appeared in his game since completing a career slam by beating Murray in the French Open final returned after a trouble-free route to the final.

He made 30 unforced errors and some of his mistakes would have embellished a video nasty.

Despite his year tailing off, however, and losing a 9,000-point ranking lead over Murray, Djokovic still won seven titles and finally ruled at Roland Garros.

He was gracious in defeat.

“Definitely he is the number one in the world. He is the best player and deserved to win. He played the better tennis in the decisive moments. Credit to Andy for being mentally tough.”

The world’s two dominant forces colliding on a spectacular indoor court to contest the last match of the ATP season with the No. 1 ranking to be decided.

It had never happened before in the tournament’s history.

The fear was that the 10 hours Murray had spent on court this week, compared to Djokovic’s six and a half, would catch up with him and snap a career-best winning run of 23 matches.

Despite some early nerves Murray quickly put those fears to bed, dictating the rallies with unerring length and precision.

Djokovic looked inhibited and hesitant. It took him 10 minutes to hold serve at 2-3 – a game in which he blazed one smash wildly wide from virtually over the net.

Murray was at Djokovic’s throat again at 3-4 and Djokovic buckled, feebly dropping serve before Murray sealed the set with another rock-solid service game.

The final threatened to become a humiliation for Djokovic as Murray steamed into a 4-1 lead in the second set.

He gave himself a flicker of hope with a break and a hold though, and the crowd quietened a little as Djokovic began swinging dangerously, winning one hypnotic 33-stroke rally before Murray dug his heels in to lead 5-3.

Two match point came and went at 5-4 but Murray’s coronation as the world’s best player could begin when Djokovic floated a return wide on the third.

The doubles title was won by Australian John Peers and Finland’s Henri Kontinen who beat Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram.
In tennis, Andy Murray defeats Novak Djokovic 6–3, 6–4 in the final of the 2016 ATP World Tour finals and finishes the year as the world's number 1.