Features

Tennis season builds to a climax

Author: John Harris
Date: 11/11/2009
Tennis betting

Andy Murray's quest for a first ATP World Tour Finals title is almost at an end as this week's BNP Paribas Masters in Paris rounds off the regular season schedule, leaving the eight qualified players with a week's recuperation before the finale in London.

Murray is one of six players to already have sealed a place in the finals, which involves the eight highest ranked players on the ATP Tour.

Can Murray win his first World Tour Finals title? - Latest Tennis Betting

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have all qualified ahead of the Scot, while Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick, fifth and sixth respectively, were also certain of a spot before this week's tournament began.

Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco currently occupy the final two spots but poor performances in Paris could allow Robin Soderling, Fernando Verdasco or Jo-Wilfred Tsonga the chance to play at the O2 arena.

Radek Stepanek and Marin Cilic also have an outside chance should they win the final Masters event.

History suggests that Murray need not be concerned that his rank will put him in arguably the tougher of the two groups that make up the first round of the finals as the tournament has often gone against rank.

Only sportsbook favourite Federer's dominance is unsurprising - the Swiss has won four of the last six finals - alongside shocks like last year when third ranked Djokovic beat outsider Dajydenko to win the 4.5million US dollar prize.

More important is a healthy body and good form, both of which Murray could finally to have on his side.

The Valencia Open victory last week came on the back of a six-week break from competitive tennis to give his injured right wrist time to fully heal.

His return was impressive as the 22-year-old dropped just two sets before destroying Mikhail Youzhny in a 69-minute 6-3, 6-2 final.

Yet Murray admitted after the event that he felt short of fitness, comparing his post-match aches to that of a 50-year-old man. "I was just limping around, it's not good. But hopefully I will be okay this week."

He could actually benefit from a swift exit in Paris, where the opposition is much tougher than in Spain.

After receiving a bye in the first round he will be aiming for at least two or three matches to get his eye in before the finals - the first of at least three that Murray will hope to enjoy in front of a supportive London crowd.

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