After three titles since the US Open, Andy Murray is now on the brink of the No. 1 ranking. Behind 415 ranking points of Novak Djokovic in the ATP Race (note that Paris AND ATP Finals point drop next Monday), Murray can finally ascend to No. 1 if he wins the Paris title over someone other than Djokovic.
“I get a step closer with every win but it’s still a long way from here,” Murray said Sunday after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win Vienna. “From two to one seems a small jump in a way but it’s the hardest one to make. To go from 100 to 50 is more spots but is a lot easier.”
If Djokovic reaching the Paris final, he’ll stay No. 1. The Serb, who’s won just one title since the French, has won the Paris Indoors event the last three years.
Should Murray fail in Paris, he’ll have a chance again at the ATP Finals in London next month. Although, if Murray loses early in Paris and Djokovic wins the title, the Serb could wrap up No. 1.
Djokovic has held No. 1 every week since July 7, 2014, a streak of 122 consecutive weeks. He is trying to finish No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the third straight year and fifth time in six years.
Murray has now spent 76 weeks at No. 2 since first reaching that ranking seven years ago, on 17 August 2009. The 29-year-old is trying to become the oldest first-time No. 1 since John Newcombe, at 30 years of age, on 3 June 1974.
Murray will open against Fernando Verdasco.
Current ATP Race (as of Oct 31)
1 Novak Djokovic 10600
2 Andy Murray 10185
3 Stan Wawrinka 5105
4 Milos Raonic 4690
5 Kei Nishikori 4615
6 Gael Monfils 3625
7 Rafael Nadal 3300
8 Dominic Thiem 3205
9 Marin Cilic 3090
10 Tomas Berdych 2880
11 David Goffin 2690
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