ANDY MURRAY emphatically claimed the penultimate Masters event of the year in Shanghai on Sunday.
It was yet another glorious week for the British number one as he continued his aggressive pursuit to be officially recognised as the best player in the world.
It was an action-packed seven days in China’s second biggest city and Express Sport considers five aspects of the post-tournament climate.
1) Marvellous Murray On Form
Two trophies in two weeks for the Wimbledon champion have considerably enhanced his dream of overhauling Novak Djokovic and becoming global number one.
Ten wins in straight sets have seen the ruthless and determined Brit pull level with legendary Swede, Stefan Edberg, on 41 title successes. Murray’s gunning first serve and ever-improving second delivery have been ably supported by his aggressive baseline play and positive mindset.
For the first time in his career Murray has top spot in his sights and he seems eager to end a productive spell with a final flurry.
2) Novak Djokovic Out of Sorts
In the last few years, the tennis world has become accustomed to Djokovic mopping up the Asian-swing and reinforcing his supremacy. It was not the case this time, though, as the irritable and volatile Serb squabbled with the umpire, raged at his support team and suffered a semi-final defeat to Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.
As has been the case since his shock Wimbledon loss to Sam Querrey, Djokovic appears distracted and his usually rock-solid baseline game has been hindered by questionable shot-selection and a catalogue of rare errors.
His renowned intensity has dipped and he is now locked in a battle with Murray to retain his number one ranking. Whether a return to the indoor European hard courts will revitalise and re-energise the twelve-time major winner is unclear, but a big response from an outstanding champion has to be expected.
3) Alexander Zverev - A Teen in a Hurry
The nineteen year-old German reached the top twenty in the rankings for the first time today. It is a significant achievement for the rapidly-improving Zverev who is widely tipped to be a leading light and poster boy of his generation.
Convincing wins over John Isner and Marin Cilic in Shanghai further highlighted the firepower and skillset of the teen sensation. He recently defeated US Open champion, Stan Wawrinka, to claim his maiden title in St. Petersburg and he is expected to emerge as a serious contender within the next eighteen months.
4) Nick Kyrgios in Bother Again
In the week preceding Shanghai, the 21 year-old Australian wowed the Tokyo crowds with his sublime shotmaking, natural flair and outrageous talent as he bagged the biggest title of his youthful but controversial career.
Just a few days later, Kyrgios made international headlines for all the wrong reasons. His on-court behaviour in a second round loss to Misha Zverev in China earned him widespread criticism due to his unwillingness to give maximum effort.
He has since been fined by the governing body and banned for eight weeks and is fast becoming more renowned for questionable antics than for his undoubted quality.
5) Opportunity Knocks
There are still three places up for grabs in the race to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month. Gael Monfils, Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem are favourites to clinch the final spots but they are all stuttering over the finishing line.
Tomas Berdych and Cilic had the opportunity to enhance their floundering London credentials in Shanghai but both players suffered early exits and failed to close the gap.
It now looks increasingly likely that the final eight at the ATP’s showpiece event will be Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem.
It was an action-packed seven days in China’s second biggest city and Express Sport considers five aspects of the post-tournament climate.
1) Marvellous Murray On Form
Two trophies in two weeks for the Wimbledon champion have considerably enhanced his dream of overhauling Novak Djokovic and becoming global number one.
Ten wins in straight sets have seen the ruthless and determined Brit pull level with legendary Swede, Stefan Edberg, on 41 title successes. Murray’s gunning first serve and ever-improving second delivery have been ably supported by his aggressive baseline play and positive mindset.
For the first time in his career Murray has top spot in his sights and he seems eager to end a productive spell with a final flurry.
2) Novak Djokovic Out of Sorts
In the last few years, the tennis world has become accustomed to Djokovic mopping up the Asian-swing and reinforcing his supremacy. It was not the case this time, though, as the irritable and volatile Serb squabbled with the umpire, raged at his support team and suffered a semi-final defeat to Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.
As has been the case since his shock Wimbledon loss to Sam Querrey, Djokovic appears distracted and his usually rock-solid baseline game has been hindered by questionable shot-selection and a catalogue of rare errors.
His renowned intensity has dipped and he is now locked in a battle with Murray to retain his number one ranking. Whether a return to the indoor European hard courts will revitalise and re-energise the twelve-time major winner is unclear, but a big response from an outstanding champion has to be expected.
3) Alexander Zverev - A Teen in a Hurry
The nineteen year-old German reached the top twenty in the rankings for the first time today. It is a significant achievement for the rapidly-improving Zverev who is widely tipped to be a leading light and poster boy of his generation.
Convincing wins over John Isner and Marin Cilic in Shanghai further highlighted the firepower and skillset of the teen sensation. He recently defeated US Open champion, Stan Wawrinka, to claim his maiden title in St. Petersburg and he is expected to emerge as a serious contender within the next eighteen months.
4) Nick Kyrgios in Bother Again
In the week preceding Shanghai, the 21 year-old Australian wowed the Tokyo crowds with his sublime shotmaking, natural flair and outrageous talent as he bagged the biggest title of his youthful but controversial career.
Just a few days later, Kyrgios made international headlines for all the wrong reasons. His on-court behaviour in a second round loss to Misha Zverev in China earned him widespread criticism due to his unwillingness to give maximum effort.
He has since been fined by the governing body and banned for eight weeks and is fast becoming more renowned for questionable antics than for his undoubted quality.
5) Opportunity Knocks
There are still three places up for grabs in the race to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month. Gael Monfils, Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem are favourites to clinch the final spots but they are all stuttering over the finishing line.
Tomas Berdych and Cilic had the opportunity to enhance their floundering London credentials in Shanghai but both players suffered early exits and failed to close the gap.
It now looks increasingly likely that the final eight at the ATP’s showpiece event will be Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem.
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