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Murray beats Djokovic to win ATP Finals title, secure year-end world No. 1

Xinhua, November 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Andy Murray beat fourt-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets at London's O2 Arena on Sunday to win the ATP World Tour Finals title and also secure year-end No. 1 in the world rankings.

The 29-year-old became the 17th different player to finish the year atop the world in history since 1973 and the first British player to achieve the feat.

The Scot extended his winning streak to 24 matches dated back to Sept. 18 after a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Murray had spent nine hours and 56 minutes entering the final, including the two longest best-of-three set matches in tournament history, while Djokovic needed three hours less to reach the title match.

The Briton managed to break Djokovic at 3-3, held his own and broke again for a 5-3 lead in the first set. He then served for the set 6-4 after Djokovic had made it 5-4.

Murray became stronger and more accurate as Djokovic constantly made unforced errors. He soon took a 4-1 lead and fought off a surge from the five-time champion, who cut the deficit to 4-3.

But Murray refused to let the chance to slip, wrapping up the victory with a solid service and a tortuous 14-minute final game.

"I'm very happy to win and to be world number one is very special," Murray said. "It's very special playing against Novak in a match like this."

Djokovic said after the match, "Andy is definitely number one in the world. He deserved to win. He is the best player.

"In the decisive moments, I wasn't able to come back. I played better late in the match but it wasn't enough."

Murray takes home 2,391,000 US dollars in prize money while Djokovic wins 1,261,000 US dollars.

"It's a very special day, playing against Novak in a match like this," said Murray. "We've played in Grand Slam finals, Olympics and matches like this - it's been a tough rivalry. I've lost many of them, but I am happy to have got the win today to clinch the year-end No. 1. It's very special, it's something that I never expected." Endit