This year might just be the year that Andy Murray, current World Number 5, exercises his full potential for the first time since he turned pro in his career.
Britain’s foremost tennis player has made it absolutely clear that he is in full preparation to keep his winning streak alive. He will have ample chance to prove himself at the ATP World Tour Finals, being held this week from 21 to 28 November.
Andy Murray plans to keep up his more than satisfactory performance this year by avoiding the same potholes which resulted in failure for him at the 2009 World Tour Finals, which ruined his chances at victory. The pro tennis player was forced to give up
a place in the semi-finals of the important end of year event in London a year ago, because the tournament rules excluded him from qualifying.
Murray could not participate in the semi-finals, held in the O2 Arena, despite the fact that he won two of the group matches which he played. However, he won one game less than 2009 US Open Juan Martin Del Potro, who went ahead in the tournament at Murray’s
expense. However, Murray plans to eliminate all chances of a repeat incident by seizing victory at all three of the Group B matches which he will play.
He seems to have taken a positive step towards this goal with a straight sets win over World Number 4 Robin Soderling, defeating his opponent on Sunday with a score line of 6-2, 6-4. He was elated by the victory, saying
“It's a big win, to beat someone that's ranked higher than me. The guy's number four in the world. He's a very, very good player.”
The Scot, who is slated to play against either David Ferrer or Roger Federer in his next Group B match, also talked about last year’s fluke. He seems positive that the incident will not repeat itself, saying,
“Last year I was unlucky, it came down to one game or something. I don't know exactly. I'd be surprised if that happens again or if it's ever that close again.”
Murray produced possibly his best result of the year on Sunday after crushing Soderling within an hour and 20 minutes. The British top seed also had the advantage of the home crowd, with the tournament being held in London. He thrived on the atmosphere of
the partisan crowd, which by and large supported their favourite.
The 23-year-old has had a season filled with ups-and-downs. In January, he lost the Australian Open final to World Number 2 Roger Federer, and in addition to this he recently gave up his place in the world’s top four players to Robin Soderling.
Murray also understands that winning a tournament which holds only the best of the tennis world would be a perfect retort to those who doubt his ability to win a Grand Slam title.
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