Andy Murray will take on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Group A at Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – Tennis News
Olympic gold medallist, Andy Murray from Great Britain, will face off the seventh seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in their last round robin match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Friday. The home favourite Murray suffered a brutal three set defeat against
top seeded Novak Djokovic while the French star also endured a three setter defeat at the hands of the Czech number one, Tomas Berdych, at this season-ending tournament held in London, England.
Seeded third in this tournament, Murray is enjoying his breakthrough season this year. He ended 76 years British Grand Slam drought after lifting the US Open (outclassed Novak Djokovic in a five-set nail-biter) and grabbed the gold medal at the London Olympics.
In his last battle against the world number one, Murray made quick in-roads. He drew the first blood in the opening game and eventually pulled out the opener with a 6-4 score line. However, the Brit stepped off steam afterwards and despite seeking a break
opportunity in the end of the deciding set, he suffered a 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 loss in two hours and 34 minutes.
"The last two minutes of the match probably is what decided it," said the ecstatic Scot after bowing out to Djokovic. "He broke from 15/40, and then I had 15/40 next game and didn't break … I had a chance in the third set. You would hope that one game wouldn't
decide the outcome of a whole match."
Ranked eighth in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Tsonga is bidding for his third year-to-date title at this event. He conquered the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and the Moselle Open in Metz. The French recently secured a final berth at the If
Stockholm Open (lost to second seed Tomas Berdych).
Despite an amazing run of form, Tsonga is looking forward for his maiden victory at The O2 Arena. He was edged out by top seeded Djokovic in his opening round robin match. The French managed to equaliser the set scores against Berdych but lost the track,
eventually endured a 5-7, 6-3, 1-6 loss in one hour and 52 minutes.
Both tennis stars will battle each other for ninth time with Murray leading the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series by 6-2 against the French number one. Murray has conquered the 27-year-old in their last five meetings with
their most recent coming at the Wimbledon Championships.
Looking at their recent performances and form, Murray is expected to clobber a 7-5, 6-4 victory against the French veteran. The Scot needs to lose fewer games in order to occupy the semi-final spot at this indoor hard court tournament.
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