Andy Murray wasted no time in hopping on a jet on Sunday for his next event in Spain after boosting his chances of making the ATP World Tour Finals by winning the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
The Scot claimed the 30th title of his career as he defeated Spain’s David Ferrer 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, lifting the title on his Vienna debut and 44th career final.
The 27-year-old is now one of five active players boasting 30 trophies.
Photo: EPA
“I’m proud of winning 30; it’s nice. When you start your career, it’s not something you really think about,” Murray said. “I won my first one when I was 18 and I know how difficult it is to win them, I don’t take anything for granted.”
Murray, who flew into the Austrian capital on a private jet, was promising himself the smallest of celebrations as he keeps fighting for one of the three remaining spots in the year-end showpiece in London.
“Maybe there will be one glass of champagne,” he hinted after beating Ferrer for the eighth time in their series. “Every event is so important now with the race for London going strong.”
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Murray will be joined in Valencia by Ferrer at the Spaniard’s home event.
As during the Vienna event, just a few computer points separate the battling pair in the season race, with Murray now slightly ahead after Sunday’s victory. The Scot’s win came a week after he lost in three sets to Ferrer in Shanghai.
“It’s the same for both of us; we’ve had very close matches,” Murray said. “Whoever qualifies for London will deserve it.”
Murray was able to pull his game together as he broke top seed Ferrer when he served for victory leading 5-3 in the final set.
“It was a tough match with long rallies and long games; matches against him are never easy,” the Scotsman added. “He moves so well and makes so many returns.”
Ferrer was making his first Vienna appearance in a decade and remains upbeat over his form despite falling at the final hurdle.
“Andy played a great match and deserved to win the title,” the 32-year-old said. “He was more aggressive in the key situations. I’m disappointed to lose, but I already have another opportunity next [this] week. I had my chances, but it was so tough today. I’m going to keep fighting for London.”
The battling victory in 2 hours, 41 minutes put Murray in solid contention to book a London berth with Valencia and the Paris Masters to follow in the wrap-up to the regular ATP season.
The Scot now trails US Open finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan and Stockholm Open winner Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
Serbian Novak Djokovic, Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and Marin Cilic of Croatia have already qualified for the finals, which are to begin on Nov. 9.
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