The race to the O2

ATP Tour Finals

The ATP Tour finals are mens' tennis 5th biggest tournament, after the 4 grand slams (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US).

The tournament has run since 1970, but has changed format in the years since.

The current format, features the top 8 ranked players in the world (in the Race to London rankings), well kind of. There is an exemption for a grand slam winner outside of the top 8, so technically the qualifiers are the Grand slam winners, and then the next top ranked players, until the top 8 spots are filled.

In the current era of dominance, of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, there hasn't been any need for the technicality. However, Marin Cilic's win at the US Open, opened up the possibility that the technicality maybe needed.

As it happens Cilic is currently ranked 6th in the Race to London rankings, so it shouldn't be an issue.

However, Andy Murray's tough year has meant after the US open he faced a tough road to qualify for the season finale in London.

Rankings

The top 4 are the same in both rankings, but Murray's win in Valencia has propelled him into 5th in the Race to London, but he is 8th in the ATP rankings, which are based on more tournaments.

Murray is determined to be present in London, and will be helped by Nadal's absence, as he now only has to make the top 9.

His determination to reach London, can be seen, by adding Vienna to his schedule after his exit in Shanghai to David Ferrer. He avenged that defeat by Ferrer, by beating Ferrer in the Vienna final, securing 250 points.

Valencia Open

Murray hasn't had it easy in his attempts to qualify for the ATP Tour Finals. In Valencia, he had to beat Fabio Fognini (19th), Kevin Anderson (17th), David Ferrer (5th) and finally Tommy Robredo (21st).

The final against Robredo, was especially tough. Murray has had a difficult year, after overcoming his back injury. His schedule has been packed, playing 5 tournaments in as many weeks, in contrast to Federer and Djokovic, who have played only 2.

The Final

The final was a repeat of the Shenzen Open Final, that Murray won 5-7, 7-6, 6-1, after Robredo had held 5 match points.

From the first point of the match, it promised to be a gruelling encounter, a 23 shot rally, ended with Murray netting. Robredo took the first set 6-3, as Murray looked increasingly fatigued.

Murray found some form in the 2nd set breaking Robredo, to take a 4-2 lead, but Robredo fought back, broke back and was 1 game away from winning. However, Murray often plays his best when on the edge of defeat, and he served out to love. A tie-break ensued and Robredo had two match points, the first of which Robredo pushed a forehand long, and the 2nd was saved by a Murray ace.

Murray took his chance and won the second set.

The third set, was like the last round of a heavyweight boxing match, both players almost out on their feet. The 3rd set went to a tie-break, almost inevitably so, as there was little between the two players.

Murray fought off another 3 match points, to finally prevail over Robredo and the partisan crowd.

Watch the highlights below (skip to the end to see Robredo's frustration at losing a 2nd ATP final to Murray, with 5 match points in each final).

Barring unlikely outcomes, Murray is guaranteed to be at the O2 Arena in November, a well deserved reward, for some hard work in the late season. Indeed, if this season was a course Murray would scrape a pass, as a result of some last minute desperate cramming.

For Murray to not make, London, Murray would have to get knocked out early on at the Paris Masters, then Raonic and Dimitrov would both have to make the final, with Dimitrov winning. (note Murray can finish 9th in the race to London rankings and still qualify as Nadal has pulled out of the finals).