Scot will take over from Novak Djokovic with semi-final victory
Saturday 5 November 2016 14:28, UK
Andy Murray moved to within one win of becoming Britain's first world No 1 with a 7-6 7-5 win over Tomas Berdych in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
After Novak Djokovic was stunned in straight sets by Marin Cilic in the second quarter-final of the day, Murray went into his match knowing two more wins would see him overtake the Serb as the world's top ranked player.
And he produced a brilliant performance to record an 18th successive win that sets up a semi-final against Milos Raonic who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets - and victory in that last-four encounter will take him to No 1.
It is a goal that Murray has targeted but by his own admission was a more realistic aim for the start of 2017, but his own golden spell has coincided with a drop off from Djokovic, who had some heartfelt words for Murray.
"He's definitely a player who deserves that. To see how he has raised his level in the last 12 months is quite extraordinary," Djokovic said after his quarter-final defeat.
"We have known each other since very, very early days. We were, I think, 11 years old when we first played against each other. Undoubtedly, much respect for what he has done."
Murray had to be on top form as Berdych's fearsome forehand was firing on all cylinders, but Murray is in the form of his life having won his last three tournaments and he produced some masterful tennis to record his 72nd win of the year, a career best to go with his Wimbledon and Olympic titles.
The 29-year-old headed into the match with a dominant record against Berdych, winning the last five meetings including a run of 12 successive sets and there was little between the pair in the opening exchanges as the Czech produced his very best to stay with Murray.
But the current world No 2 saved his best for the crucial middle section of the match when he rallied from trailing 6-1 in the tie-break. With Berdych tightening and the Scot finding his range, Murray saved all five set points before eventually edging a tie-breaker that exceeded 15 minutes 11-9.
There was no let up from Murray, who forced the first break points of the match in the opening game of the second set. When he consolidated to lead 2-0, that looked like being enough with both men unchallenged on their own serve until the British No 1 served for the match at 5-4.
Berdych brought up three break points, his first of the match, and eventually took the chance at the third time of asking before handing the break straight break in the very next game.
Murray was not to let another opportunity pass him by and, despite Berdych saving three match points, produced back-to-back aces to seal his semi-final place and stand on the brink of his landmark moment.
Murray admitted afterwards that in the build-up there was some added nerves and pressure with Djokovic's defeat.
"Maybe a little bit before the match there was a few more nerves but once I got out there I didn't let it affect me. It was a great atmosphere and packed crowds.
"I don't know how I am going to feel as it will be a new experience for me [becoming No 1].
"My goal wasn't to get to No 1 this year, I was looking at the beginning of next year as the chance to do it. If it happens this week then great."
Defeat for Berdych means his hopes of reaching the World Tour Finals in London are over while Austria's Dominic Thiem completes the line-up after Tsonga was beaten by Raonic - the Frenchman needed to win the Paris title to make the O2 Arena.
You can follow Andy Murray's race to become the world No 1 on Sky Sports with coverage of the Paris Masters semi-finals underway on Saturday from 1pm on Sky Sports 3.
