To London and a massive showdown in tennis between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the ATP World Tour Finals. The planet's top two players would meet for the title, with the winner also finishing the year as the World Number One. For the Scot, it would be the first time he would end a campaign as the top-ranked player -- Djoker, well he had finished number one in four of the last five years.
Britain's Andy Murray holds up the ATP World No 1 trophy following his win over Novak Djokovic of Croatia in the men's singles final at the ATP World Tour finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, Nov 20, 2016. [Photo/IC]
Some big sports names in attendance. Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger with his girlfriend, former women's world number one Ana Ivanovic.
Muzza, as the British Press are calling Murray in the near court, needs to get off to a good start as he has never beaten Djokovic when dropping the opening set. After exchanging a series of backhands, the two-time Olympic champion fires an angled forehand that Djoker cannot return, and Murray breaks for a 5-3 lead en route to a first frame win.
And Murray would be able to break Nolé twice in the early part of the second, thanks to backhand winners like this.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner would not go quietly, and earns one break back, and saves one match point, and another thanks to this wicked forehand.
But Djoker cannot save a third as he fires this return wide -- handing Murray a 6-3, 6-4 victory, and the World Number One ranking. The Scot seems stunned, before going to the net to re-enact the final scene of Lost in Translation.
Murray then goes to the middle of the court before thanking the fans, and claiming his trophy for winning in London.
And he also receives the year-end World Number One ranking trophy -- yes, that is a thing.
"It has been a fantastic year. Obviously there is a lot to look back to. Great highlights, especially in the first six months of the year. Today we both, Andy and I, were part of the history and it was an honour to be on the court and to be a part of the big occasion. Andy is definitely number one in the world. He is the best player. He deserved to win. He just played better tennis," Djokovic said.
"I mean obviously it's a very special day, playing against Novak in a match like this. We have played Grand Slam finals, Olympics and then matches like this. It's been a tough rivalry. I've lost many of them. Obviously I'm happy that I managed to get the win today and to finish the year number one is very special. It's something I never , never expected," Murray said.
