Gruelling victory keeps Andy Murray on course to topple Novak Djokovic as world No1
Britain's Andy Murray remained on course to topple rival Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings after prevailing in a gruelling contest with France’s Gilles Simon at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna last night.
Top seed and current world No2 Murray defeated Simon 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 – his 12th successive victory – despite losing the opening set and will now face big-serving John Isner of the United States in the last eight.
Should Murray claim victory in Vienna in Sunday’s final and follow that with success at next week’s Paris Masters, Djokovic will have had to have reached the final in the French capital to retain the No1 spot.
Women’s world No1 Angelique Kerber and Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova, meanwhile, sealed their places in the last four of the WTA Finals in Singapore. Kerber beat Madison Keys 6-3, 6-3, to secure her third win of the week.
Slovakia’s Cibulkova, who earlier overcame Simona Halep of Romania 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), had required Kerber to win in straight sets in order to progress.