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Andy Murray relishing ATP World Tour Finals challenge

Summary:

The Scot faces David Ferrer in Monday’s afternoon session, with Group A matches against Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych to follow.

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By Nicolas Atkin

Andy Murray is relishing the challenge of winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Murray faces David Ferrer in Monday’s afternoon session, with Group A matches against Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych to follow.

The end-of-season showcase starts at the O2 Arena tomorrow, pitting the world’s top eight players against each other.

Murray said: “If you can win here, it’s one of the biggest achievements.”

World no.1 Djokovic is the bookies’ favourite, while Group B’s Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will also fancy their chances.

He added: “None of the matches are easy. Ferrer I’ve played well against on hard courts in the past but he’s won tournaments indoors.

“If I don’t play well it’s going to be a tough one and obviously Berdych played very well in Paris.

“Against Novak, though he’s had some problems in the past weeks, it’s going to be long points, long matches probably.”

Against such formidable opposition, Murray knows he can ill afford a bad start. He said: “You have to make sure from the first match you are switched on.

“Other places you can work your way into the tournament, here you have to be at your best from the word go.”

With doubts growing over Murray’s ability to win a Grand Slam, the Scot points to reigning Wimbledon, Australian and US Open champion Djokovic.

Murray said: “People were saying, ‘Is he ever going to win another Grand Slam, is he good enough to do it’?

“It just shows everyone is good enough if you can play your best tennis at the right moments and gain that confidence he’s had this year.

“No one can improve that much at this stage of their career – his game was always there. He had never beaten Rafa in a final and then this year he won six in a row.

“I don’t know how you would explain that. I don’t think he’s made huge, drastic changes to his game, it’s just that bit of confidence.”

But Murray doesn’t believe victory in London is a necessary precursor to winning a Grand Slam next year.

The Scot said: “Novak didn’t play well here last year, then had his best year ever. The year before, Rafa lost and then had one of his best years on the tour.

“I feel like I can win against all of these, regardless of whether I do well here or not.”

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