World tennis number one Andy Murray had to trawl deep into the bottom of his energy reserves to outlast Japan's Kei Nishikori in a monumental battle lasting more than three hours at the ATP World Tour Finals.
Andy Murray has failed to reach the US Open semi-finals. Photo: Photosport
Murray, who won the match 6-7 6-4 6-4, looked in trouble when Nishikori edged an epic tiebreak to claim the opening set in 85 minutes.
But the Scot hit back to avenge his US Open quarter-final loss to the world number five and continue his 21-match winning streak.
With two victories already in the bag in the John McEnroe group, Murray will qualify for the semi-finals with a match to spare if Marin Cilic beats Stan Wawrinka in the tournament's evening session.
With Novak Djokovic, his rival to end the year as number one, already in the semi-finals, Murray could well have to win the Tour Finals for the first time if he is to keep hold of the top spot.
- Reuters
