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Andy Murray avoids the world No1 Novak Djokovic in ATP finals draw Andy Murray avoids the world No1 Novak Djokovic in ATP finals draw
(35 minutes later)
Andy Murray has avoided the world No1 Novak Djokovic in the group stages of the ATP World Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena next week. Andy Murray has avoided the world No1 Novak Djokovic in the group stages of the ATP World Tour Finals in London next week.
The British number one looks to have been given a kind draw as he was matched with Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic in Group B, with the latter two competitors playing in the season-ending tournament for the first time. Murray looks to have been given a kind draw as he was matched with Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic in Group B, with the latter two competitors playing in the season-ending tournament at the O2 for the first time.
Djokovic, who has beaten Murray on the four occasions they have played each other this year, will face Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic in Group A.Djokovic, who has beaten Murray on the four occasions they have played each other this year, will face Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic in Group A.
The top seed Djokovic is in Group A with Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, the Czech Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic of Croatia.The top seed Djokovic is in Group A with Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, the Czech Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Murray was forced to miss last year’s competition as he continued his recovery from back surgery but he had qualified in the previous five years.Murray was forced to miss last year’s competition as he continued his recovery from back surgery but he had qualified in the previous five years.
He only guaranteed his spot for this year’s event with a superb final few weeks which saw him win titles in Shenzhen, Vienna and Valencia before a run to the Paris Masters quarter-finals, where he was beaten by Djokovic in straight sets which ended an 11-match unbeaten run. He only guaranteed his spot with a superb final few weeks that saw him win titles in Shenzhen, Vienna and Valencia before a run to the Paris Masters quarter-finals, where he was beaten by Djokovic in straight sets which ended an 11-match unbeaten run.
Murray could have been forgiven for wanting to be kept apart from his old rival given the Serbian’s stronghold over him this season although he has lost twice to Federer this year, at the Australian Open in January and the Cincinnati Masters in August. Murray could have been forgiven for wanting to be kept apart from his old rival given the Serbian’s hold over him this season although he has lost twice to Federer this year, at the Australian Open in January and the Cincinnati Masters in August.
Their head-to-head is finely poised, currently standing at 11 wins apiece, but Federer has beaten Murray on the three occasions they have met at the O2. Their head-to-head is finely poised, standing at 11 wins apiece, but Federer has beaten Murray on the three occasions they have met at the O2.
Murray has a losing record against the big-hitting Canadian Raonic, who holds a 3-1 advantage which includes a three-set victory in their latest encounter at Indian Wells earlier this year. Murray has a losing record against the big-hitting Canadian Raonic, who holds a 3-1 advantage that includes a three-set victory in their latest encounter at Indian Wells earlier this year.
The Scot has won all three previous encounters with Nishikori, however, and will face the Japanese in his opening match, with a time and date to be confirmed. Murray has won all three encounters with Nishikori, however, and will face the Japanese in his opening match, with a time and date to be confirmed.
Murray, ranked sixth in the world, must finish in the top two of his group in order to progress to the semi-finals, with the knockout stages scheduled to be played on November 15 and 16. Murray, ranked sixth in the world, must finish in the top two of his group in order to progress to the semi-finals, with the knockout stages to be played on 15 and 16 November.
The world No3 Rafael Nadal misses this year’s event in order to undergo surgery on an appendix. The world No3 Rafael Nadal misses the event in order to have surgery on his appendix.
ATP World Tour Finals drawATP World Tour Finals draw
Group A: Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Marin CilicGroup A: Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic
Group B: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Milos RaonicGroup B: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic
Ties to be played 9-16 NovemberTies to be played 9-16 November