Murray Continues Push For Top Spot In Vienna

Andy Murray continues his quest to take the World No. 1 spot from Novak Djokovic at this week’s Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna.

If Murray wins in Vienna and next week’s BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, Djokovic would have to reach the Paris final in order to maintain his No. 1 standing. Djokovic currently has 10,600 points in the Emirates ATP Race to London, while Murray has 9,685 points. Should Murray win in Vienna, the 500 points he would gain would cut Djokovic’s lead over him to 415 points. The BNP Paribas Masters has 1,000 points on offer for the winner, enough for Murray to make a move for World No. 1.

After Paris, the Emirates ATP Race to London and the Emirates ATP Rankings will mirror each other. Murray must win in either Vienna or Paris if he is to have any chance of holding the top spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings before the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. But even if he prevails in both events, it’s not a guarantee Murray would unseat Djokovic.

Below are the scenarios in which Murray would move into the No. 1 position on Nov. 7.

· If Murray loses in the first-round of Vienna, he must win in Paris and Djokovic must lose beore the third round.

· If Murray loses in the second-round or quarter-finals of Vienna, he must win in Paris and Djokovic must lose before the quarter-finals.

· If Murray loses in the semi-finals of Vienna, he must win Paris and Djokovic must lose before the semi-finals

· If Murray finishes runner-up in Vienna, he must win in Paris and Djokovic must lose before the final

· If Murray wins Vienna, he must win in Paris and Djokovic must lose before the final, or he must reach the Paris final and Djokovic must lose before the semi-finals.

The battle for World No. 1 could be decided at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Djokovic is a five-time winner and four-time defending champion at the season-ending event, while Murray has never reached the final and moved past the round-robin stage in just three of seven previous appearances.

Murray starts his Vienna campaign with an opening round clash against Martin Klizan.