Skip to content

ATP World Tour Finals: Andy Murray in pole position to make London, says Barry Cowan

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Barry Cowan speaks to Rachel Wyse about Andy Murray's chances of success in Valencia after his latest victory over David Ferrer in the Vienna Open.

Andy Murray's victory over David Ferrer in the final of the Erste Bank Open places him in pole position for an ATP World Tour Finals berth, according to Sky Sports pundit Barry Cowan.

Murray had lost to Ferrer earlier in the month in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, which left him needing to beat the Spaniard in order to stake his claim for a place in London's season-ending event this November.

Live ATP Tennis

Ferrer had chances of his own to win the title in Vienna on Sunday, even serving for the match at one point, but he came up up short against the top-ranked British player after a little more than one hour and 40 minutes.

The win places Murray in eigth position in the Race to London rankings, and Ferrer in ninth, with two tournaments remaining in which to decide which eight players will make up the draw.

Cowan described the victory for Murray as 'massive' and believes it places the Scot in the strongest position to qualify out of those fighting for the eighth and final spot - though the Sky Sports analyst says the 26-year-old will be feeling the effects of a heavy tennis schedule

"Andy showed his incredible determination and held his nerve after Ferrer served for the match," Cowan told Sky Sports News HQ. "That now puts him in pole position over the next two weeks.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Andy Murray has won the Vienna Open and is now in the final automatic qualifying spot for the world tour finals.

"He's played four weeks in a row; he's gone from Asia to Vienna last week - a title he had to win given he took a late wildcard - and now he's got a couple more weeks to play, so I really do hope that he makes that final push.

Latest Tennis Stories

"The way Andy plays is not like a Federer whose points are a little shorter - Andy has to fight a little harder.

"Those matches such as Ferrer at the weekend take its toll and you're always more vulnerable at the beginning of the week.

Remember when he won the title in Shenzhen a few weeks ago, which was his first title for 15 months, he was really lacklustre in the opening set against Jerzy Janowicz, but was able to come back and win in three.

"That's always my doubt when you win a tournament, but if you look at his draw I think it's favourable. Certainly it's something that Andy will feel quite comforatble with."

Watch the ATP Valencia Open all week on Sky Sports.

Andy Murray of Britain holds the trophy after winning the final match  against David Ferrer of Spain at the Erste Bank Open tennis tournament in Vienna
Image: Murray is in pole position to qualify for the London competition after winning Erste Bank Open

Around Sky