Andy Murray moved into seventh in the ATP Race to London standings with a vital 5-7 6-2 7-5 victory against David Ferrer in the final of the Vienna Open.
The pair are on a collision course in the World Tour Final rankings with both challenging for one of the remaining qualifying spots for a place at London’s O2 Arena. Only the top eight qualify while Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stanislas Wawrinka and Marin Cilic have already earned their places.
So this, for Murray, was as important a victory as they come, following a gruelling two hours and 40 minutes on court in Vienna. Only a maximum 1,500 points remain on offer in the standings, with two events to play in Valencia and Paris.
Ferrer was gifted a break of serve to put him 4-2 up in the first when Murray sent a wild forehand wide of the line. However, a superb volley gave Murray impetus in the following game and, despite seeing his first break point saved, got back on serve when his opponent sent a return high and wide.
A comfortable hold for Murray got him back level at four games apiece, before Ferrer needed eight minutes to save his serve with a powerful forehand and then serve wide to edge ahead once again.
Both held again, but Ferrer worked his way to three break points on the Murray serve at 6-5, which included an excellent lob. Murray saved two but dumped a forehand to gift Ferrer the first set 7-5.
Murray’s defence, though, improved in the second and he quickly forced a decider. Ferrer had chances to break his opponent again but this time could not convert a single one of the six break points he earned. Murray moved 2-1 and a break ahead courtesy of two double faults from Ferrer, who conceded the advantage with a weak return to a forceful body shot from the Scot.
Murray saved four break points in the next to secure the break and moved 5-2 ahead shortly after with a superb backhand winner, before Ferrer netted a forehand return. Murray held to force a third and final set, taking the second 6-2.
And it was he who stole momentum with an immediate break of serve after a tired Ferrer found the net with a limp return. Murray held with an ace and then caught his opponent on deuce, but failed to break again when his forehand went long past the baseline.
From there, momentum shifted Ferrer’s way again as he levelled up thanks to a brilliant volley off his toes. Murray tried for the immediate response but Ferrer’s serve proved too strong. Two break points were saved by Murray, before Ferrer finally moved into an outright lead when his opponent found the net with a forehand.
Murray summoned the strength to produce a third straight break of serve with another unreturnable forehand. However, Ferrer hit back immediately for a fourth consecutive break and was serving for the match, only to suffer a timely double fault to put Murray back in it.
Two big serves and a super forehand from Murray made it 5-5 before he moved within one game of the match with a third break of Ferrer’s serve.
From there, he sealed the match and title in a fashion unfitting of this encounter. When Murray found the edge of the white with an ace, the line judge called out, only for the Scot to successfully challenge the call and walk away with what could be his most important victory of the season.
