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Murray into ATP Finals

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-15 08:19

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his match against Jeremy Chardy of France at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament October 14, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Andy Murray became the fourth man to qualify for next month's season-ending championships as he defeated Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Thursday.

The Scot joins Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in making up half of the field for the elite eight-man showdown from Nov 21.

"It's a great achievement," the Scot said of his entry into the year-end field. "I'm obviously very happy to have done it with a few tournaments left. Today was a good match. I'm happy with how I played."

Murray advanced in 80 minutes over the No 59, setting up three match points with his ninth ace of a match played under the closed roof at the Qi Zhong center as more rain plagued the outdoor event.

Murray saved the five break points he faced from the Frenchman whom he has now defeated in all three of their meetings.

The fourth-seeded Scot produced 21 winners and 14 unforced errors as he worked to lift his game after last week's quarterfinal disappointment in Beijing.

Robin Soderling, Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and injured Andy Roddick are the next four in the queue for London qualification.

But results over this week and the next four through to the end of the regular ATP season will decide the final lineup for the World Tour Finals.

AFP