LONDON — US Open champion Andy Murray recovered from a faltering start to beat Tomas Berdych in his first match on home soil since winning his maiden Grand Slam title as the ATP World Tour Finals began in London's Docklands Monday. Murray, the world No. 3, was greeted on court at the cavernous O2 Arena like a returning hero, but the atmosphere was subdued as Berdych took the first set before the Scot turned things round to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening Group A clash. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the man Murray conquered to win his first grand slam title less than two months ago in New York, was to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga later Monday. Murray's inability to convert the numerous break points he engineered almost cost him against Czech Berdych. The Olympic champion was 15-40 ahead on Berdych's serve in the opening game and was 0-40 up in fifth game but was frustrated as Berdych produced some brutal attacking tennis to stay on terms. The first set then swung Berdych's way with a spurt of 13 points out of 15, including a crucial service break in the sixth game when a Murray yanked a forehand low into the net. Berdych had to save another break point as he served for the first set at 5-3 but again Murray could not convert his chance and Berdych sealed the opener when a Murray forehand flicked the net tape and sailed long. Murray saved two break points at 1-1 in the second set and finally achieved a service break, at the 11th attempt, in the following game despite Berdych again battling back from 0-40. That proved the turning point as Murray, with the 20,000 crowd finally coming to life, fired himself up and began to dominate the baseline exchanges. After leveling the match he gained a decisive break of serve in the third game of the decider against a becalmed Berdych and held on for victory, only his fourth in eight matches against Berdych, sealing it when his opponent slapped a backhand into the net. Defending champion Roger Federer begins Tuesday against world No. 9 Janko Tipsarevic, who qualified for the eight-man finale in the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal. Djokovic ends year on top Djokovic has sewn up the end of year ATP top spot after elbowing Roger Federer off top spot in the rankings published Monday. Djokovic moved back into pole position after losing out to Federer following the latter's seventh Wimbledon success on July 9. And the Serb will remain top now through into 2013 as Federer cannot improve on last year's showing at the ATP Tour finals in London this week as he is reigning champion at the season-closing event. Federer conceded the No. 1 ranking when opting out of defending his Paris Masters title last week on the grounds he could not do himself justice by playing successive tournaments in Basle, Paris and London. He also hailed Djokovic as deserving of the top spot for the year. Although the Serb did not manage to scale the heights of 2011, when he won three out of the four Grand Slam singles titles, this year has seen him retain his Australia Open crown and reach the finals of both the French and US Opens, losing the latter to Britain's Andy Murray. Paris Masters champion David Ferrer is still fifth but closing in on former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, while Poland's Jerzy Janowicz, Paris finalist, is heading for the top 20 - he currently stands 26th, up from 69th. — Agencies
