Jamie Murray is celebrating his ascent to the top of world tennis – and he hopes brother Andy can join him. Jamie will become the first British player in singles or doubles to be ranked world No 1 when the standings are updated on Monday since the introduction of a computerised ranking system in the 1970s.
In climbing above Brazilian Marcelo Melo, Jamie will surpass the achievement of Andy, who currently sits a distant second behind Novak Djokovic in the singles standings.
There is, of course, a world of difference between making it to the top in singles and doubles, and Jamie cited Andy’s single-minded pursuit of his goals as an inspiration.
“Andy’s obviously been at the top of the game for such a long time but hasn’t been able to do it because the level that these guys are playing at these days is so incredibly high,” Jamie said. “He’s having an amazing career and done so many great things on the court. He inspired me to try and max out in my tennis and be the best I can be. I think bar a couple of players, or a slightly different generation, he would have been there. Hopefully he can still make it.”
It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for 30-year-old Jamie, who considered calling it quits in 2013 as he slid down the rankings. But a fruitful partnership with Australian John Peers, culminating in final appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open and qualification for the ATP World Tour Finals in London last season, put his career firmly back on track.
Changing partners from Peers to Brazilian Bruno Soares for 2016 was a risk but it paid off as the pair lifted their first grand slam men’s doubles title at the Australian Open.
It looked like Jamie would have to wait to become No 1 when he and Soares lost their opening match at the Miami Open last week – but, Melo failed to reach the quarter-finals with his partner Ivan Dodig.
Jamie, who has had 63 different partners during his career, said: “I didn’t even know Marcelo was playing his match and then my phone just started going crazy, lots of people messaging me.
“It’s an awesome feeling. I think definitely my motivation is even higher than before, now that I’ve got here. You want to stay here.”
While both Murrays were beaten early on in Miami, Djokovic remains on course for a third successive title after booking his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4, win over Dominic Thiem.
The world No 1 will next meet Tomas Berdych after the Czech saw off Richard Gasquet in three sets, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
Kei Nishikori, seeded sixth, is the second highest seed left in the tournament behind Djokovic after he eased past Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-4.
There was an enthralling encounter between Gael Monfils and Andy Murray’s conqueror Grigor Dimitrov which Monfils prevailed 6-7 (7/5), 6-3, 6-3, while Milos Raonic had it much easier, beating Damir Dzumhur 6-0, 6-3.
In the women’s event, British No 1 Johanna Konta was beaten in the quarter-finals by Victoria Azarenka. Konta, the first British woman to reach the last eight of the tournament, went down 6-4, 6-2 to her Belarusian opponent in just over 90 minutes.
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