JOIN USUS 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 on Monday.
Murray, the world number three, 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.
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.
More testing needed
Roger Federer wants more blood testing done in tennis to help keep the sport clear of doping, the 17-time Grand Slam champion said on the eve of the ATP World Tour Finals.
Britain's newly-crowned US Open champion Murray raised the subject this week at the Paris Masters, suggesting there needed to be more out-of-competition checks.
World Tour Finals title holder Federer said his Scottish rival had a point. "I feel I’m being less tested this time now than six, seven, eight years ago,” the Swiss said. “I don’t know the exact reasons why we are being tested less and at this moment I agree with Andy, we don’t do a lot of blood testing during the year.
“It’s important to have enough tests. I don’t like it when I’m only getting tested whatever number it is, which I don’t think is enough or sufficient during the year so I think we should up it a little bit or a lot,” Federer added.
Petrova crowned
Russia’s Nadia Petrova thrashed top-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-1 in Sofia on Sunday to secure her maiden Tournament of Champions trophy and a 13th career title.