Andy Murray marked his first match on home turf since winning the US Open with a gritty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tomas Berdych in the ATP Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena yesterday.

Murray was playing in front of a British audience for the first time since his dramatic final win against Novak Djokovic in New York in September and he rewarded the partisan crowd with a come from behind Group A success to kick off his latest bid to win the season-ending event.

The 25-year-old, who has never been past the semi-finals of the Tour Finals in four previous attempts, made a slow start against Czech fifth seed Berdych in the tournament’s opening match.

But, after failing to convert any of his first 10 break-point chances, Murray finally found his rhythm in the second set and was able to ease to the finish line in just over two hours.

Murray is the first British man for 76 years to win a Grand Slam and a maiden triumph at the Tour Finals would be a fitting finale to a remarkable campaign which also including winning the singles gold medal at the London Olympics and reaching a first Wimbledon final.

He entered the O2 Arena to a rapturous reception that reflected the British sporting public’s new-found admiration for a player who had previously struggled to win them over.

“It was tough from the start. Berdych has had a great year,” Murray said.

“It’s one last push for the end of the year and having so many people watching helps with the adrenaline.”

Late result
Djokovic bt Tsonga 7-6, 6-3.

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