By Chris Oddo | Wednesday November 2, 2016
Andy Murray had to battle long and hard to get past Fernando Verdasco in Paris and increase his winning streak to 16.
Photo Source: Sky Sports
Andy Murray was teetering late in the third set of his scrap with Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday at the Paris Masters. Serving at 5-5 and facing two break points, Murray was in danger of falling for the first time in nearly two months, but he dug deep to win the final eight points and notch a rousing 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-5 victory for his 16th consecutive triumph.
More: Djokovic Lays Down Marker in Paris
These days, when the chips are down, Murray tends to come through.
Murray improves to 12-1 against Verdasco and stretches his winning streak to seven against the Spaniard. More important, the Scotsman keeps alive his hopes at catching Novak Djokovic and claiming the World No. 1 ranking for the first time by week’s end in Paris.
Murray will next face Frenchman Lucas Pouille in Paris, and he could surpass Djokovic by winning the title if the Serb does not reach the final. He could also pass Djokovic by reaching the final if Djokovic does not reach the semifinal.
Murray struggled on serve and faced 11 break points in the two-hour and 28 minute tussle, saving all but three.
"It wasn't the best match from my side. I got through it. I will play better tomorrow," Murray said, according to ATPWorldTour.com. "I didn't necessarily feel comfortable out there, but I feel like the way the two of us finished the match, I was stronger at the end in the last game when I had my chance."
Djokovic, who has held the ATPs No.1 ranking for a total of 223 weeks and every day since July 7, 2014, was victorious over Gilles Muller in second round action on Wednesday. The Serb has a sixteen match winning streak of his own going in Paris—he is a three-time defending champion at the Paris Masters and has not lost at this event since 2012.