Andy Murray

With only the Davis Cup still left to play for after another action-packed tennis year, PA Sport looks at the highlights from the 2008 campaign:
 
MEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andy Murray
 
Murray started the year as a player on the fringe of the true elite and proceeded to establish himself as very much part of it, claiming two Masters Series titles and finishing runner-up in the US Open.
 

So Andy Murray's season ended in a disappointing defeat at the Masters Cup at the weekend, but what a year it's been.

Five ATP titles, including two in the prestigious Masters Series, and a first Grand Slam final prove Murray has truly turned potential into success. At least to me it does.

However, the wider British public will, rightly or wrongly, decide whether his career is a success or not on two factors - whether he wins a Grand Slam title or not and whether he ever climbs to the top of the world rankings.

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer says winning Wimbledon is more important to him than regaining his No 1 ranking.

Federer has told reporters Monday "Wimbledon is something special. There is no substitute for it." He was speaking on the eve of an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur, billed as the "Showdown of Champions."

Others playing Tuesday night are James Blake, ranked tenth, and two former Wimbledon champions, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. The quartet will play two singles matches and one doubles.

Seven-times Grand Slam winner John McEnroe has said the men's game has completely eclipsed the women's over the past five years on the personality front.

Andy Murray insists US Open winner Roger Federer and French and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal remain the men to beat next year.

Murray has enjoyed his best season on the circuit, recording a third win over Federer this year - and fourth overall in six meetings - on Friday to dump the 13-time grand slam winner out of the Masters Cup.

Men's tennis world rankings on Monday
(previous week's rankings in brackets):

Andy Murray had no regrets after his Masters Cup bid came to an end Saturday against Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals.

The British No. 1 failed to match the heights of Friday’s thrilling epic win over Roger Federer which eliminated the two-time defending champion, losing, 7-5, 6-2, to the Russian world No. 5.

Nikolay Davydenko reached the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai with a straightforward 7-5 6-2 victory over world number four Andy Murray.