‘Andy must keep Novak in sight’

All that Andy Murray needs to try and do is not let Novak Djokovic widen the gap at the Paris Masters next week in order to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming world No 1, says Barry Cowan.

Murray continued his march towards the top spot by winning the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Scot swept past Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 7-6 (8-6) with an immaculate display in the final to earn his seventh title of the year.

The Olympic and Wimbledon champion can take over the world No 1 ranking from Djokovic if he wins next week’s Paris Masters and the Serb fails to reach the final.

Djokovic has been handed a tough route to the title in Paris, where he will start in the second round against Spain’s Nicolas Almagro or in-form Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

The top ranking could come to a head when he faces a blockbuster semi-final clash against US Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

Murray’s route is also a tough one and includes a potential opening second round match against Fernando Verdasco before facing Roberto Bautista Agut, Tomas Berdych and then a mouth-watering semi-final date against Milos Raonic or Kei Nishikori.

And Sky Sports tennis expert Cowan feels Murray can do it if the mathematics work in his favour.

“Realistically, this is going to be very tough for Andy next week going into Paris,” Cowan said. “The hardest will be the first couple of rounds in Paris, and if he can get through those and the closer to the weekend he gets then I think he will be feeling better in himself and then he starts to see the …

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