Novak Djokovic has historically basked in the glow of the spotlight at the Londons O2 Arena, but for Andy Murray, the glare during the ATP World Tour Finals has usually been harsh, exposing his weaknesses and shortcomings.It might be a different story for the new world No. 1 this year.On Monday, Murray launched his campaign to consolidate the No. 1 ranking he lifted from Djokovics hands a little more than a week ago in Paris. He crushed Marin Cilic in the first match of the round-robin stage, 6-3, 6-2, in an hour and a half. Afterward, Murray admitted in his on-court interview, Its one of the best matches I have played here.It also was one of the most timely demonstrations of the hardworking 29-year-old Scots rewarding, but often frustrating, career.Like Rafael Nadal, a fellow member of the Big Four, Murray has never won the eight-man ATP grand finale. Unlike Nadal, Murray hasnt even made a final at the year-enders despite his expertise on hard courts. Its surprising when you consider the adulation from a besotted British crowd beaming down at him and the hybrid round-robin format that allows a player various backdoor ways to advance.Murray has qualified for nine finals (eight at the palatial O2 Arena), but his win against Cilic barely nudged him over the .500 mark in his year-end career (12-11). Murrays 6-0, 6-1 loss to 33-year-old Roger Federer in 2014 was a career low point -- and a painful embarrassment.Meanwhile, Djokovic is working on his fifth consecutive and sixth overall WTF title.The O2 arena is basically deep enemy territory for Murray. Djokovic has every right to pound his chest (as we know, hes not above it) and bellow, This is MY house! Chez Djokovic isnt exactly the place Murray would choose to turn his fortunes around, but recent events have conspired to turn this tournament into just that -- a showdown for the No. 1 ranking, as well as the even more precious year-end No. 1 ranking.Murray is the 26th man to reach No. 1 on the ATP computer. But only 16 have finished a calendar year as top man. Murray needs to go one round further than Djokovic (or to beat him in the final) to secure the honors.Until he actually became No. 1, Murray had been protesting that hitting the summit was not really his goal this fall. He declared he might have a better shot at in next spring. Far from the O2 Arena. Far from Chez Djokovic.Forget the prattle about how tough everyone is in the draw; this one was a gift handed to the beleaguered Djokovic. He is 24-0 against the three other players in his group --?Milos Raonic, Dominic Thiem (whom Djokovic beat Sunday) and Gael Monfils.Meanwhile, Murray was a solid but vulnerable 27-12 against the men in his field --?Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Cilic. To top it off, Cilic hit his career-high ranking of No. 7 just a week ago, and he hammered Murray in the Cincinnati final the last time they met.I dont feel any different this week than I did the week before when I get up in the morning and stuff, Murray said in the pretournament news conference in London.It was an uh-oh moment, saved only when he almost grudgingly elaborated on the effect of becoming the top player: Maybe when you step on court, you have a little more confidence, feel a little better about yourself when youre hitting balls and getting ready for the tournament.That confidence showed in his match with Cilic. Although Murray got off to a rocky start, smacking errant forehands and jabbering at his players guest box, he soon settled down, breaking Cilic to take a 3-1 lead. Murray won 59 percent of his second-serve points, and his aggressive return game paid off with four breaks in five break-point chances. Cilic also had five break points but converted just one.Murray attributed his sharp response to critical moments to the confidence he has accumulated in the course of a winning streak that now stands at 20 matches. Hell probably need to puff himself up even more assertively in the coming days because of the stakes in play.Winning this event is a very tall order for Murray, but he has been handling such demands with great resolve all fall. He has landed more squarely in the spotlight than ever before -- and the glare didnt seem nearly as bleak on Monday. Human Race Noir . 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Basket Adidas Springblade Pas Cher .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open.With the Flat season over a month old, it might have escaped the attention of some that the Stobart-sponsored race to be champion jockey actually gets under way this weekend at Newmarket. With the Flat season over a month old, it might have escaped the attention of some that the Stobart-sponsored race to be champion jockey actually gets under way this weekend at Newmarket.Defending champion Silvestre de Sousa is as short as even-money favourite with a couple of bookmakers to retain his crown - but the Brazilian insists he will not be chasing it, believing that if he happens to be in a healthy position later in the season, it will come to him, as it did last year. But whatever happens, having been crowned once, it is something that can never be taken away.I dont think Ive got a point to prove - if it happens again it will happen, Im not going to go chasing it, De Sousa said.I wasnt really chasing it last year. It wasnt until halfway through the season that I realised I stood a chance. You cant say this early you are going to go for it, my main aim at the minute is to stay injury free all season. Ill just see how the first few weeks go and take it from there. The season is shorter now so that might change things, you might get people who wouldnt usually be interested giving it a real go.De Sousa rode nearly 40 more winners than his nearest pursuer last year, but only four of his 132 successes came in Group company and two of those were on the same horse, David Elsworths Arabian Queen.She caused one of the shocks of the season when beating Horse of the Year Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International at York.My main aim for the season is to pick up a few Group winners along the way, said De Sousa.The highlight last year was Arabian Queen, without a doubt. The Juddmonte is such a high-profile race and even if Golden Horn wasnt in it, there were still horses like The Grey Gatsby in there. To beat Golden Horn, who had already won a Derby and Eclipse and then went on to win an Arc, was a huge thrill.I dont think she has anything to prove, shes a very nice filly and definitely deserves another year, she was only three last year. David thinks shell be at her best over 10 furlongs or a mile and a half. Her dam (Barshiba) was very good and shes by Dubawi and his just get better with age.Other than her, Ill just be picking up bits and pieces along the way, Ive no outstanding horses to look forward to.It is well known that a weighing room is not a place to be big headed - you would soon be brought back down to earth with a bump - but De Sousa certainly does not strike as someone who would let success alter him.ddddddddddddve not noticed a difference with the way the lads treat me in the weighing room and I wouldnt expect them to, they certainly wouldnt let it go to my head, he says.If anything, Im finding it harder than ever to pick up the rides, Im certainly not getting special treatment. Having been away in the winter, Im having to build up all my contacts again.Its so competitive out there, but having had a retainer and been freelance, I can say its easier with a retainer - you have a commitment and you are guaranteed rides. As a freelance you are left picking up the pieces.I have a commitment to Mick Channon and hes started the season in flying form, which is nice. After that, I just get whats left, being champion certainly isnt getting me more rides.Its nice to be champion, dont get me wrong, but it certainly hasnt changed anything - I still have to get up early in the morning and go to work. When I first came over to Europe from Brazil, I hadnt even dreamt about being champion, my first aim was just to get a few rides.When I then moved from Ireland to the north of England things began to pick up. I had a good relationship with David OMeara before he was the David OMeara we know he is today. I had two very good seasons with him.I then had a lot of support from Mark Johnston and I think hes been the biggest influence on my career. Despite having a lot of other jockeys to use, including the Godolphin boys, he still uses me when he can.It may not feel like spring given the snow this week, but the first Classics of the season really signal the beginning of the Flat campaign in earnest and although De Sousa is without a mount in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, he feels his ride in the fillies equivalent, William Knights Robanne, is not without each-way claims.I ride Robanne and shes not without a chance, said De Sousa.She ran really well in the Nell Gwyn and shes entitled to improve a lot for that, not much went right for her but she flew home. I think she deserves her place in the field, a mile should suit and Id be disappointed if she doesnt go close. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ' ' '
