With 1,500 points available for an undefeated champion next week, the tournament could produce a thrilling climax with Murray and Djokovic, who have never met at the O2, facing off in the final for the year-end number one ranking.
Murray, who took a wildcard into the seaside event as a fitness test for next week's Wimbledon, looked sharp on a sun-baked centre court and tasted victory for the first time since beating Benoit Paire in the last 16 of Wimbledon 350 days ago.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer remain on course for a marquee one-two clash in the men's US Open final, but each must first vanquish a formidable opponent and friend in Friday's semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
British tennis maestro Andy Murray has reclaimed his second spot from Roger Federer in the latest ATP rankings after winning his maiden Italian Open title.
World No 1s Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber have been named top seeds for the first major of the season, Australian Open, which will commences on January 16.
Stefanos Tsitsipas said he would not be surprised if Daniil Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic
Simona Halep ended Beatriz Haddad Maia's dream run in Toronto
Next up for the 35-year-old will be another American in 39th-ranked Tommy Paul with a potential semi-final clash against top-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev, who he defeated in the Australian Open final from a two-sets deficit.
Professional sports events in Italy have been played without fans since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic but sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said fans would be allowed to attend the closing stages of the tournament on Sunday and Monday.
Organisers of this year's US and French Opens established bio-secure 'bubbles' for players, who were not allowed to leave their hotel rooms except to train and play.
Novak Djokovic claimed a fourth Wimbledon title in ruthless fashion as he beat giant South African Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) in the final.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who beat Switzerland's Roger Federer to win his 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday:
The Swiss squandered seven set points in the opener and although he took the second on a tiebreak he capitulated in the decider after dropping serve at 1-2, losing 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-1.
Nadal will have the chance to claim the top spot back on Monday if he wins his third title in Acapulco
'I think it will be environmentally very beneficial. Life is such a hustle, and you never get the time to spend with your family and connect with them'
'Obviously Rafa is in great position to finish World No. 1'
The fifth-seeded Ukrainian reached her second straight Grand Slam semi-final after also making the last four at Wimbledon in July.
Switzerland's Roger Federer, who has been hampered by back problems, has been named to play in the second singles rubber of the Davis Cup final against France's Gael Monfils on Friday, organisers announced on Thursday.
Ferrer, 37, announced earlier in the year he would end his 19-year career at the Madrid Open and prolonged his time on court by a day by beating Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday, but was easily overpowered by world number four Zverev.
Along with the Australian Open, Murray will also miss the ATP Cup to be played in Australia on January 3.
Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have been named top seeds for the Australian Open starting on Monday.
Mischa Zverev took some of the limelight back from younger brother Alexander when he beat second seed Kei Nishikori to reach the Geneva Open final on Friday.
Nadal surpassed the haul of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Andy Murray has lost the world number two spot to Roger Federer in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, after his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Masters final.
Defending champion Angelique Kerber battled her nerves and blew a match point in the second set before finally overcoming Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the second round.
Bidding for a record-extending ninth Australian Open title, the world number one and double-defending champion remains the runaway favourite at his favourite Grand Slam where he once remarked that he felt touched by the "divine".
Italy sealed a place in the semi-finals of the ATP Cup by winning both singles matches against France
A long season took its toll on Roger Federer on Thursday as the Swiss was knocked out of the Paris Masters following a 7-6(3) 3-6 7-6(5) third-round defeat by big serving John Isner.
World number three Roger Federer is playing his first tournament on clay for three years as he prepares for the French Open.
'I spoke to Roger and Rafa a few days ago and we had a conversation about the near future of tennis. How we can contribute to help lower ranked guys who are obviously struggling the most.'
'I don't see him in any way stressed. He won't be completely destroyed if Rafa makes the 20'
Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak at the China Open to 27 matches with a 6-2, 6-2 demolition over big-serving American John Isner on Friday.
Australian Nick Kyrgios was involved in a fresh dispute after being accused of swearing at the BNP Paribas Open in California.
Four more performances like that at the O2 Arena this week should guarantee Andy Murray will end 2016 leading the pack.
Stan Wawrinka will begin his title defense at the Chennai Open facing off against Croatian teenager Borna Coric.
Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka and compatriot Roger Federer suffered contrasting third round defeats at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday.
World number one Novak Djokovic has enjoyed a whirlwind trip to Sunday's U.S. Open final, but the top-seeded Serb expects hard work ahead when he meets Stan Wawrinka at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Defending champion Djokovic, who became the third man to hold all four grand slam singles titles at once after his triumph at Roland Garros in June, owns a 19-4 career head-to-head advantage over the Swiss third seed.
Last year, Andy Murray prevailed on four sets but the Briton has been struggling to find his A-game this season. Stan Wawrinka also believes he is playing better than a year ago.
There were no jeers this time as Swiss Stan Wawrinka defied the odds to win the French Open with a courageous 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over world number one Novak Djokovic in an enthralling final on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal's decision to skip the US Open because of health concerns has added another twist to the intriguing three-way battle for the most career men's Grand Slam titles and, in many eyes, the title of Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). Had the 34-year-old Spaniard managed to retain the title he won in a five-set thriller against Daniil Medvedev last year, he would have joined Roger Federer at the top of the list with 20 titles. Instead, his decision has cleared the path for 33-year-old Novak Djokovic to edge to within one of Nadal's Grand Slam tally with a fourth title at Flushing Meadows and 18 in total.
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