2016 PARIS MASTERS: Murray Reaches World #1, Will Face Isner in Final

Andy Murray will be the new World #1 on Monday November 7, thanks to a withdrawal by Milos Raonic from the 2016 Paris Masters, allowing him to reach the final, which gives him just five more ATP ranking points than former World #1 Novak Djokovic. If he wins the final, Murray will gain another 400 points. Murray is 72-9 on the year and has won 7 titles so far (tied with Djokovic, who achieved the career grand slam earlier this year). Murray had held the #2 ranking for a total of 76 weeks (in 7 discontinuous stints) before reaching #1.

From ATPworldtour.com:

On Monday, at 29 years, 5 months and 23 days, the Dunblane native will be the 26th player in the history of the Emirates ATP Rankings (since 1973) and the second-oldest player (John Newcombe, 30 years, 11 days, on 3 June 1974) to debut at No. 1 in the official rankings in men's tennis. He is the 15th European player to rank No. 1 and owns the ATP World Tour record for most time between becoming No. 2 and No. 1, having debuted at No. 2 on 17 August 2009.

Murray is the 26nd person to hold the #1 spot in the history of the ATP rankings (since 1973). Now the entire Big Four Djokovic (223 weeks), Roger Federer (302 weeks) and Rafael Nadal (141 weeks) have all reached the Top spot. It is likely that the battle for the very top of men's tennis will be between Djokovic and Murray for the next few years, two rivals who were born just 1 week apart in 1987.

On Sunday the new #1 will face John Isner, who defeated Marin Cilic (in straight sets!) in the final of the Paris Masters. Isner is playing in his 3rd Masters final while Murray is trying to win his 3rd of the year an dis playing in his 21st Masters final overall (13-7). Murray has a 7-0 undefeated head-to-head record against the top-ranked American, and has beaten him twice this year without losing a set. Isner is playing some of his best tennis of the year and is currently at World $#19 and could end the year at #15 if he wins the title.

MadProfessah's prediction: Murray.