Tennis: Murray claims Paris title

Britain's Andy Murray poses with his trophy on the podium after winning the final tennis match against USA's John Isner at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tournament in Paris on November 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA

Andy Murray celebrated his new world number one ranking with a first Paris Masters title on Sunday after defeating American John Isner 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in the final.

 
Murray, 29, will replace Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings on Monday and claimed his eighth title of a remarkable season after extending his winning run to 19 matches.

“This has been an incredible journey for me to get to the top of the rankings,” said Murray, who will move 405 points above long-time rival Djokovic.

It is the Briton’s fourth title in succession after wins in Beijing, Shanghai and Vienna and his 14th career Masters 1000 triumph.

Murray entered his Tour-leading 12th final of the year having won all seven previous meetings with Isner, including straight-sets wins at Roland Garros in May and last week in Vienna.

For Isner, who was chasing a first title of the season, it was his third appearance in a Masters final after finishing runner-up at Indian Wells in 2012 and Cincinnati in 2013.