JONAS Bjorkman could not be happier to see Andy Murray on top of the tennis world – but that will not stop him plotting the Scot’s downfall today. Twelve months ago, the Swede was in Murray’s camp for the ATP World Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena but that proved to be his last tournament as assistant coach, with their partnership ending last December.

This summer, Bjorkman linked up with Marin Cilic, and, in a quirk of fate, Murray’s first match as world No 1 finds him pitted against the former US Open champion and Bjorkman as the Scot gets his round-robin campaign under way.

There could certainly have been easier opening matches for Murray. Cilic is probably in the hottest form of anyone apart from the Scot and won their most recent meeting in Cincinnati in August, which represented an auspicious start to his partnership with Bjorkman.

Bjorkman, a former world No 4, admits today’s clash will be a strange occasion. “Absolutely,” he said. “I was sitting at home watching when they played in Cincinnati, so that was OK. Watching at home is not the same. Here now, it’s going to be different, but it will be fun. I have a great relationship with the whole team. I’m so happy for Andy, what he has achieved.



“He really put himself in a good position for this year and has continued to play extremely well. I think no-one else deserves it more than him.

“I saw the work he puts in every day and I’m really impressed the way he’s been playing the last couple of months.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough match for Marin to play him now when he’s in this form but it’s the group stage and you can be a little bit more relaxed. Hopefully Marin can go in and take advantage of the victory from Cincy.”

Murray overtook Novak Djokovic to top the rankings for the first time last Monday after winning four straight tournaments but he must out-perform the Serbian this week to hold on to the No 1 spot.

It has been a spectacular rise, with Murray more than 8,000 points behind Djokovic in June, but Bjorkman is not surprised to see the Scot on top of the pile.

He said: “There was no doubt Andy was going to take the No 1 spot but, if it was going to happen this year, with the points gap that Novak had from Paris...? If anyone had asked around Paris everyone would have said that was going to be extremely tough.

“But Novak maybe mentally relaxed a little bit after he finally won all four majors. After him being so dominant for so many years, you need to find new goals to motivate you. He went down a little bit and Andy got the mental boost from winning Wimbledon, I think that was the big key for him, and after that he’s almost been unstoppable.”

The Cilic defeat in Cincinnati is one of only three Murray has suffered since the French Open, a run that has brought him 45 wins.

Cilic, right, is hoping it can be a good omen, saying: “Obviously that win in Cincinnati is a big part for me to prepare and know that even with Andy’s great form I was able to beat him.

“I’m definitely going to take a few things from that match to try to implement here. But it’s also different conditions here, we’re playing indoors. Andy has been on an amazing run in these last few weeks, he’s going to be extremely motivated, he’s going to have the crowd on his side. I just hope that I can continue with my good form.”

Cilic’s qualification for the O2 was the result of his own excellent results over the second half of the season, with the Cincinnati title followed by one in Basle last month.

Earlier this month in Paris, meanwhile, he ended a 14-match losing streak against Djokovic, a result that enabled Murray to take the number one ranking.

“He obviously congratulated me on the victory but nothing special like he’s going to hug me as a 'Well done' for beating Novak,” said Cilic with a smile. “That didn’t happen.”

In today’s other singles action, Stan Wawrinka faces Kei Nishikori. Their match will start at 2pm or later, while Murray tales on Cilic at 8pm or later.