Murray avoids Djokovic and Federer in Tour Finals group

Andy Murray took time out from his preparations for the ATP World Tour Finals to launch the new Radical Tennis Collection from HEAD in London yesterday. Picture: HEAD/Getty

The British No 1 was handed what many will view as a kind draw when the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, drew out the names at City Hall last night.

As such, the Scot avoids world No 1 Novak Djokovic – who beat him in straight sets in the Paris Masters final last weekend – and Roger Federer in the group stage, with that pair drawn with Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic is the clear favourite for the event. The 28-year-old Serb comes into the season finale on a 22-match winning streak, taking in four straight titles at the US Open, Beijing, Shanghai and Paris. Djokovic is a four-time winner of the final showdown, lifting the trophy in 2008 in Shanghai before three successive victories in London from 2012.

Murray had initially been linked with skipping the event in favour of preparing for Great Britain’s Davis Cup final against Belgium later this month, but will now go up against fit-again Nadal, Wawrinka and Ferrer.

“I haven’t played against Stan [Wawrinka] for a long time. All the matches are tough ones against him, but I feel good, I feel fresh and, hopefully, I can play some good tennis this week.

“ I feel good about it (the forthcoming final). I have been practising at Queen’s on clay for the past four days.”

Murray is bidding to win the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for the first time, having reached the semi-finals three times before.

The Scot is is looking to finish in the top two in the Emirates ATP rankings for the first time in his career and currently holds a 1,130-point lead over Federer

In the doubles, Murray’s brother Jamie and his partner, John Peers, have been paired with the tournament favourites, the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike,

The finals start at London’s 02 on Sunday, with Djokovic opening against Nishikori, and Murray facing Ferrer on Monday.