Novak Djokovic has historically basked in the glow of the spotlight at the Londons O2 Arena, but for Andy Murray, the glare during the ATP World Tour Finals has usually been harsh, exposing his weaknesses and shortcomings.It might be a different story for the new world No. 1 this year.On Monday, Murray launched his campaign to consolidate the No. 1 ranking he lifted from Djokovics hands a little more than a week ago in Paris. He crushed Marin Cilic in the first match of the round-robin stage, 6-3, 6-2, in an hour and a half. Afterward, Murray admitted in his on-court interview, Its one of the best matches I have played here.It also was one of the most timely demonstrations of the hardworking 29-year-old Scots rewarding, but often frustrating, career.Like Rafael Nadal, a fellow member of the Big Four, Murray has never won the eight-man ATP grand finale. Unlike Nadal, Murray hasnt even made a final at the year-enders despite his expertise on hard courts. Its surprising when you consider the adulation from a besotted British crowd beaming down at him and the hybrid round-robin format that allows a player various backdoor ways to advance.Murray has qualified for nine finals (eight at the palatial O2 Arena), but his win against Cilic barely nudged him over the .500 mark in his year-end career (12-11). Murrays 6-0, 6-1 loss to 33-year-old Roger Federer in 2014 was a career low point -- and a painful embarrassment.Meanwhile, Djokovic is working on his fifth consecutive and sixth overall WTF title.The O2 arena is basically deep enemy territory for Murray. Djokovic has every right to pound his chest (as we know, hes not above it) and bellow, This is MY house! Chez Djokovic isnt exactly the place Murray would choose to turn his fortunes around, but recent events have conspired to turn this tournament into just that -- a showdown for the No. 1 ranking, as well as the even more precious year-end No. 1 ranking.Murray is the 26th man to reach No. 1 on the ATP computer. But only 16 have finished a calendar year as top man. Murray needs to go one round further than Djokovic (or to beat him in the final) to secure the honors.Until he actually became No. 1, Murray had been protesting that hitting the summit was not really his goal this fall. He declared he might have a better shot at in next spring. Far from the O2 Arena. Far from Chez Djokovic.Forget the prattle about how tough everyone is in the draw; this one was a gift handed to the beleaguered Djokovic. He is 24-0 against the three other players in his group --?Milos Raonic, Dominic Thiem (whom Djokovic beat Sunday) and Gael Monfils.Meanwhile, Murray was a solid but vulnerable 27-12 against the men in his field --?Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Cilic. To top it off, Cilic hit his career-high ranking of No. 7 just a week ago, and he hammered Murray in the Cincinnati final the last time they met.I dont feel any different this week than I did the week before when I get up in the morning and stuff, Murray said in the pretournament news conference in London.It was an uh-oh moment, saved only when he almost grudgingly elaborated on the effect of becoming the top player: Maybe when you step on court, you have a little more confidence, feel a little better about yourself when youre hitting balls and getting ready for the tournament.That confidence showed in his match with Cilic. Although Murray got off to a rocky start, smacking errant forehands and jabbering at his players guest box, he soon settled down, breaking Cilic to take a 3-1 lead. Murray won 59 percent of his second-serve points, and his aggressive return game paid off with four breaks in five break-point chances. Cilic also had five break points but converted just one.Murray attributed his sharp response to critical moments to the confidence he has accumulated in the course of a winning streak that now stands at 20 matches. Hell probably need to puff himself up even more assertively in the coming days because of the stakes in play.Winning this event is a very tall order for Murray, but he has been handling such demands with great resolve all fall. He has landed more squarely in the spotlight than ever before -- and the glare didnt seem nearly as bleak on Monday. Cheap Bills Jerseys Authentic . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Authentic Josh Allen Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. http://www.cheapbillsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-wyatt-teller-jersey . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Authentic Siran Neal Jersey . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Bills Jerseys China . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Fitz is in.Again.Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the New York Jets starting quarterback Sunday against the New England Patriots, with coach Todd Bowles making the announcement after practice Monday.Hes healthy, hes been our starter, Bowles said. I dont see anything that could change that right now.Fitzpatrick sat out the Jets previous game against Los Angeles on Nov. 13 with a sprained left knee. Bryce Petty made his first regular-season NFL start and went 19 of 32 for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 9-6 loss.Bowles said last week that he would consider which quarterback would give the Jets (3-7) the best chance of winning against the Patriots (8-2).Hes been playing all year, Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. He knows more of the system. He can do more things. Hes been the starter. I dont give away jobs. Youve got to take a job. Bryce has gotten better and hell be ready to play if called upon.Still, Bowles said he was leaning all along toward choosing Fitzpatrick, as long as the quarterback showed he was healthy enough to practice and play this week. He just needed Fitzpatrick to practice Monday to reaffirm his decision.Im excited to get out there and play versus New England and just try to rally our guys, Fitzpatrick said. This is something I really enjoy doing and really enjoy doing it with these guys in the locker room, so were looking forward to it.Fitzpatrick is tied with Jacksonvilles Blake Bortles for the NFL lead with 13 interceptions, and his 67.6 quarterback rating is the worst among quarterbacks with 150 or more passing attempts. He was benched earlier in the season in favor of Geno Smith. But Fitzpatrick regained his job when Smith was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament.When Fitzpatrick hurt his knee at Miami on Nov. 6, many fans and media figured it was the perfect opportunity for the Jets to play Petty the rest of the way to see what they have in last years fourth-round draft pick instead of a veteran who likely wont be re-signed as a free agent in the offseason.And, if Petty faltered, the Jets could theoretically give second-rounder Christian Hackenberg a look for the final game or two. That, however, is a philosophy Bowles doessnt subscribe to.ddddddddddddI actually know quite a bit about both of them, so its not paramount for them to play right now, Bowles said.And, right now, Fitz gives us the best option. You dont have to play a person just to see what they have. Pettys time will come. So, well be patient with that.With the players back at the facility for the first time since last Tuesday following a bye-week break, Fitzpatrick was able to test out his knee after having two full weeks to heal.Just getting treatments over the bye was nice, he said, and then today at practice just going out there and making sure that it felt as good as I thought it would, which it did.Fitzpatrick will play with a brace on the knee, something that gives him extra peace of mind. He also insisted it will not affect his play or mobility.Many fans hailed the Jets for re-signing Fitzpatrick to a one-year, $12 million deal on the eve of training camp.He was coming off a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes, and New York finished a win out of the playoffs at 10-6. But his brutal start and the piling losses had many of those same fans ready to turn the page on the veteran and look ahead to the younger quarterbacks.I think we play for each other, we play for the name on our jerseys, we play for a lot of different things, Fitzpatrick said. Its just one of those things. Its been a tough year, but we all still enjoy this game and playing with each other, so were going to go out there and give it everything we have.For Petty, its back to being a backup -- and waiting for another opportunity.Nothings changed for me, Petty said. Thats Coachs decision, so Im going to respect that. He knows whats best for the team.When asked if he was disappointed in the Jets going back to Fitzpatrick, Petty sidestepped the question.My feelings are irrelevant, he said. They really are. Im not going to focus on me because that takes away from the team. Again, nothings changed and Ill continue to prepare like Im the starter and get better every day.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL China Womens NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '