AS it happened Jamie Murray bumped into his brother Andy in the specially-built gym area at the o2 arena yesterday. He and his partner Bruno Soares were preparing for their impressive 6-3, 6-4 dismantling of Bob and Mike Bryan, the best doubles pairing in history.
His younger sibling, meanwhile, had been on the practice court just before, shaking the rust off after last night's singles opener against Marin Cilic and building up to this afternoon's meeting with Kei Nishikori. The two men shared a word or two, perhaps even a joke, but the accidental quality of the meeting said it all about how these two single-minded Scottish siblings often tend to be ships which pass in the night.
In London this week, each is independently charting their own path, yet they are inexorably headed towards the same destination. By the time both men get home to Dunblane and dig out the Christmas jumpers, they would both rather like to be able to call themselves the best in the world in their chosen professions.
While Andy, having climbed to World No 1 in singles, is determined to fend off the challenge of Novak Djokovic to stay there at year-end, Jamie - the individual World No 1 in doubles as recently as April - and his partner Bruno Soares now know they will overhaul French duo Nicolas Mahut and Pierre Hugues Herbert as the top doubles team in the world if they can win every match right through to the final.
"He [Andy] didn't start training here till Thursday," said Jamie. "I mean, it's just like another tournament. You're on your own schedule, preparing for your matches individually. I mean, we saw him in the gym this morning because we were going out on the practice court after him. It's just a couple minutes here and there.
"We're both focusing on our things," he added. "But our goals for the week I'm sure are the same: to try to win, do the best we can. I don't imagine we'll be seeing each other that much till the weekend, if we're both there.
"I watched some of his match last night, not all of it. I guess he has to keep winning, like us. That makes things easier for everyone. I'm sure he's super motivated. Right from the beginning, he seemed pretty fired up. Look, for him to finish No. 1, that's his goal. I'm sure it has been for the last few years. He does have a genuine chance to do it this year. He's put himself in a good position and what an achievement it would be if he does do it."
This was a fine performance from Jamie Murray and Soares, moving them onto two wins from two and banishing the memories of a painful defeat from the elder Murray sibling against the same opponents in the company of John Peers 12 months back. The Scottish/Australian pair lost 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 16-14 back in 2015 after squandering five match points, including four from 9-5 up. It was the last match they ever played together.
"I thought about that in the changeover in the last game," said Jamie. "They are the greatest team ever. There's no disputing that I think with the number of titles they've won. But we played a great match, from start to finish. Probably one of our best matches of the year."
If they were popular winners yesterday, Andy too admits he has had more warmth extended to him at this year's ATP World Tour finals than ever before. "The atmosphere helps – it is the best atmosphere I have played in since I have been here over the years," he said. "It means you get up for the match a bit more and get the adrenaline pumping."
While it also helps to have Ivan Lendl back in his corner, the Scot has proved during his 20-match winning run that he doesn't need the Czech there to be successful. "I have had my most successful periods when I was with Ivan," he said. "Whether it is coincidence or not, it works. I am glad about that but Ivan would be the first to say he cannot do every minute of every day and be on the road every single week. He needs there to be a very good team around me to help make it work. In the middle it was a bit different because they [Ivan and Jamie Delgado] didn’t know each other. But I think both of them will have gained each other’s trust I think, especially with what I have done since the US Open."
Nishikori, an impressive victor against Stan Wawrinka on Monday, ended Andy's US Open hopes over five sets in September, exacting a measure of revenge for a five-set win by the Scot on Davis Cup duty in Birmingham back in February. The World No 1 knows the Japanese star has never played better. "To win against a player like Stan with that scoreline," said Andy, "and I don't think Stan had really any chances on Kei's serve either ... I would say this is probably his best year that he's had on the tour. He's one of the best players in the world and he's been playing very well the last few months especially."
"For sure that win gives me little confidence," says the No 6 seed. "I had a tough loss in Rio. But in the US Open and Davis Cup, we played some good matches and I feel more chance to win the match [now] against Andy. Bot for sure I have to play one hundred percent to beat Andy."
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