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Soon-to-be-Sir Andy Murray appears to be on his way to a coronation in London -- or, at the very least, knighthood.He has won 20 consecutive matches, has snatched the No. 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic and is bidding to run away and hide at these Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.Still, history -- and this is a sprawling city with more than most -- suggests there could be some drama in the offing. For instance, Murray has qualified for this year-end event nine times but has never won it. And consider that Wednesdays round-robin opponent, Kei Nishikori, poses a serious threat. Two of their three matches this year went the maximum five sets, with Nishikori taking the most recent, in the quarterfinals of the US Open.This match can be seen on ESPN3 at 9 a.m. ET.?The 26-year-old from Japan, who could conceivably finish the year at a career-high No. 3, wrecked US Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3 in the first round-robin match, which clearly caught Murrays attention.I didnt see the match, but he obviously must have played very well, Murray said in his news conference after defeating Marin Cilic by a similar count. To win against a player like Stan with that score line; I dont think Stan had really any chances on Keis serve, either.I would say this is probably his best year that hes had on the tour. Hes one of the best players in the world. Hes been playing very well the last few months especially.This, of course, Murray knows firsthand. He also understands that the winner will be 2-0 in round-robin play and in a commanding position to advance to Saturdays semifinals.Murray won the first two meetings earlier this year, prevailing in a five-setter in Davis Cup play and, more recently, at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, winning a semifinal tilt more comfortably, 6-1, 6-4.I had a tough loss in Rio, Nishikori admitted. But US Open and Davis Cup, we played some good matches. I feel more chance to win the match against Andy. Yeah, for sure I have to play well and play 100 percent to beat Andy. This [Wawrinka] match will help, for sure, for next match.Before the Olympics, Nishikori also beat Wawrinka in the semifinals at Toronto, ending a run of 0-for-16 against top-five opponents. They ran into each other again in the US Open semifinals, with eventual champion Wawrinka getting the better of him.The London loss, though, puts Wawrinka in a difficult spot when he faces Cilic in the evening match (3 p.m. ET on WatchESPN). Theyre both 0-1, and the loser is in deep, deep trouble.I was expecting a good match, Wawrinka said of his meeting with Nishikori. Didnt happen today. Not the first time that I lose the first match here. Last year, I lost against Rafa, really bad match.Im sure I still have something inside me to play some great tennis before the end of the year, so Im going to try everything for that in the next match.While Wawrinka will finish the year as the top-ranked Swiss player for the first time, you have to feel for him. In three previous appearances in London, he was 6-6 -- with two losses each against Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. With the latter two sitting this one out and Djokovic in the other group, Wawrinka seemed to have a reasonable path to reach the semifinals.Cilic, meanwhile, needs to quickly ramp up his game. The 28-year-old from Croatia immediately forced two break points in his first match against Murray but lost the opening game -- and his subsequent serve.Obviously [its] tougher to start straightaway with matches like these against the best guys. Im not so used to it, Cilic said afterward. Thats something I guess quite new for me. Most of the tournaments Im playing them third, fourth round at least.Cilic is 0-4 in year-end play after going 0-3 in his 2014 debut. Both he and Wawrinka are US Open champions, but one of them could be looking at the end of his season. Kevin Durant Shoes Clearance . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Kd Shoes On Sale . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. http://www.cheapkdshoes.net/ . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Cheap Kd Shoes .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Kd Shoes Mens Sale . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. OKLAHOMA CITY -- There were few indications before August that Russell Westbrook would be so willing to be the hero downtrodden Thunder fans needed.For years, the sometimes combustible Westbrook toiled in Kevin Durants shadow. He often was viewed as the talented, selfish player who was as likely to get in Durants way as he was to make a winning play. His flashy style seemed at odds with small-market Oklahoma City so when Durant, who seemingly was a better fit in OKC, left for rival Golden State, fear that Westbrook would bolt for a larger market increased.He didnt. He chose to re-sign with the Thunder and now that he has answered the call, its time to deliver.We know a few things about Russell at this point, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. Hes going to bring his lunch pail every day. Hes going to compete. Hes going to inspire. Hes going to show great conviction and courage to his teammates, to the city, to the organization. And from there, we have to figure out how that comes together.That trek begins Wednesday in Philadelphia when Oklahoma City officially tips off the post-Durant era in its season opener against the 76ers.Westbrook is now the unquestioned leader of the Thunder and player folks behind the scenes knew -- the thoughtful, humble, giving man -- has more readily come to the surface. He has gone to great lengths to connect with Thunder fans in recent months.Among other things, he unveiled his new line of True Religion clothing near downtown Oklahoma City and he attended an Oklahoma home football game against Louisiana-Monroe wearing a custom-made Sooners jersey. When he was introduced to the crowd before the Thunders preseason home opener, he got the kinds of cheers normally reserved for a return from injury.Westbrook seems more at ease on the court, too. His preseason play seemed more effortless than electric, with an occasional flourish.I want the team to play how they want to play, Westbrook said. I mean, its not totally up to me how we play. You have to adjust to the team you have and adjust oon a night-in, night-out basis on how you want to play.dddddddddddd You want to play fast some nights and you want to play slow. I think it depends on the game, on the situation, who is on the floor.He is poised to put up astronomical numbers this season as he tries to keep the Thunder among the NBA elite.Last season Westbrook averaged 23.5 points and career highs of 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He posted 18 triple-doubles, the most for a player since Magic Johnson had 18 during the 1981-82 season. The two-time All-Star MVP and former scoring champion could do more damage without Durant, but the Thunder dont want too much pressure on him.I think we have to be able to play in a way thats not just relying on him to do everything and create every single shot, whether its him making the shot or making the play for another guy, Thunder forward Nick Collison said.Westbrook already has left an impression on his new backcourt mate Victor Oladipo, who was acquired in the trade that sent defensive enforcer Serge Ibaka to Orlando.After working with Russ, I can see the intensity in how serious he was about his craft, Oladipo said. But one thing that I realized that after guarding him for three years -- I can see why hes so effective at what he does. I definitely stole that from him, and Im going to take it and run as fast as I can with it.How Oladipo and the rest of the Thunder do in keeping up with Russell will determine how much success the team will have. Oklahoma City is no longer considered the team to beat in championship conversations, and thats fine with Westbrook. He said the team embraces the underdog role.I love it, he said. I love it, man. I think its a great challenge, not just for myself, but for our whole team. I think just from talking to the guys throughout the summer, they understand that. They want to win. They want to get better.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . ' ' '