Andy Murrays drive to seize the world No. 1 ranking over the past six months has been a thing of beauty, and Sunday, it got the happy ending it deserved.Murray won the Paris Masters 1000 title with an artful, gritty 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4 win against surprise finalist John Isner.Sometimes after you achieve something big, or something that you maybe didnt expect, it can be quite easy to have a letdown and feel a little bit flat, Murray told the media after the final, a reference to having clinched the No. 1 ranking. I felt really nervous before the match today, and I was happy about that.The win brought closure to a process that breathed new and welcome life into mens tennis in the second half of the year. As recently as June, Novak Djokovics dominance was so comprehensive that pundits were speculating he might complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver did it in 1969. By the end of October, the roar of Murrays progress was like the rumble of a freight train, drowning out all else -- including the question, Whats wrong with Djokovic?Nobody knows the answer to that question, but we do know whats right with Andy Murray.The 29-year-old Scot, who had been humiliated -- theres no other word for it -- by Djokovic at the peak of his powers in so many Grand Slam finals, never gave up. He never settled for the comfort of being a solid, successful also-ran.It was never enough for Murray to be a Big Four afterthought. He still trails Djokovic 24-10 in the head-to-head, and come early February, the deposed Serb might make Murray pay dearly for this moment of insolence. After all, Djokovic battered Murray into submission in the Australian Open final in four of the past six years.But each time Murray got knocked out, he picked himself up off the canvas and came lurching back for more. In the end, it wasnt Murray who went away. It was Djokovic.Djokovic is 3-1 against Murray this year, and that includes wins in the Australian and French Open finals. A skeptic might argue that were it not for a mysterious loss of focus, motivation, or both, on the part of Djokovic, Murray would not have realized his mission. Or you could argue the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were a great boon to Murray, on the grounds that beating two or even three of the Big Four at the same tournament has always been a bridge too far for him.Theres some truth in those theories. But the on-the-ground reality tells a different story. Although Djokovic was busy evolving as a human being and trying to sort out his desires and goals after completing his career Grand Slam at Murrays expense at the French Open, the Scot sucked it up and soldiered on. He was beaten by Djokovic at Roland Garros despite playing some of the best tennis of his life. Instead of becoming discouraged, Murray won the Queens Club, Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.That trio of wins set him up for the big push, which was marred by only one puzzling loss -- his US Open quarterfinal collapse against Kei Nishikori. After that, Murray won three more tournaments on the trot, including the Shanghai Masters 1000, to set himself up for this critical last week in Paris.Murrays final-round wins in recent months, counting backward from Paris to the French Open, were against Isner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Roberto Bautista Agut, Grigor Dimitrov, Juan Martin del Potro and Milos Raonic (twice). His tournament losses were to Nishikori and Cilic. It isnt Murrays fault that Djokovic was unable to make any of the appointments the seedings set up for them.The symbolic value of Murrays win over Isner in Paris is significant, but so is the practical fruit. Murray picked up 400 additional rankings points for winning. They will provide him with a valuable cushion at the ATP World Tour Championships, which begin in London in a weeks time.Thats likely to be helpful to the hard-working new No. 1, who just achieved something he said he maybe didnt expect, but something he surely earned and deserved. Swell Bottle Nz 500ml . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Discount Swell Bottles . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. http://www.swellbottlesnz.com/swell-bottle-marble-nz-sale.html .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. SWell Marble Bottle Nz . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Swell Bottle 17 Oz Sale .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play.Chelsea moved to within a point of the Premier League summit with their impressive 2-0 win over Southampton on Super Sunday. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were on target as Antonio Contes side clinched a fourth consecutive Premier League victory at St Marys Stadium.The Blues are emerging as serious title contenders. Here, we look at some of the reasons why they could go the distance... The system worksA change of formation has been the catalyst for Chelseas recent improvement. Since switching from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3 after their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the Blues have won all four of their Premier League games without conceding a goal.Its the system Conte has used throughout his coaching career, and its taken no time for Chelseas players to adapt. Defensively, the back three of Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta are afforded plenty of protection by Nemanja Matic and NGolo Kante, and theres added support from wing-backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses. Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness discuss how Chelseas players have bought into Antonio Contes coaching methods Weve worked hard on the shape the managers brought and were getting the rewards, said Cahill after Sundays victory. Opponents are struggling to create openings against Chelseas packed defensive ranks. Southampton only mustered one shot on target at St Marys, and the run of four consecutive clean sheets highlights Chelseas new-found solidity.Contes got them well-drilled, said Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness. They sit in and defend their box. They have a lot of players who are good at defending in the air and on the ground.The new system has also unlocked Chelseas attacking potential. The Blues are lethal on the break and clinical in front of goal. They beat Manchester United 4-0 despite having just 43.9 per cent of possession, and they recorded a similar figure against Southampton. Souness described their first-half display at St Marys as a masterclass in counter-attacking football. Southampton wont be the last team who struggle to contain them. Conte lauds Chelsea work ethic Antonio Conte hailed his sides work ethic against Southampton. Hazard back to his bestHazard has been the biggest beneficiary of the change of formation. The Belgian grew disillusioned on the left flank last season, but he has been given licence to roam in the new system and doesnt have to worry about defensive responsibilities. According to Opta, his average position has been even more advanced than Costas in three of Chelseas last four games.Hazard is focusing on what he does best. His opener was brilliantly taken, and he has now scored more goals in 10 games (five) than he managed in 31 appearances last season. He was named man of the match for the second consecutive match after his starring role in last weeks thrashing of Manchester United, and this was arguably an even better performance. Eden Hazard shone at St Marys, scoring one and setting up another He combined brilliantly with Costa throughout, and his assist for the Spaniards goal was one of five chances he created across the 90 minutes. Hazard was a constant threat. Southamptons defenders were reduced to fouling him more often than any other player, and Gary Neville was impressed by some of the positions he took up in central areas.Its impossible for a right-back to go there, its impossible for a centre-back to come out, and its a nightmare for a midfield player to think about him, Neville said. Hes just free and released. Hes not stuck out on the left-hand side. Hes there and hes always got five yards of space.Hazard lost his way last season, but the 2014/15 Player of the Year is back to his old self under Conte, and Chelsea are feeling the benefits. When he plays like this, few players in the Premier League can match him. Conte has the smile and snarl Antonio Conte is striking the right balance with his players, says Jamie Redknapp.dddddddddddd Clinical CostaCosta is another player who struggled to replicate his 2014/15 form last season, but, like Hazard, he is back with a vengeance under Conte. The 28-year-olds brilliant second-half strike was his eighth Premier League goal of the season, putting him top of the scoring charts ahead of Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku.Hes a brilliant player to have in your team when hes playing like today, said Neville in the Sky Sports commentary box. Hes a handful up front, and he defended three or four balls out of his own six yard box as well.Its quite the transformation from last season. Costa is leading the line with tireless intensity again, and hes playing with confidence too. He has hit the target with 71 per cent of his shots compared to 53 per cent last season, and his conversion rate is up from 23 per cent to 33 per cent. He left the pitch to loud cries of Diego, Diego, Diego from the away end at St Marys. Costa is back and hes lifting Chelsea. Costa celebrates after scoring his sides second goal The Kante-Matic partnershipEvery title-winning side needs a strong central midfield pairing and NGolo Kante and Nemanja Matic are certainly providing it for Chelsea. Kante was a force of nature in front of Leicesters back four last season, and hes now producing a similar level of performance for his new team.He made more than twice as many interceptions (seven) as any other player on the pitch against Southampton, and he impressed with the ball, too, finding a team-mate with 92.2 per cent of his passes - a higher accuracy rate than any of his team-mates. It was a performance in keeping with his recent form. Southampton 0-2 Chelsea highlights Kante has injected energy and dynamism into Chelseas central midfield, and Matic has impressed alongside him. The Serb struggled last season, but he is playing with authority again now, taking it in turns with Kante to run from box-to-box. There was one particularly impressive moment in the first half when he robbed Steven Davis high up the pitch before sending Costa through on goal.Chelseas powerful pairing have dominated the midfield in each of Chelseas last four games. Its bad news for Cesc Fabregas, but Conte will be hoping it continues.No European commitmentsThere were few positives to take from Chelseas 10th-placed finish last year, but not having to juggle European commitments this season could help their cause. The Blues new playing style demands high-intensity (they have outrun their opponents in each of their last three games) so the lighter load is especially beneficial. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. It also gives Conte more time on the training ground with his players. If you ask me if I prefer this situation, I dont, because Chelsea must be in this competition, he said back in August. But because we are not, I will have a whole week to train with my players. That gives me a chance to work with them more compared to other managers in previous seasons.The previous weekend of Premier League football was a good example of what can happen. Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham all failed to win after their midweek exertions in the Champions League, while Chelsea and Liverpool beat Manchester United and West Brom respectively after an uninterrupted schedule. Chelsea stand to benefit from a clearer fixture schedule than their rivals Also See: Conte lauds Chelsea work ethic Conte has the snarl and smile ' ' '