Andy Murray crowned world number one after Milos Raonic withdraws

ByCarrie Dunn

Updated 05/11/2016 at 18:28 GMT

Andy Murray has been crowned world number one after Milos Raonic withdrew from their semi-final in Paris, leaving his route clear to the final.

Murray needed to reach the final at the BNP Paribas Masters in order to reach the number one spot after Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the quarter-finals.

He was all set to face Raonic in the second of the two semi-finals - but the Canadian gave a press conference shortly before they were due on court to confirm that he would be withdrawing through injury.

Paris Masters

Andy Murray is Britain's greatest, an inspirational man who refused to accept failure as his fate

05/11/2016 at 23:14

"I feel like getting to number one it wasn't about this week. Or about last week...It's been many years of work to get here," said Murray.

Murray: I've never had such a consistent year

"Most satisfying thing is it's been such a difficult thing to do in my career."

Raonic said that he had a quad tear, diagnosed on Saturday morning after a series of tests.

"Yesterday during the first set I started feeling some pain in my leg," he explained. "This morning I had trouble waking up and getting out of bed."

His absence handed Murray a walkover - and the world number one slot, the first British man ever to reach that ranking since the computerised system was introduced.

Murray will now face John Isner in the final of the event on Sunday after the American beat Marin Cilic 6-4 6-3.

Paris Masters

Murray proud to reach number one in era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

05/11/2016 at 18:30

Paris Masters

Raonic sets up Murray clash as Thiem qualifies for London

05/11/2016 at 00:47

Paris Masters

Nervy Murray on brink of history after Berdych win

05/11/2016 at 09:27