I tell you what - let's just have him beat Nole then. Easier 

Looking ahead, here are the point totals going into Miami:


#7 Lujbicic 2395 - def. 350
#8 Blake 2310 - def. 125
#9 Haas 2165 (*Djokovic 2210) - def. 35
#10 Djokovic 2060 (*Haas 2165) - def. 20
#11 Nalbandian 1995 - def. 225
#12 Murray 1905 - def. 5
#13 Ancic 1900 - def. 125
#14 Ferrer 1765 - def. 225
#15 Berdych 1715 - def. 35
#16 Gasquet 1590 - def. 5
#17 Youzhny 1515 - def. 5
 
There is going to be a lot less drama about Andy's ranking this tournament.
Ancic is OUT.
Ferrer, Gasquet, and Youzhny need to Win to have any chance to catch Andy
Berdych needs at least a SF to tie Andy
Realistically Andy will not be caught by anyone

Andy starts the tournament with an effective 130 point lead on Nalbandian.  130 is a very convenient number since it requires Nalbandian to make at least a SF to stay ahead of Andy.  If Andy reaches a QF, then Nalbandian must reach the Final.  So, chances are high that Andy will pass Nalbandian.

On the other hand, Andy effectively trails Djokovic by 140 points (if Djokovic loses to Nadal tomorrow), so he's in the same position chasing Djokovic that Nalbandian faces against Andy.  Suprisingly, he effectively trails Lubjicic by 145 points, so his chances of passing Lubjicic are probably better than his chances of passing Djokovic, based on how well Djokovic is playing. 

So, Andy's not going to drop unless something crazy happens.  He's probably going to move up to #11 unless Nalbandian has a great tournament.  He needs a SF to have a chance to pass anyone.

If Djokovic loses tomorrow, then
Andy SF + Djokovic R16  or
Andy F + Djokovic QF or
Andy W + Djokovic F

If Djokovic wins tomorrow, then
Andy F + Djokovic R32 or
Andy W + Djokovic QF

Any way you slice it, it is unlikely, since Djokovic is now a #10 seed (or better) and he is playing well. 

So most likely Murray will gain another place at the end of Miami, and then we have the clay season, where Murray can gain so many points!  At the beginning of the season, everyone of us would have loved to seen Andy in 11th going into the clay season. By wimbledon top 8, for sure!

Just a thought but as Murray's now climbed up to #12 and will be seeded #11 at Miami he should avoid a top #4  player in the 4th Round right? So instead of facing either Federer, Nadal, Roddick or Davydenko he'll get Gonzalez, Robredo, Ljubicic or Blake making it easier for him to progress in my opinion.

 

Can't see anyone taking a set off of Federer next week, he'll be hungry and fresh for Miami, Nadal now seems on cracking form after his win over Roddick but might be tired after reaching the final this week.

I'd rather be in Nadal's half, Davydenko's quarter, face Blake in the 4th round and someone like Calleri in the 3rd.
Nightmare situation would be Federer's half, Roddick's quarter, Gonzalez or Robredo (game doesn't match up well against Tommy) in the 4th and Baghdatis in the 3rd.

Thoughts appreciated.

The most important thing for me is Andy has now bridged the gap from 16-11.

Andy had about 1500 points at the start of the year, he now has about 1900. To be top 10 or better you need 2000 points, possibly a little more.

It's now a matter of time and it will happen. I would bet he could miss from now until Wimbledon and get into the top 10. Anything he picks up now will be massive pluses.

Is he really playing well? What makes you think that? He got to the finals of a MS event by playing a bunch of average players. I think Murray will overtake Nole by the end of Miami because it's unlikely Nole will get given such a huge wad of luck this time.

I believe Andy was and still is in better form than Nole at the moment.