GLOBAL CHICK LOOKS OVER MONDAYS MATCH UPS @ THE BARCLAYS ATP CHAMPIONSHIPS. DAY 2 PREVIEWS – WAWRINKA/BERDYCH & DJOKOVIC/CILIC

Written by: Global Chick on 9th November 2014

GLOBAL CHICK LOOKS OVER MONDAYS MATCH UPS @ THE BARCLAYS ATP CHAMPIONSHIPS. DAY 2 PREVIEWS - WAWRINKA/BERDYCH & DJOKOVIC/CILIC

epa04482688 A general view of the O2 Arena shows Britain's Andy Murray (L) returns to Japan's Kei Nishikori during the ATP World Tour Finals mens tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 09 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Well with a day one result (and indeed a shirt) that was as grey as the conditions on a gloomy Sunday, the crowds will return to the giant umbrella once more to see World No. 1 and new daddy Novak Djokovic against the wonderfully unassuming Marin Cilic.

But before all that, those hardy souls with tickets for both sessions (why? Because that way you stand a chance of seeing someone you really like) the day session kicks off with the dapper Tomas Berdych against Stan Wawrinka.

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland returns the ball to Dominic Thiem of Austria during their second round match at the BNP Paribas 2014 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 29 October 2014. EPA/IAN LANGSDON

Wawrinka will be hungry for a few wins now, having put an end to a bit of a shocking run finally in Paris, albeit for just one match (but it is the W at the end of the day that counts).

Perhaps what will give him some confidence though is that he got his win over Berdych when it really mattered back in the Australian Open semi-final when, let’s face it, many felt that his win over Djokovic the round before was the highlight for the talented but at times mentally fragile Swiss No. 2.

One thing for Stan to hold on to is that he is on a four-match winning streak against the Czech, and this could be a hidden gem of a match if both are on form, and in a season finale one really does expect that (let’s just gloss over the first day match).

But on the subject of day and night sessions, the day sessions at the O2 always do feel a little flat. Perhaps because no-one has had a chance to hit the hostelries to any great measure, or maybe because of the location, cabin fever and the need to win the sprint to the last train home releases the crowd’s inhibitions and there is a load more whooping and hollering going on.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Gael Monfils of France during his round of sixteen match at the BNP Paribas 2014 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 30 October 2014. EPA/YOAN VALAT

So expect a raucous reception for the two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic – he is currently on a 27-match winning streak and is the man to beat this weak, so US Open champion Cilic faces a tough task.

But all is not lost for Cilic, who has gradually gained more ground over Djokovic in their meetings. For all his gangly awkwardness when he clobbers his groundstrokes, he hits hard and clean and should be able to test Novak’s flexibility to the limit when he bends in all directions to make his stunning returns.

Play begins with the doubles at 12pm and singles at 2pm in the day and 6pm and 8pm respectively in the evening (GMT).

Topics: Atp World Tour, Barclays, global chick, Marin Cilic, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

November 9, 2014 at 6:18 pm

GLOBAL CHICK LOOKS OVER MONDAYS MATCH UPS @ THE #BARCLAYS #ATP CHAMPIONSHIPS. DAY 2 PREVIEWS- @stanwawrinka /BERDYCH. http://t.co/WforqUw7SU