BARCLAYS MEN’S ATP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE FROM GLOBAL CHICK

Written by: Global Chick on 14th November 2014

BARCLAYS MEN'S ATP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE FROM GLOBAL CHICK

epa04489951 Marin Cilic of Croatia returns against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their round robin match for the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 14 November 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

The end is nigh as we reach the knock out stages of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals

After what seems like an interminable age, we reach the end of the round-robins and embark on a straight shoot-out for title over the weekend.

By now we have done to death the one-sided matches, the inability of competitors who have proved their worth on every surface imaginable to handle the slick indoor conditions in the tent of doom.

There was no drama on show as Novak Djokovic started Day 6 with another formidable display against Tomas Berdych. Now despite his vehement negative in the press conference, he could still qualify, if Stan Wawrinka is locked in a trunk by Marin Cilic, with only a pair of his yellow trainers for company.

Djokovic was masterful, breaking the Czech in short order in both sets, and Berdych could only admit that on his current form, the new season-ending World No. 1 was just too good.

He said: “He deserves to win. There was no question about it. He just [secured] his spot for the No. 1 player in the world. I think it just show how great he is, how well he played during the whole season.”

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their round robin match for the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London, Britain, 14 November 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Berdych went on to explain: “I find the court very tricky, very challenging. It doesn’t allow you for any mistakes. In my word, I think it’s very slow. You know, for us who wants to hit the serve and try to play aggressive, it’s very difficult. So that’s why we kind of struggle with that.”

It has been, by his own admission, a pretty solid year, but there is sense he feels a little loss, especially in the advent of being turned down by Ivan Lendl, when approached to be his new coach.

There is no doubt in is mind that his game revolves around his clean hitting of the ball – as he highlighted where he felt he needed to improve:

“My main goal definitely is going to be, I would say, fitness and movement. It’s still becoming more and more important in the game.

“No matter how challenging are those guys, it’s always very important how my game is. If I’m able to move well, hitting the ball nice and clean, which goes very well together, then that’s the beginning of the success. So that’s going to be definitely the start‑up.”

The evening session was always going to be a weird one because by the time it rolled around, Stan Wawrinka needed just three games to win. Marin Cilic has had a bit of a torrid time in London, and once Wawrinka broke him to grab his place in the semi-final, that was when Cilic decided to start to play!

Marin Cilic of Croatia serves against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their round robin match for the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 14 November 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Right in the final stages of the group session, Cilic started to find some form, edging out the second set, and leaving Wawrinka grumbling away to himself as he clawed back the break to get things on an even keel.

Finally Cilic’s inconsistencies got the worst of him, with Wawinka breaking him to end this needless pain 6-3 4-6 6-3, when he could ill-afford to be stretched.

The line-up has the potential to be mouth-watering: Djokovic v Nishikori in the day session and Federer v Wawrinka in the evening. The crowds deserve a good show to finish; let’s hope they get one, if not two of them.

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November 14, 2014 at 6:00 pm

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