ATP World Tour Finals: Table set for season finale

ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena (File photo)

The suspense lasted long and the players stretched their sinews seeking a coveted place at the table that is laid annually to decorate the best warriors of the year. It had to wait till the dust settled on another brilliant night of tennis inside the Palais Omnisports at Bercy. Milos Raonic did everything in his powers to upend Tomas Berdych, but was left spent after that 20 minute tie-breaker that ended 15-13 in favour of the Czech star. As soon as Berdych completed the formalities of the second set thereafter, we finally had the list of eight that shall showcase their craft inside the O2 Arena next week.

Sport can sometimes deliver a script, stranger than fiction. The men vying for the final piece of silverware shall be Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet. In a heavy coincidence these are exactly the same eight men to have reached the quarterfinals at the ATP World Tour 1000 BNP Paribas Paris Masters.

Nadal’s case was an open and shut deal, for the Majorcan has been stupendous in his return to the tour from injury. The Spaniard just cannot shake off the remnants of glitter on him, having won five Masters Series titles and a couple of Grand Slam titles to add to his grand legacy. Djokovic has suffered from bouts of inconsistency this year, but even then he has reached at least the semi-finals at each of the major tournaments.

The Serbian, in fact, has played the least number of tournaments among the eight men to have punched their own ticket to London. The winner of the Australian Open and finalist at Wimbledon and US Open will look to finish the season on a high by defending his title.

Of course, the withdrawal of Andy Murray has helped Gasquet become the eighth man. But to his credit, the backhand has been singing as it was all those years ago in 2007. And the Frenchman has benefitted from a new found consistency that was missing last season. His run to the semi-finals of the US Open helped strengthen his case for a place among the elite.

Ferrer, as always, thrives on consistency. The Spaniard has enjoyed yet another season of steady performances, having reached at least the quarters at each of the major events. Since his run to the semifinals at Wimbledon, Del Potro has finally begun to suggest that he may have regained the faith he lost somewhere in a twisted wrist.

The Argentine has won four ATP World Tour 500 events this year and holds the promise of being a major threat next year. A little further behind him is Tomas Berdych, the Czech player many believe has a nearly complete game. Unfortunately for all his talent and skill, Berdych has yet to master the corridors of the volatile maze between his ears.

Surprisingly, Berdych has failed to win a single title this year. But appearances in the quarters of Wimbledon and Australian Open and semifinal runs to five Masters Series events bolstered the man’s case for London.

The most curious case of them all though is that of Federer. The genial Swiss has been a marquee presence at the year-end event, but was in real danger of missing out this year. He finally sealed his place with a couple of victories at Paris this week.

When he shows up in London next week, Federer will emulate Ivan Lendl by making his twelfth appearance at the star studded event. Only Andre Agassi with thirteen appearances has presented himself more often at this tournament. But no other player has won the event more than Federer, who has taken home six trophies.

Wawrinka deserves a special mention, for he has shown tremendous heart this year. He has stretched the top men to the limit – his five hour duel with Djokovic in the fourth round of the Australian Open, a typical example of the second ranked Swiss man’s steely effort. The highlight of his season has been his appearance in the last four of the US Open, his first in a Grand Slam event.

Friday will offer a box seat preview to the action next week – with the same men set to battle in the quarters of the Paris Masters. Stay glued and tune in to the action. Diwali, it seems has come early for tennis fans. Sit back and enjoy some spectacular action.