ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer gets a relatively tough draw in the season finale
The draw for the season-ending ATP tour finals in London is out. The tournament is scheduled to take place between the 9th and 16th November in London. The players, who have qualified for the tournament have been split into two groups of four players each.
Group A sees Defending champion Novak Djokovic taking on 2014 Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and reigning US Open Champion Marin Cilic.
#FinalShowdown Group A: @DjokerNole, @stanwawrinka, @tomasberdych, @cilic_marin. http://t.co/NpFdwGrbeK #atp pic.twitter.com/AATPyyExP2
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 3, 2014
Group B pits World No. 2 Roger Federer against 2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori, Andy Murray and runner-up at the recently concluded Paris Masters Milos Raonic.
#FinalShowdown Group B: @rogerfederer, @keinishikori, @andy_murray, @milosraonic. http://t.co/NpFdwGrbeK #atp pic.twitter.com/9lMnFDYtmF
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 3, 2014
The first day will see two group B matches, with Murray squaring up against Nishikori, followed by Federer’s clash with Raonic. It will be Wawrinka to start things off on Monday against Berdych, while top seed Djokovic will be in action against Cilic in the evening session.
The top two players from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, based upon the number of wins secured. However, if needed, it can also boil down to the percentage of games won and world rankings, if a deadlock is reached.
Interesting battles on the cards
An interesting match-up in Group B could be between Federer and Murray.The 17-time Grand Slam champion will be looking to win his 7th ATP tour finals.
US open champion Marin Cilic, for whom, this will be the first experience to play in the season finale, has said that he is a bit nervous heading into the tournament.
"It is going to be very difficult but very exciting.I hope it is going to be an absolutely amazing experience”. he said.
"I have watched it on TV for so many years so it is going to be very exciting, especially knowing it's played in front of full crowd, with big entertainment ”. the Croatian said.
"Any of the matches could be a Grand Slam final so it is satisfying to play in it." he added.