World Tour Finals: Berdych tames US Open Champion Cilic

After losing to Wawrinka, Czech registers straight-sets win in second match

LONDON: Tomas Berdych thrashed US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday to remain in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals.

Czech world number seven Berdych had been routed by Stan Wawrinka in his opening match at London's O2 Arena, but he bounced back in style and could qualify for the last four with a victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic in his final Group A tie tomorrow.

"I think today was more about fighting and getting through the match," said Berdych. "It's not my first year. I have the experience of losing the first match in the past and I know how to come back. I think that was the biggest difference.”

Quizzed during an on-court interview about the daunting task of facing world number one Djokovic, Berdych jokingly asked the crowd, "Any tips? I will need some. I just want to try to bring my best tennis and we'll see what happens. I hope I can have a great match."

Cilic's second straight-sets defeat at the season-ending event means the Croatian has no chance of qualifying after winning just six games in his two matches.

The 26-year-old made a whopping 30 unforced errors over the course of a woeful 74-minute meltdown and he must be counting down the days until he can leave the English capital.

Murray happy to still be in contention

Andy Murray could beat Roger Federer today and crash out of the ATP World Tour Finals or lose and still go through to the semi-finals — such is the conundrum he faces.

However, the 27-year-old home favourite is glad to still be in contention after Tuesday's 6-3, 7-5 defeat of big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic.

That victory, following his defeat by Kei Nishikori in Group B on Sunday, means all scenarios are possible going into the final round-robin matches, although a straight-sets win for world number six Murray would leave him in good shape.

"Well, I think there's a very good chance that he [Federer] is going to go through regardless of the results," said Murray ahead of his 23rd career meeting with the Swiss, who is on top of Group B after two comfortable victories.

"For me, it depends on the winner of the Nishikori-Raonic match [today].

Murray and Federer are locked at 11-11 in head-to-head clashes, although Federer has won all three of their meetings at the Tour Finals since it moved to London's O2 Arena.

"It will obviously be a very difficult match," said Murray. "But it will be an exciting match; a good one to be a part of.

"Hopefully, I can get through the group and keep going. If not, playing against Roger is a good way for me to finish the year, as well.”

 

 

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