Day 5: Djokovic v Berdych Tennis: World Tour Finals

In this game of strategy and uncertainties, the permutations are

complex. The supreme serve it takes a double victory in to his ultimate

gripping account of. He is in control of the board. -- the

Supreme Serbian. A win would massively strengthened the

ambitions of the Czech to stay in play. A straight sets win for

Britain's best would provide the answer to one semi-final riddle.

Fate lies out of hands of the flamboyant Frenchman who needs

something miraculous to puzzle his way back into contention.

For a place in the semi-finals today, actions will speak louder

than words. But first, let's have a few words from Tim and Andrew.

There are 10 mathematical permutations of what can happen in

today's groups. So if you both take five... Ladies, for first! I would

not do that to anybody sitting at home. But if we look at the group

and this is the action we have got on today. We have Djokovic coming

up against Tomas Berdych and then Andy Murray takes on Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga. Having done my homework, it looks as if Djokovic wins this

afternoon, Murray will only have to win one set. If Berdych wins in

straight sets, it is a whole different ball-game. The only

scenario of the 10 out there, that would see Djokovic, who sits at the

top of this group, as the dominant force, the only way he would not go

This is good news Andy Murray. Djokovic has to go out there and

get the win. Yes. Andy Murray loved playing Tsonga and Eddie had proved

that. But it also approved Djokovic quite explained Berdych as well.

Yes. When you look at this, this is the 12th time they have played and

it is 10-1-Djokovic. Berdych has only ever won on grass. I think

from a playing point of view, all four guys are not going to be

thinking about the consequences. They have to go out and focus on

their match and play as well as they can because it is against the

other top players and they want a win. If they can do that, they can

worry about ifs buts later. Murray will be thinking, I just have to go

out and do my job. He has got an evening match having had two

afternoon matches. So people have He will know what he has to go out

and do. He has to go out and play and win. It's Tsonga has not been

at his best in these Championships. Yes, after his performance he

played fantastic tennis last year. I think he has lost his way a bit

and it is interesting to see, I was speaking to Roger yesterday and he

is very excited because he knows his protege has got a lot of shots

and weapons in his game but I do not think he is necessarily using

them well. But in this match against Murray, he will want to try

to go out and put on a performance and still with a very small hope

and chance that he could get through to the semi-finals.

Murray as to forget what happened against Djokovic and come out and

play well. Actually, there was a lot to be gained from that

performance, a lot to be confident about. And he played very, very

well in that match. He knows he has two, three points in that match

away from another victory against Djokovic. I love it when they play

against each other and I would love to play that again. But greatest

respect to Federer, whom I always love watching. I thought Murray

played well. Apart from maybe five minutes where he lacked

concentration in the third set. He was present and correct all the way

through. He just lost. Of those Djokovic-Murray matches are pouring

well for a big fight in the future. -- are brewing. He will need to up

his game in the latter stages. It is a great sign in sport when a

team can win when they are not playing their best, or a player,

and I had so much respect for David forever. He had a lot of

opportunities yesterday and I think he will be frustrated he could not

take advantage of that. -- for David Ferrer. Federer needed to

raise his game in the tie-break and his serve really helped him out. He

will be pleased to have got through and he will be looking to improve

on that performance. He is through to the semi-finals but then he

plays Del Potro. Del Potro beat and a couple of weeks ago said he will

be looking to put that record straight. And give himself the best

possibility in the semi-finals. is funny - ya about Federer. He is

not at his best but he beat a player in great form. It is

incredible how many different ways he can come at you. Like a cat!

Just all clawsbob. He knows he will go and beat Ferrer. It is

interesting, Federer and Ferrer the only over 30s here. Agassi was the

only over 30 he has ever lost 2, Federer. He just rewrite the record

books every time he takes to the court. He won't let him in! On that

tour they changed the rules. He can stay here for a few more years!

can get everybody else who has retired if it carries on like this!

The just to let you know, a doubles match is going on behind us. If we

can take you back to last night and show you what happened. In the

afternoon, Federer went through and in the evening, Del Potro are

comfortably defeated 6-0, 6-4, Janko Tipsarevic, who has been

struggling from the illness. He caught a virus in Paris and has not

been at his best at this tournament. And so 6-0, 6-4 in just over an

hour, and if Del Potro goes through. It keeps his hopes up. But of

course, then he has to play Federer tomorrow afternoon. This is how

He is always a dangerous player, isn't he? Yes. You do not have that

many opportunities to be proactive and had the points. His game has

gone from strength to strength. He beat Federer earlier and I think he

will write his chances. It was good for him to win that match so

comfortably against Tipsarevic and it sets him up nicely for a

challenge against Federer. match took only just over an hour

and I felt a bit sorry for the crowd it had not gone on a bit

longer, so he decided to get one of his friends from the crowd here,

and you might recognise him. He did not look too keen to get out! I

have to say! But Juan Martin was not having any of it. He said, come

on, come out. If pretty good on the ball. The background looked good.

When Del Potro was asked, how good a tennis player is he? He said, he

is a good football player! He is just saying, come on. We have

played tennis, now I am going to get my own back! He takes it out of

the air, but sit a way. See, that is what I can do! The -- puts it

away. There is a boat that goes from Westminster Pier that brings

the players and dignitaries here. You probably get one of those

tickets. I have mean -- I have never seen one of those! To and

also now for Del Potro, it is Federer, and of course, they met

Federer has a very good winning record against Del Potro. He beat

him in the final of the US Open a few years ago on a very similar

service to this, so with Del Potro having lost one and won one, he

knows he has a good chance. It is a very similar situation to today.

Having beaten Federer two weeks ago in a final... Yes. Federer had made

Del Potro's life and absolute misery. I think that game was 17-15.

There were several matches this year and Del Potro has been playing

this catch-up game since the US Open in 2009, where he beat Federer

two sets to nine. He has been building up and up and I think he

is still improving. His serve has been getting back much more

effective. And from the back of the court, nobody wants to play him. He

can hit through any body. And his net game is getting tidier and

tidier every month. So it will be interesting to watch him in the

next few years. He can join the elite. He can. He is 6 ft 6 but he

is improving his movement all the time, getting stronger, so it is

harder for players to get him on the defensive. If you are playing

Del Potro you want to use the angles, get him out wide and keep

the ball Low, but he can get into position are a bit quicker now and

be the one who dictates the point. He is dangerous and I don't think

there are many who enjoy playing him. Just to keep you up-to-date,

the doubles match behind me has gone into a tie-break. To I'm

afraid we do not have any cameras to show you the doubles match. But

this what happens. The doubles finals are here as well. The crowds

are loving Jonathan Marray. It is a fantastic platform and I think

sometimes the double players don't get the exposure they deserve. They

are coming here to an unbelievable stadium and pray into 17,500 people,

an amazing platform. -- playing to. Tobago all the way through and win

the title and come out and I think they have only played twice since

Wimbledon. -- to play all the way through. It is good for them to see

how it is done by the very best. They have played eight matches

since Wimbledon because Freddie Starr wants to be a singles player.

Now... -- Freddie Evans still wants to be. You should go out and say,

you can always come back to the singles. Maybe I am being foolish

and unambitious. Maybe that has been my problem all along! But when

you're a Wimbledon champions and you're in the semi-finals here

already, you should just concentrate on it because you are

making a great living. In his defence, Pat Cash saw him play

singles and said he was an immense talent who could make a great

living on the singles court. I am not sure I would agree with him

there. Frederik Nielsen is 29. Sometimes those breakthroughs, but

later for some than others but at 29, if you are ranked 370 in the

world you have got to sort of start questioning the previous 10 years.

On the other side of the coin, if you why a Wimbledon champion in

doubles, you have the opportunities to play all v other Grand Slams. --

if you are a Wimbledon champion. Nothing wrong with that. It is a

pretty low level compared to what this pair can play. He said, I

would not be being honest to myself if I didn't give my for a -- give

myself a chance to see if I can be a singles player. Let's show you

the last bit of this match. It absolutely bought the house down.

An incredible story. Maybe he will start to change his mind. And what

he year they have had. The points they are growing... Absolutely. I

hate to be nursery about this and it is all very well when you have

the bright lights and big city. -- to be mercenary. You can actually

go and get a cheque that pays some of the bills at the end of this,

whereas if you are playing in the challenges, you don't make anything

substantial. If you make 70, �80,000 over the course of the year,

which you have to take taxes and expenses out of, you have done OK.

It is difficult. Break-even is a challenge at Challenger level. And

here he is enjoying this. And here we are enjoying that as well. Just

talking about Del Potro and his wrist injury. When you come back

and have had such a dangerous and risky injury, do you really have

the confidence in it? You have to. You have to regain that confidence.

I am pretty sure of Del Potro it was his left wrist so it is when he

is hitting the two-handed backhand that there are many of these

players who have had that problem. It is difficult because it is such

a small tendon and he doesn't get a grip of surprise and it takes a

long time to recover. -- it doesn't have a great blood supply. You have

to regain the confidence mentally that when you hit the shots it is

not going to hurt so you can stand out there for four, five hours and

hit them. To be at that level and have won a Grand Slam and into miss

a whole year and start again. It adds to what is a fantastic

achievement and if he stays injury- free I am sure he will be around

for a long time to come. Yes, a bit like Tsonga, they are just below

the top form. And Tomas Berdych. They have knocked on the door a lot,

these guys. Tsonga in the Australian final in 2008. There is

something just so rock-solid back the top four, you just can't break

in. They have got their witnesses. Tomas Berdych misses now and again,

so does Tsonga. They have changed the face of the game, those top

four. Yes, and credit to them. Over the last few months, there quite a

bit better than the others. You might get Tsonga and Berdych

beating them on occasion but through the calendar year,. They

are accumulating, they are quite substantially ahead. -- the points

they are accumulating. So they can get into that. If and we never talk

about David Ferrer, even though he is number five in the world. Can he

still overtake Rafa Nadal? He can if he wins the tournament here,

because you would just overtaken, because obviously Federer cannot

move up because you won last year. And with Murray, even if he wins,

he cannot take over. I think you could almost make a good case for

David Ferrer being a player of the year, because although Djokovic is

player of the year and each of the others won a Grand Slam, Ferrer won

7 other tournaments and it is an unbelievable achievement. Talk

about maximising your potential. He is committed to his training, his

matches. It is phenomenal. There are so many players in this country

who could learn a lot from the way he has applied himself to this game.

He is just under 30 and he has had his best here. -- over 30. I bet

you he cuts those other players down. He never knows how to lose.

He never reacts to anything. I am not sure you can train that. You

are born with that sort of placid way of competing but it is

admirable. He is amazing. Yes, and as far as the Czech Republic is

going, Berdych has got the cup and he and his team-mates will be

leading back. And you remember that match against the tallest Czech of

the more! -- of them all! nickname is the Iron man, David

Ferrer, and he very much is. He has taken down over 13 ft of tennis

player in a few days with just the Eurostar between them! Key turns up

and does the job. And he was very funny afterwards when he was

interviewed on court. Mark Petchey was saying, what were you going to

do with Federer in your next match? And he said, no idea! Literally!

Finally in this deadlock, of the Masters 1,000 series, the

stranglehold was over with that victory by an Ferrer. There is a

big story bring about the prize money because there was a board

meeting when the money was split and they decided not to allow the

tournament director to put in more money. �500,000 was the extra prize

money for the Men's Singles. And I am sure we the Gaulle prize money

issues there would have been money going into the women's game. If --

with the extra prize-money. It is a difficult decision. Stand because

they have been a massive focal point about the prize money and

dive for one was part of the team at Wimbledon to fly out to Shanghai

and meet with the players. -- and I for one. You have already seen what

the Australian Open has done. They have raised the prize money by 15%

next year and given a plan for the next few years. The players are

pleased with that and rightly so. The game is the best it has ever

been. You have Larry Ellison, one of the richest men in the world,

who is trying to invest more money and the ATP have said no. They have

said no because last year they put money into it and they increased

the money from the quarter-finals onwards but now they want increase

the money from the third-round downwards, and that is what is

against the roles. One thing they wanted was the million dollars to

the winner. To give the event even more cachet than it already has.

That was fine but the distribution going back and the top four, who

makes so much money, were very good last year and were good at pushing

the tournament directors and the sponsors to increase the money from

the quarter-finals back to the first round so more people could

make a better living because they did not like the distribution. I

thought that was very generous. Along comes this bloke who says, I

would fight to distribute more money to those guys who are losing

first, second, third rounds, and it is not easy to get into these

tournaments, it is rejected. As a PR thing it does not work at all.

It needs some explanation. Because proper journalists are not going to

go away, they are going to stay and ask why. What does it mean for the

other Masters Series if they do not have that prize money to put in?

Does it make it to two-tier system? Well, people might say, if India is

upping the prize-money, that might do it, but you want the ones who

can push the boundaries to do that so it forces the others to follow

suit. And for the players, I am sure they will be looking saying,

hang on, there is an opportunity for us to compete for more prize-

money and we are asking for more in the Grand Slams and then on our own

tour we have rejected it. So I am sure it is not the last we have

heard of it. But these problems do come and go and we are approaching

the silly season, where there is not enough tennis to a report on.

The partnerships are changing around so everything changes at

this time of the year. Somebody has come along who is extremely wealthy,

Larry, who owned Oracle. He said he wanted to put in more money and a

tour is rejecting it. It is a nice problem to have but there needs to

be transparency. -- and the Talk is rejecting. The players are very

much more involved than they have ever been. Who are the players you

are having to face and pitched too? Federer is the President of the

Player Council. They were present in Shanghai but obviously pitched

separately and there was Federer, Gilles Simon, some of the doubles

players, the door staff, the chief executive, and I think it was about

12 games three, so we were slightly are numbered. -- the door staff.

Very tough. We have got the singles, not very soon but we are going to

show you Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, because he has been out having a

bit of fun with the ball kids here, and also these two landladies from

France who came over to join the squad of 30 in London. If -- these

two young at ladies. It came down to 100 and they came along and then

the final 28. Yes, 20 it from the UK and two from France. It is a

great discipline to be part of. was giving them a few tips about

when to bring their towel and when not to, so he had a great time.

think 28 years, when I was in a ballboy, I had the distinct

pleasure of being a ballboy for Mr Castle! It was great. As a tennis

fan growing up, you always want to be a part of the big tournaments.

What did you learn from watching me play? Probably not... How to swear

correctly! I don't know whether I was good to them or not. He was 14,

he was so cute. Still built like this, a little thing. And we took

him along and Tim was out ballboy. He drinks on. -- hitting it. Let's

know hear from one of the game's greatest entertainers.

How big an event is this tournament for you? For me it is like a reward

So it is maybe a bit different from the other tournaments. I have some

good memories from London. I like to play London. I had this

relationship will continue. Obviously the Wimbledon crowds

enjoyed your gob -- appearances over the years but also here you

have the music and lights. Do you like that about the event?

course. I like it. It's grid for tennis. And it is part of your

style as well. You are known as the showman and having a bit of a dance

at the end of your matches when you win. Yes. Tennis is still a game.

You know, we have to entertain the crowds and that is what I tried to

do and sometimes I am not entertaining with my tennis! I

tried to entertain with other things! He does have such a great

attitude to the games. And the He will be on-court... They may not

love him too much in the O2 Arena tonight because he is against Andy

Murray! We're just waiting now, a couple of minutes away, Djokovic

against Tomas Berdych. Basically, Djokovic and Murray need to win to

go through to the semi-finals but if Djokovic wins just one set,

Murray only has to win a set this evening to go through. They are

overwhelming favourites to do that. British tennis fans, Murray tennis

fans, we want Djokovic to win, though if Djokovic wins, Murray

cannot win the group. So he will play Federer in the semi-finals!

Ooh! Exactly! We will have what we are given. Co he still doesn't have

a number two. Not yet. There is still a very big void behind Andy

Murray but there's a group of 17, 18-year-olds who are showing

promising signs and I would not say that unless I really have the

belief in them. We have said that before. But what about Josh

Goodall? Dan Evans? I don't think Dan Evans is showing the consistent

application. Whereas if you look at Liam Broady, Lib Banbridge, as a

group of players they have shown promising signs. Luke is still just

17 and he won his futures event. I did not win one of those until I

was probably 20. He has got a lot of work ahead of him. They all have.

But it is have -- healthy competition. They will have good

results and one will do better than the others, and the others will

look at it and say, if he can do that, maybe I can do that. Maybe

eight will might be too early but hopefully they can kick on and

support Murray, because the Davis Cup is pretty tough. Playing five

sets and in doubles and singles on the Sunday. If we can get another

couple of genuine singles players the Davis Cup takes on a whole

different meaning. A key to get into the World Group, they need to

announce... If their win against Russia, against Davydenko...

are relying on Murray playing two matches. It is a tricky one. Even

with Murray and a doubles player, we can win that. And then we have a

world player of in September. If Murray is not there, we have a very

slim chance. I am sure that will be announced a little later on. Murray

is worrying about a night and getting through the semi-finals.

This afternoon, Djokovic against Berdych, and we mentioned head-to-

head is not in his favour. He has never beaten him indoors on a hard

court. The only victory came at Wimbledon, not a bad place to do

it!, off the victory of -- over Berdych has the tools to be very

Berdych has the tools to be very dangerous. He hits the ball

incredibly flat, so when he is on his game, he is very dangerous, but

his margins are very small. If he is slightly off and you think of

Djokovic's athletic ability and his ability to stay in the rallies, he

will not make too many balls. But Berdych has to go out there, he has

nothing to lose, see what happens. He had a match point in this have

been at this event last year against Djokovic, so you never know.

-- in this arena. The heartbeat rings out around the O2 Arena, the

build-up to this match, a huge match for Tomas Berdych, he needs

to win it in straight sets to keep his hopes alive of going through to

the semi-final and that is a tall order against the world No. 1. But

Berdych has been consistent, this is his third year finishing inside

the top 10 and Annie Ivan Lendl has achieved that. -- Only. He has been

the man from the Czech Republic and he will lead them through to the

Davis Cup final next weekend. So Berdych against Djokovic,

Djokovic's 5th appearance in these finals and he is going for his 73rd

match winner of 2012. -- fifth. number six player in the world,

from the Czech Republic, Tomas Berdych.

three ATP World Tour finals this season, the world No. 1, Novak

Djokovic! players on court, a huge ovation

for Novak Djokovic. His last match here, an absolute classic. And

Andrew Castle has found something in the permutations. Novak Djokovic

takes to the court with the likelihood that he will win the

group, know all -- number one for the second year in a row, but it is

quite possible that he would go through from the group, it is

possible that he would qualify from the group, and it seems

inconceivable. So Tomas Berdych needs to win in two? If he beats

Djokovic in two sets and then Murray beats HE SINGS "La Prima

Murray beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in two sets, he wins the group and

Berdych comes second. We need acceleration straight away from

Berdych, he knows he can't fool around and he could come out and

see what goes on. He has nothing to lose, he has had a great year, the

Davis Cup coming up and maybe Djokovic is feeling the pressure.

And Berdych certainly knows how to come out fast. He certainly does,

when he is on his game and look at the size of him, such a big

wingspan and he can generate so much power. And he doesn't play

with much spin, so the ball is really flying of the court. You

have to hope it is one of those days when all of those shots go in.

Two challenges, one more in the tie-break. Any Questions? No. What

you call the toss, please? Good elevation of height. Tales. --

tails. Have your picture, they were very keen to run off! Task of the

these matches, you don't even need the spin of the coin, because you

know Federer is going to rest -- serve and do you know Murray is

going to recede. They have their set play, if you like. -- received.

He would just want to get one game ahead, won't he? The first game can

often be playing yourself in. always the very best returners,

they feel like they can be on to the serve straight away if the

survey is a little slow picking up, and they might be able to get the

early break. Agassi always returned serve, Murray always returns sir.

Federer feels that he is made to play for the first point and get

his nose in front and put pressure on with the score later in the set.

Look at the way this guy strokes the ball. If you watch him in real

life, I hope it comes through on the TV screen, the balance and the

poise and the use of the power from the ground, a it is so balanced. I

don't think I have seen anybody so difficult to knock off balance.

Agassi was the great one from the previous generation, this guy

brings that every single time as well. And he is double-jointed,

seemingly, in every regard. And he is really greedy for more, I get

the feeling, which is a good thing. He is fascinating right there, the

best player in the world right now. In the absence of Nadal, this is

the guy. And having had the year he had last year when he was so

dominant, winning three Grand Slams and the world No. 1 right the way

through, it was immense for him to come back and finish this year as

world No. 1, because it is easy to have a reaction to that. Very much

so. I think there were a lot of people who were wondering how he

would back up his 2011 season, because he didn't lose a match

until the semi-finals of the French, he had won everything up to that

point, around 40 magistrate. Clearly the best player. How would

he respond? -- 40 matches straight. He got off to the best start by

winning the Australian Open. We had a five-hour match with Murray in

the semis and the needy six hours with a Nadal in the final, and the

rankings do not lie, he thoroughly deserves to be the top player in

the rankings. My biggest hope for 2013 is that that Al-Khums back

into the equation. He hasn't played for six months -- Nadal. He has

obviously had some big problems with his knees and hopefully, with

sufficient rest, he will be back ready and I think with this quartet,

it makes the game as good as he hit has -- it has ever been. They are

for something with game and personality. This guy has got to

come out blasting and he has got to try and find a way, he has got to

serve well. Djokovic's return, you can't give him a second serve.

has to look to keep his first serve percentage I put the cat hit in the

corners, and I am not sure he will serve a massive amount of Acis --

baseds, but if he can set up the point with his first, he can

dominate with his forehand. And Don Djokovic harsh facts serve, he has

got to be aggressive, take the ball early -- and on Djokovic's serve.

The good thing he has beaten him once. That was over 5 as well, and

even greater victory -- over five sets. He has that the right mindset.

Djokovic more than any other player, more balls are going to come back.

He is going to have to be prepared to play two or three more shots

every rally. Very macho, he has to be prepared to go that extra yard -

- very much so. I think Murray and Djokovic are the best defenders in

the game, they are unbelievable movers, therefore she to keep

playing extra shards and he has got to hit those -- they are forced you

to keep playing extra shots. And as far as mind games go, if he can get

off to have really good start and make Djokovic suddenly think a

little bit more about all of these permutations we were thinking

about... Definitely, any sort of distraction he can get into

Djokovic's head is going to be a good thing. Given their history, it

is important he can get into the match. If things start to go

against Berdych, he may get the mindset of here we go again, I have

lost 10 out of 11, and this will add to the statistics. So the start

is important. There is certainly plenty to play for. We say Berdych

has to try and win in two, but Djokovic is in a different class,

isn't he? He will need to have an off day. He will hope that Djokovic

doesn't play to his capabilities and Berdych pasta plates to -- fire

on all cylinders. I think he is thinking about that at the moment.

It has been a long year for him. He has got to go out of there and put

all of that out of his mind, his previous record, and concentrate on

this first point. He has to have a plan and execute each point as best

as he can and hope that the, after a couple of sets, he will win the

last. And go through -- and hopefully. It is tricky trying to

work out all of this. When you have the top eight players in the world,

you split them into two groups of her four, you will keep them for a

minimum of three matches and it gives the mathematicians a run for

their money. It has been proved that people have lost matches and

come back and won the tournament many times before. We will say.

Andrew will no doubts take you through all of these permutations -

- no doubt. Tim is on his way but Andrew is already there, over to

you. ANDREW CASTLE: I thought she would

go through the permutations through the set, actually. We will see what

against Tomas Berdych, who has qualified for the third year in a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

down -- a nice loosener. Not a lot Just to let you know what his Grand

Slam year has been all about, Tomas Berdych. A quarter-finalist at the

Australian Open. The 4th round at the French Open. Didn't have a

great run on the grass this year, he lost in the first round at

Wimbledon, then lost in the first round at the Olympics. Then he went

all the way to the semi-final of the US Open, he beat Federer and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

Grand Slam championships? Amazing. It is such a physical feat,

yes, but such a mental thing as well. The strain of being the one

that everybody wants to beat, every Djokovic had in 2011 -- cue. It is

amazing to reflect that Federer won three of the four Grand Slams on

different occasions in a calendar year. It is amazing, the

consistency to perform at that ball, that is fine, but when they

are getting into these baseline rallies, he struggles to find a way

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

past Djokovic. Interesting to see a very nice point, but very nice

doesn't get the job done against the rock solid Djokovic. Djokovic,

a long way back in the Court play the defensive slice and then a big

forehand from Berdych, but the power and athleticism on the run

the servant getting to the baseline rallies, there is only one winner.

Djokovic misses a return off a second serve. He missed on against

Murray the other day and are still the ball leaving the Berdych racket

and arriving in your space, off a survey of around 130 mph. Cash

missed, two of them on second him physically, a physiotherapist

and a trainer. -- on the left returns the 131 mph first serve

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

Tim, and we talk about great returners and PUBLIC ADDRESS: is

certainly one of them. How do you improve that? I think one of the

things that opposed to his they try and make life more difficult for

themselves, so they might get a coach to stand inside the baseline

from where they are going to serve, so they are obviously going to give

you less time to react, and sometimes you can do the same,

stand a long way inside the baseline to give yourself less time

and when it does come to the normal conditions that the player is

serving from the baseline and you are a couple of feet behind the

baseline, it will feel like you have a bit more time, and again, I

think this wings on the return of serve, if you can keep them a

little bit shorter -- the swings, it will give you more time. All of

the great players look like they have a lot of time. They have no

extra time it is just that their preparation and food were, the way

they see the ball, -- foot work, the way they see the ball, it seems

to create time. And the drills you have talked about will feed into

your game by shortening the swing RUSSELL FULLER:, because you don't

have time. as he tries to get out of this

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

serve opportunities against Djokovic so far, but he did a good

job there, stepping in and taking the ball early, rushing it Djokovic

with his second shot. Now the opportunity of a break-back point,

and he really does need to get back Berdych, not granted a winner of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

back into this first set. Break- point gone. It is obviously a fine

line. Berdych is not just going to out rallied Djokovic. He has got to

take risks but he cannot afford to make silly unforced errors. When he

is committing the shot, go for the winners. If he misses, well, so be

it. But a couple of poor unforced errors when he had an opportunity

to the forehand side inside the court and then the strike. Pleasant

on the eye, isn't it? Playing like game, with his athletic ability,

his footwork, he is able to played very aggressively but without

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

taking too many risks. This match- but Djokovic always seeming to just

And the depth defeated Berdych. Now, he was talking about the pride with

which he represents is still fairly new country, Serbia. Of course,

they all used to play under the old Yugoslavia and flag. One of them

was Nicky pitch. And it was to that academy that this name -- this man

went at the age of 12. His mother and father were happy to see him go

at the age of 12 to 14 to another country, admittedly in good care.

And it is quite something. We have seen Andy Murray going to Barcelona.

Do you have to do that now? Do you have to travel? There is not a

right or wrong. Everybody's journey is different. You just need good

coaching and good practice partners. And we are beginning to see that in

this country as well. You will not get a better facility as we have in

Roehampton. They have a good environment and set up and as we

mentioned, on the boys' side we have some good players coming

through. And then Laura and Heather Watson, who have done fantastic --

fantastically well as well. I was always in this country and it

worked pretty well for me but it is about what finding works best for

you. And self-motivation. And self- motivation. And Djokovic has that

hear the blood disorder which really made his dad very poorly and

there was some question about whether you would be playing in

Paris and London, he seems to be making a recovery from that. That

is Novak's dad. I am sure if he is watching Novak play like this, it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

to the right there crossing of the court, would you, then? Well... It

is so difficult. Berdych tried to go for it but still lost the point.

Just always getting the ball away from him. Played a great forehand

but Djokovic was still able to reach it and play the drop shot.

scenarios now. 10 permutations as to what could happen. Stott

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

crossing them off! Yes. Berdych in interested in his if he wins this

match, he wins the group. Fairly set, he wins the group. Now, that

is more difficult. I cannot believe I'd put that out there! Good luck,

Tim. I don't think I am going to outcome. Djokovic has certainly

come out focused on his game, executing his plan. The outcome

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

outcome and execution. It is quite clinical. When you were playing big

matches at latter stages of Grand Slams or in big tournaments,

matches that really mattered, were you able to think that clearly or

is this speak... Was it self- taught? It was self-taught but it

is the mindset that you have to have. People talk about pressure

but it is all self-inflicted. Whether you are playing the first

match, or the last in the 5th. The ball does not know that and you

have got to think about your mind. When you look at the top players

and people sit and wonder how they are able to perform when everybody

else is so nervous, well... They are obviously able to bring

themselves into that moment and concentrate on the next point. It

is almost playing the ability to Cup -- of playing each point and

not the score. At the end of my career I worked with a coach who

has worked with a lot of golfers and he was excellent. Did you have

to go to him? Funnily enough, I never met him! He was a friend of

my old coach and we spoke on the phone from time to time. It was

how he has been using his psychologist and Howard has

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

impacted his game and probably his going through his repertoire of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

shots. Just 33 minutes and three through to the semi-finals. -- that

means. When he goes through as champion from the script or not,

that remains to be seen. With tonight's match with Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga and Andy Murray. There is still a way he will not be champion

in this group. If he was to lose this match and then Tsonga beats

Murray. The main thing is, he will be here for the weekend and job

done. I would imagine he will know all about that before going out

that he needed that one set. No aces from Berdych, which tells you

something about how Djokovic receives and returns the ball. And

that percentage of first serves in is quite low, isn't it, Tim? Yes. I

think Djokovic only lost 6 or 7 points on serve in a whole match.

And the second serve points won, which means the baseline rallies

are being won by Djokovic. Yes. Two thirds by Djokovic when they take

the serve out of the equation. would you do against him? That is

what I was trying to think about. I remember I had such a bad record

against Lleyton Hewitt. I went back to the drawing board and instead of

trying to come to the net so often, I was very patient from the

baseline. I felt without giving him a target comedy wasn't hurting me.

I had to change my game. Berdych needs to do the same. Whatever his

method is, the process he is going through, it is unsuccessful and

Djokovic might end up beating him but at least he would try something

different. Yes. Lleyton Hewitt. You have nightmares with him, didn't

you, for a while? Did you get him 12 years ago now. It exactly. 2001,

2002... He won this event in Shanghai and Sydney. Finished both

of those years as world number one. And then Roddick finished world

number one in 2003. And since then, Federer and Nadal have absolutely

dominated that top two ranking until last year and this. And the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

new man at the top of the game is predicament that even some of the

very best players have nowadays. That there isn't a plan B. You just

I don't know if Berdych has that option. When we can serve and

volley a couple of times in the game. -- whether he can. Look at

where Djokovic plays these second serves from. He tries to get a wide.

And it is certainly impressive in the whole tournament how early

years able to take the ball. And the second serve is really an

longer the rally goes on, the less chance he has got, maybe he should

say to himself, every second serve, opponent is seven at 78% of first

serves in the court, you are only getting a couple of looks on the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

second serve. Nice game plan on option, which is the kick at the

change of N's! -- ends! The season is an over for Tomas Berdych no

matter what happens. An amazing double for the Czech Republic. They

have already won the Federal Cup, Djokovic was the one making the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

call. A very cross smile, wasn't the corresponding arena to this one

in Prague have defeated Serbia. Kvitova and Thomas' former

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

girlfriend, Lucie Safarova or, who position, she just doesn't have the

same athletic ability to get back into the point. -- he just doesn't

have. More opportunities for the really is. And Berdych doesn't seem

to have any answers this afternoon. Novak Djokovic, who was already a

winner of this season-ending championship in Shanghai back in

2008, when he beat Davydenko, he looks set fair to go through

undefeated from his crew. The event actually stretches all the way back

to 1970, Stan Smith was the first winner in Tokyo. These are the more

recent winners. That second one for Lleyton Hewitt in 2002, he had won

in Sydney the year before and he beat Ferraro in a five-setter in

Shanghai. Roger Federer is the only man to have won it six times and

also the only man to have won it in three different venues, another

record for him. In Houston, Shanghai and twice in London.

Joining him is another a London champion, Davydenko. Let's go back

and have a look at some of the history, going further back. The

glory years for this event were when it was in Madison Square

Garden, Ivan Lendl was in nine straight finals. Can you imagine

that? A season-ending championship, the best of the best. He obviously

quite liked New York. He was in eight US Open finals. I guess that

is why he it there. Just up the right for Tomas Berdych. Just the

top of the Macro net on a passing shot, the ball just clipping it and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

Perfect technique on the forehand volley, I would like to see a few

Tomas Berdych. We should not have been a concentration on Djokovic's

part, but that is the nature of the scoring system in tennis. You can

be Ed played for the best part of the power and -- outplayed for the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

best part of an hour and he is hitting from Berdych, from the back

of the court. The longer rallies are evening up, six all. It is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

interesting, he is playing himself Berdych -- the net-cord helped

Berdych in the first game, I don't think it helped him then, it gave

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

the ball extra elevation that to doesn't go away and you expect an

easy game at some point. You are up against is the whole match. --

a look at what you have to do to win a point against Djokovic. A

nice serve, a big forehand into the corner and still Djokovic made him

play that one extra poor by sliding into an open stance. -- extra ball.

You always feel like you have to big afternoon crowd, I think they

are delighted to see Berdych winning a couple of games. It was

all a bit sleepy and Djokovic was comfortable, but the big man from

the Czech Republic has done well. He certainly has, he did his heels

in best dug his heels in, and it looks like it would be Djokovic's

11 -- 11th victory in 12 games. But he played a good service game, and

Al-Habsi can put some pressure on Djokovic on his next service game.

That perhaps he can put some pressure on. Opening up a palm. Not

rotating too much through the ball, maintaining control. Strong left-

hand side, just rotating around. This is pretty much the prototype

player of this generation, 6 ft 5 where does Tomas Berdych hit the

ball from? 34% inside the baseline. Today, it is different. He is being

forced back and it is nothing he can do about it, he is being forced

into the situation. It is very different playing against Tsonga

and Murray. Which you can occur? would, it emphasises the depth that

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

off four of the last eight Grand Slam championships. Just the French

Open last year and Wimbledon this year when he failed to make the

against Djokovic has not been easy this year. He has won 61 matches

and lost just one after he has won the first set, so Berdych is up

Djokovic, as we look at Berdych's parents, was the Olympics. He lost

that semi-final to Andy Murray on the Friday night. And then he lost

to del Potro in the bronze-medal in the Opening Ceremony for Serbia,

he would have been very keen to have won a medal for his country.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

He has had a few other highlights, week that the ATP World Tour finals

are to stay here for 2015. Where did you play yours? You were in two

of these, won't she? I qualified in Shanghai but couldn't play because

I had a shoulder operation, but then I qualified in Hanover and in

Houston. Very different, indoors in Germany, 12,000 seater stadium, got

through to the semi-finals. Houston has outdoor at the end of the year,

not ideal weather conditions, pretty cool. Was that where the man

who owned and ran the whole thing wasn't too sure about her Federer

was -- who Federer was? It was perceived as a bitter that this

respect to Federer, who had come out and won, and absolutely spanked

Agassi, as far as I can remember. - - Bequette this respect. But it is

fantastic years that this will remain here for another three years,

and why not? It has been a massive success, look at the crowds, 17,500

for every session. Under total of one million they will go over this

week, since it moved here -- and a total. The million people watching

tennis in November. We have done this -- they have done a fantastic

job. I can remember when the only tennis in November were the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

national championships in Telford the second game in a road where it

has gone in their blink of an eye. -- in a row. 100 seconds for the

previous service game of Djokovic, that one was just 73. And what

effect does that have on the course of the match and the feeding of a

match? The it just gets the impression -- it just gives you the

impression you are always serving. Berdych has had some tough service

games and there is a sense of relief when he comes through them

and 75 seconds later, he has the balls in his hand again. It is like

to spin bowlers operating together, keeping the pressure on. You can't

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

see where the runs are going to Berdych. He was a break down early

on, he had lost the first set in a disappointing fashion, broke back

straight away and he is putting in a good effort against a player who

is largely and playing him. -- out feeling the pressure, as he strokes

one of the best returners quite possibly ever. It is a big thing to

say with the likes of Agassi in played? -- who was the best at

returning that you played? Probably aggressive. I did play Djokovic but

he wasn't at the heights he is now -- probably Agassi. In terms of the

hand and eye co-ordination, and how early he returned, Agassi was

probably as good as most. In terms of players who could suddenly get

inspired and flash three or four winners, Becker would have been up

there. Henri Leconte as well, he would a pit. And hundred --

underrated returner. It is those guys with explosive power, and

Boris Becker was pretty explosive. Someone like Marat Safin, a huge

talent when he was on his game and when he was tuned in mentally. He

could really hit the heights. Jimmy Connors never missed the

return, that is for sure. Those were the days, those long socks and

the steel racket with the Roundhead. How the game has changed. The long

4-5. The last two games have been easy, can Berdych upset that we

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

chance. Can he play a strong point but when you win that first point

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

from the service game it does give skills and Djokovic is able to keep

himself in that point, ask Berdych to hit one more shot, and he was

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

able to get one more point out of still lost only one point in his

getting that first serve percentage up a bit. He is winning points when

it does go in but when he has to hit his second serve, he only wins

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

haven't seen too many challenges in the game today. But that's a good

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

come out and talk to their players. Midway through a set, at the end of

a set. And it is certainly a talking-point macro and it is

interesting watching the chemistry between the player and coach.

Because Sten faces and stern words from the coaches met with a stony

silence! -- clogs of stern faces. seem to remain tried it at one

stage. The Davis Cup got it. Davis Cup is odd is the A team event but

for me, one of the beauties of this sport is that it is a man-to-man

combat. If you make the right decisions, you will win the match

and if you lose, you have got nobody else to blame. So I am

pretty happy with the way it is at the moment. -- Davis Cup is

obviously a team event. A reminder that later on, Andy Murray is in

action against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and that is the last match Ingrid

in this World Tour. You can also go with Tsonga tonight. They have

played seven times. -- Murray's Djokovic and Tsonga wins against

Murray, Berdych will win this group. And Murray would not go through. So

delighted with their son's backhand passing shot, really, Djokovic has

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

that forehand. Comes through, really flat through the ball. Not

much top-spinner on that. And it was a point-bending shot. It was

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

either going to be a winner or an row where he saw the shot and

aligned it in his mind, committed Djokovic looking like he might be

getting a little bit exhausted or perhaps losing a bit of

concentration, but then firing back but thinking better of it, and we

Djokovic has only ever lost once. That was a semi-final at Wimbledon.

A big match back in 2010. A major disappointment for Djokovic. He was

flat for much of that day. Played a tie-break in the third set when he

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

played here last year. Djokovic in the last few ground strokes or

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

drop volleys than this. Not an easy shot from the middle of the court,

to take the pace off it and drop it in from the net. But it gives him

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

managed to get this over the head of the 6 ft 5 Berdych. And you run

first double fault of the match. He just got the double mini-break in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

Down, Berdych has really turned this around. -- from. Holding quite

easily, trying to establish something, Djokovic, but now

Berdych showing resistance we were not sure if we would see from him

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

early on in the point, you really have the opportunity to move

forward, and as well as his volley, he has won on five of those

occasions and looked very technically sound. Could have moved

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 169 seconds

reactions. The cameras will tell quick points from Djokovic, his

survival instinct kicking in. But now set point, a third, for Berdych,

but on his own serve, and the last time he stepped up to the line, he

served an ace. That time from the deuce box, he went out wide. Now

comeback?! He went for the slide down the middle. Mum and dad... I

would have gone out wide! And Djokovic's girlfriend. His coach.

They have seen it all before. There is something about Djokovic that is

so rock solid. When he is under the greatest pressure... You think back

to those two match-points he saved of an inch here or there. It is

resists Tomas Berdych in the second set. He's the champion. Champion of

this group. Some nice words from Novak Djokovic. As he takes the

salute of the 17,500 people here at the O2 Arena. His girlfriend is

delighted. He just said to Berdych at the end, good luck next week at

the Davis Cup Final. The next Parliament for Berdych will be

against Spain. In exactly one week's time, so we wish him well

with that. And by our reckoning, we think if Murray picks up a set

later on, that will be enough to put him through, but I am sure that

few days, and then back on court the Tomas, who beat Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga, but could not find his way past the world number one, Novak

Djokovic. Andy Murray in this particular group. A fascinating

match coming up later on and we have coverage of a semi-final. That

will be on Sunday for you. And then the final, the ATP World Tour

finals, on Monday evening. That will be on BBC Three at 730. --

7:30pm. So if you don't know where finals as the undefeated champion

in this group. Novak Djokovic. If Tsonga beats Murray in two sets

tonight, Tsonga will qualifies second. -- will qualify second.

Murray needs to pick up a set later on and that will be fine for him to

go through. It means he will go through second and he will have to

play the champion Ingrid B. That would be a Murray-Federer match-up.

-- the champion in group B. He couldn't quite capitalise, Berdych.

A brave attempt of being a set and a break down. -- after being. Just

getting into position on court and the crowd will be looking forward

to hearing from Novak Djokovic. He is an intelligent and articulate

man and the world's top player. And Mark Petchey is having a few words

with him in just a second. The Novak, congratulations. I think

there were 10 ways to qualify but that was the simplest! I was not

trying to think about eventual scenarios or calculations. I leave

that to other people and tried to do my job and win on the court. I

played a really good match. I thought he was serving better in

the second, towards the end of the second set, and I was just

fortunate to come back and win in straight sets. I don't know about

fortunate. You seem to be the best player in the world that coming

back from behind! If I don't know what to say about that! It is true.

I have watched you do it so many times. Well, it is the never give

up spirit and I guess it is part of every professional athlete's

mindset. You know, you always try to believe in your victory, in your

abilities until the last point. Back into the semi-finals again and

he would there a couple of years ago. Talk to us about how much it

would mean to you to win this tournament. It is definitely a step

forward for me in this Barclays World Tour finals. I played only

one occasion, semi-finals, in the last couple of years, but this is

the first time I win all of my three Nazi is. Hopefully, I can go

a step further. -- three group matches for. Who do you think will

win tonight? I am definitely a way of through the crowd wants...

Tsonga? No! I guess you want Murray to go through a... So I hope they

both come up with really good tennis and I will try to relax and

prepare for the semi-finals. have loved watching you once again

and good luck for Sunday. Thank you. SUE BARKER: Very diplomatic. Talk

about putting him on the spot! But he has got the job done. So,

tonight, will it be Murray or Tsonga who will join him? Andy has

one set to go through. All to play for tonight. You can follow that on

Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and tomorrow we are back on BBC Two at

1:45pm. Roger Federer against Juan Martin Del Potro. Another great

match to look forward to. Boy, Tomas Berdych will be thinking...

He would have won the group if he had won this match. It is amazing

how this format works. I think Djokovic did a very good job,

though. He wanted to go out and get another victory and that is what he

has done. Berdych is going home. Murray has to go out and win one

set and get the point. Three match points, though. In that tie-break.

Yes. But now Tsonga, he goes out there with real clarity tonight

against Murray and he knows he has to win in straight sets. When he

doesn't think he plays his best tennis, you do not want him to have

that kind of instinctive played, you don't want him to stop flowing.

Very dangerous tonight for Andy Murray. We should not take anything

for granted, to be honest. To but Murray played so well against

Djokovic. He has been playing so well. Absolutely. But that second

set was mighty close. Berdych had three set points. And Tsonga has

not played his best this year but he was in the finals last year and

he is so explosive. It is important that when Murray is out there, he

is proactive and looks to play. He will be in the semi-finals if he

does that and everybody will be happy! That is it from us. We

already know Roger Federer went through yesterday. Novak Djokovic