Day 1: Wawrinka v Berdych Tennis: World Tour Finals

Rafael Nadal bounced back in 2013. He became the first man to qualify

for London. Novak Djokovic made sure of his place much earlier in the

season, finishing the year with a flourish. Paris Masters champion, 17

matches unbeaten, he is the defending champion in London. After

becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years, Andy

Murray had few difficulties qualifying by early September.

Murray had few difficulties the end of September meant Andy

Murray had to withdraw, and there was and extra spot to fill. Juan

Martin del Potro increasingly looked back to his best. He qualified after

the reaching the final of the Shanghai Masters. Termist Berdych

hasn't won a title in 2013, but he did reach a career-high at number

five. -- Tomas Berdych. He is here for the fourth year in a row.

There's still three spots to be decided. Roger Federer beat South

African Kevin Anderson to secure his place. Does the six time champion

have another win in him? The Swiss number two, meanwhile, is on the

rise. Stanislas Wawrinka has enjoyed his best year on the 84 to date. He

had to wait until winning on Halloween to

had to wait until winning on belongs. Good afternoon. Some

terrific tennis to look forward to over the next week here at the

Berkeley 's ATP Tour world finals. Those are the eight players who have

made it through. Sadly, no Andy Murray, because of the injury that

he has had, but he will be back later in the week. The top eight

players are here, and the first two are being announced on court right

now. From Switzerland, Stanislas Wawrinka!

finals. But this man knows what it's all about. The world number six,

from the Czech Republic, Tomas Berdych!

It really does give you goose bumps, isn't it, when you come on here at

atmosphere. Great for spectators, atmosphere. Great for spectators,

event in Paris even more exciting. There were six or seven guys who had

a chance of qualifying. For me, Federer was the big one. With Andy

Murray missing after his back surgery, if you missed marry and

then Federer hadn't qualified, that would have been disappointing. But

then Federer did enough, and he is back for the 12th time. For Federer,

it looked as if he was getting better and better last week. What he

needs are couple of wins at the top level. Against this field, he has

won two and lost five this year. That is why it was important, his

win in Paris against del Potro. The fact is, he was in the arena again,

and he was still enjoying himself. To me, it is one of the most capped

collating stories both To me, it is one of the most capped

with a couple of really big hitters. Certainly. They have a big

history. It is the first time they have played here. Wawrinka is ahead

7-5. It will be interesting to me. I'm sorry, we were talking over the

announcer! Heads or tails? Heads is called. Tails. Stanislas to serve.

Have a good match. A picture, please? This way! That will make a

better picture, I promise! A proud moment for him. We are ready to get

under way with this first match. It is a change of format, a change of

rule, is a change of format, a change of

weak's gaps between here and Paris. This year, it has been back to back,

and that makes it very difficult, if you are playing in the final in

Paris on Sunday. They have to come here and play on Tuesday. Playing

tomorrow, and that will be our match tomorrow afternoon, Rafael Nadal

against David Ferrer. I think that will be quite happy to have that

group. It is the others who is supposed worry about him! They call

it the group of death here! There was always one group like that.

Djokovic is in great form. Federer, and Richard Gasquet. Good luck,

Richard. That is the first thing you think when you look at that. It is

worth the price of a ticket just to worth the price of a ticket just to

revenge. Yes. It is amazing. They played four days ago, and now they

have the opportunity to play again. For me, Nadal has a couple more

days, and I'm a bit concerned for Ferrer and how much he has left in

the tank. He looked exhausted on Sunday when he was playing in the

final. During his speech afterwards, he looked as though he was going to

fall asleep. Hopefully, you can recharge his batteries and put up a

good fight against the Dell tomorrow. Recently, Novak Djokovic

still has a chance to be the world number one, and he desperately wants

to finish the year as world number one. That is one of the great

honours of the game, but Nadal is likely to finish the year as top

dog. If Nadal wins two matches, he will finish the year as world number

one. It gets will finish the year as world number

winners every time. Exactly. With the Dow missing so much last year,

he didn't come back in time for Australia, and everyone was

questioning whether he was going to be able to make a legitimate return

to the game. Suddenly, he played his first nine tournaments, and did well

in each one. He think he won seven of them. For him to win the French

Open, to win the U.S. Open, it would be fitting for him to finish the

year at world number one. But Djokovic still has a mathematical

chance. If he wins this tournament without losing a match... As we are

looking at Stanislas Wawrinka, I can't imagine a sport that has more

charismatic global personalities in it. Obviously, with football, being

the world game and it. Obviously, with football, being

and producing his best form after seven months off. And also, with the

injuries that Nadal has had as well, to be playing that strongly again.

To start in Australia and play best of five matches on a hard court

would have been too much. He waited until the South American clay

courts, which were the ideal commission -- ideal conditions for

his return. And he hit the ground running. He then went into the

Indian Wales, -- the Indian Wells, which is on a hard court. Then

people said, he is back with a vengeance. He has the most amazing

clay-court swing. He is in the race right now. Absolutely. We will

concentrate on this match next. We want you to get involved as well.

There are many ways you seven - five up. It is for-4 on a

hard court. This is a huge moment in Wawrinka's career. He will be

desperate to show a good account of himself. It is an interesting

matchup. Berdych, for the majority of his career, has been ranked ahead

of Wawrinka, but it is revving car who leaves in the head-to-head. It

will be interesting to see how the nerves of the occasion play a part.

-- it is Wawrinka who leads the head-to-head. I think the odds

favour Berdych. He has had a great year. He has really come of age. We

have been talking about him making a breakthrough for some time. But

have been talking about him making a of a top 20 player. This year, he

has really stepped it up and played fantastically well in the US Open.

It is just rewards, finishing in the top ten qualifying here. This guy

hasn't won a tournament here, but he has been consistent. He has done

well in 15 out of 22 events. He is Mr Consistent. He is. It is right to

qualify when you are doing well in the big events. But he will be

disappointed that he hasn't added to his list of ATP Tour events won.

With the big serve, he's got big shots everywhere. In the build-up to

this tournament, he has been saying he's going to want to bring people

into the net. Well, I'll believe it when I see it. That is an

interesting tactic from him. when I see it. That is an

in upon the back of the court. Given the choice, I think he will go for

Wawrinka's forehand. He has a beautiful backhand! We are ready for

this opening match. Andrew was in the commentary box. Thank you very

much. This is the ATP Tour, the end of season finale. We start with the

debutant, Stanislas Wawrinka. A comfortable opening for Stanislas

Wawrinka. If you have any comments for us, you can contact us on

Twitter. for us, you can contact us on

World Tour Finals? What does he know? Certainly an impressive

opening. Two 28-year-old going head to head here. When Wawrinka took his

coach on, a former world number two himself, he was 17th in the world.

That was only in April. Here he is. Top ten in the Tour finals.

No predominantly white rule here. I was going to say fightback sock,

shoes! The first point for Tomas Berdych.

Wimbledon finalist in 2010. That wasn't a bad tournament. Beating

Federer and Djokovic, who really didn't play his best in the

semifinal. UMPIRE: Let, first service. It is

the challenge for these players. When you beat Djokovic in the

semifinals, you've got to beat Nadal in the finals. Such a challenge to

win one of the great events. Certainly, in other areas, you would

have thought he could have broke through in some way. He has been at

this at this sort of level since he was 19.

to the Davis Cup final once again. They played Serbia in Belgrade. They

beat Switzerland earlier on this year. As Berdych tidies up the first

service game, I will remind you that that was the last time he beat the

thinker. He has lost twice since then. -- since he beat Wawrinka.

Playing Djokovic in Belgrade - that is a task!

He seems to square his shoulders up quite early, and brings the back

foot up to quite a narrow base. He is enormously physically strong.

Strong legs. Extremely athletic. He almost looks like he served square

on with his shoulders. It is all about repeating what you trust in.

Tomorrow afternoon, we will have Nadal and Ferrer. We've nervous when

you played here? How many ghosted you have? I qualified twice, and

played once in Hanover. It was the first time in Germany. I qualified

their game, and in Houston. No doubt, every player has

qualification for the year-end championships is one of their goals.

There is no wildcards. The only way you can qualify is by your

performance in the 11 months prior to that. It was a great event to be

a part of. There always should be a few nerves. If you are not nervous,

it probably means you don't care about what you are doing. One of the

best feelings in tennis, walking out with the lights and the music and

best feelings in tennis, walking out commercial breaks, which, of course

we don't have the BBC. It is beautifully staged.

Wawrinka will be disappointed there. Just a rallying shot. Putting a bit

of pressure on Berdych, and missed the forehand wide.

The best event was a semifinal in 2011, Tomas Berdych. Lost to

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I am surprised he doesn't serve more

double faults, considering that his ball was - like Ivan Lendl's used to

be - is vertical. The cut his ball toss. -- look at. It is very tall.

That is another ball that he will feel he should make, like

That is another ball that he will They are both on Twitter. You should

follow them. They're fun! That particular medium has worked

really well for Tomas Berdych. He is not a man of many words. He goes

about his business brilliantly. He and his girlfriend, they've post

loads of pictures. She is modelling all the time, all over the place.

They are a really engaging couple. He hasn't lost a point on serve yet.

Almost 15 minutes played. Here comes a double fault!

his opponent today, Tomas Berdych, beat a Canadian player.

It was back at the Australian Open that Stan Wawrinka started to really

believe in himself at this very top level. He lost a match to Novak

Djokovic. It was in the fifth set, in five hours. It was absolutely

magnificent ball striking from both players, winning standing ovations.

It was a great start to the year. At that point, I think he thought, I

really can play this game. Most definitely. He always knew he was a

good player, ranked in definitely. He always knew he was a

the aggressive play, looking for his shots, with that he could compete.

Ten months later, he is in a World Tour final. Quarterfinalist at the

French Open, where he beat Gasquet from two sets down, and then lost to

Nadal. He was in the semifinals at the US, where he beat Murray, before

losing to Djokovic in five sets. He was 2-1 up there. This is the

consistently high level. And here he is. With Wawrinka, the strong point

of his game has been the ground strokes, his backhand. But when you

are serving as well as you are now, you get a lot of free points.

Not too much adjustment in surface between Paris and here last week,

where the entire field of this World Tour finals made up the

quarterfinals in Paris, which is most unusual, but it is the sister

caught to this, same company. -- court.

In these early stages, if Wawrinka is able to nullify Berdych's serve,

he is the one being more proactive. Berdych will know that, when the? I

mean, who doesn't know that you have to avoid the Wawrinka backhand

unless you are going into it with real strength?

Yeah, it is going to be a challenge but it looks like a break of serve.

I don't think Thomas -- Tomas fancies his chances. A poor

challenge in a poor game. Modern men's tennis, there's very

few second follies ever made. The first one has to do something,

otherwise you are just going to get picked off. And the power Berdych

has, it is amazing. Berdych does it with such a short

swing. It is not huge. Certainly full of adrenaline. And

Tomas Berdych will come out and serve to stay in the set. Stan

Wawrinka has made a very good start here. Let's take a look at

Wawrinka's year. Just around a top 20 player in

Wawrinka's year. Just around a top That was about the time he set off

with Magnus Norman, who, you would have been of your vintage, wouldn't

he? He certainly was. A couple of years younger than me but a great

competitor. Wasn't the most gifted player, the most naturally talented

player, but in terms of his work ethic, what he was able to get out

of his game on clay, he was a tough match for everyone. Lost in the

first round to Wimbledon -- at Wimbledon, not a match you would

have thought he should lose. He was probably the favourite going in but

lost to Djokovic twice, Nadal once. It has taken good players to beat

him. The trial period with his coach started in April, Magnus

We surprised that other Swiss player, Roger Federer, parted

company with Paul Lineker? Not really. They speak to the both of

them but he regularly. -- I speak. They felt they decided it had

reached its end. They achieved so much together.

point there from Berdych but he still needs to help himself out with

his first serve percentage. So, it looks like a moment of truth

is coming up in this match. Just one loose service game. A low-key start

here. Over 17,000 in the crowd. Not exactly rock and roll! Just

watching the tennis at the moment. Now, what can Berdych do here? Is

there anything he can do? When it is not going your way on first or

second serve? It is certainly like Wawrinka to miss a few serves and

when that service going in, Berdych is winning 92%. If you can get the

serve back in play, he has to look to dominate more.

Look at the early preparation. In with a shout. At 40 -love, he surely

would have been out of the game. So, the opening match of the event,

the One of these challenges in hope

rather than expectation. The Swiss just getting a little

tight trying to finish this set off. Wow! That is tight! Amazing, isn't

it? Been swanning along beautifully. 99% of this set, just great tennis.

Suddenly three on forced errors, and Berdych has a break point back out

of nothing. Good effort. Forcing himself to take

the ball on. You can see by Wawrinka's reaction

that he appreciates how important this point is in the match. He needs

to get this first set under his belt.

analytical when you were on call yourself? No. Perhaps they should

have been. -- I should. And that was the longest game of the

match by far. SUE BARKER: What a nervy ending to

that first set but Stan held firm and he's take on the opening set

6-3, and it could be three wins in a row against the tall Czech. This is

the first day of the Barclays ATP World Tour finals. The two groups

are in action and, well, both groups in action today because of the

French final from yesterday. And we are enjoying Berdych against

Wawrinka. Tomorrow will be Rafael Nadal against David Ferrer. That

will be our match tomorrow afternoon, so join us for that. That

is group A, and, group B, wow, what a line-up!

is group A, and, group B, wow, what is more prestigious amongst the

pros? Winning the World Tour finals or an Olympic gold medal? The

winning here will get around ?1 million in prize money but I sure

that wins -- means nothing to the pros! Which is more prestigious,

Tim? Wow! Oh... When I've played in the Olympics, in all honesty, it

would have been the World Tour finals. Ireland in 96, my first

year, I was probably more interested in watching the other sports than

playing my tennis! -- I remember in 96. And I've ended up getting a

silver medal. But as tennis has established itself as an Olympic

sport, the ?1 million would be nice but I have to say right now, I think

Olympic gold. But ANDREW CASTLE: That is more like it.

And the first ace from Tomas Berdych in this match. With a man who has

such a powerful serve, very unusual. I think most people's first look at

Tomas Berdych, the first time they saw the name, they pronounced it

wrongly. Because in 2004, when Tomas be Tomas -- beat Roger Federer, a

First in the Olympics in 88 in Seoul real surprise.

First in the Olympics in 88 in Seoul town. Then Barcelona.

I plan B or try to do plan A a bit

better? And certainly making five out of five first serves, dominating

from the baseline, that is how he wants to be playing. He is going to

want to be playing further inside the court than that, isn't he? He

is, but the only way he can do that is playing on the front foot,

dictating play, and if Wawrinka is Dick Tate in, year is going to be

forced back. -- dictating. -- he is going.

Berdych has been seven, eight feet back.

A big mistake, isn't it? A good second serve but I'd claim has to be

ready to the forehand. -- but Berdych.

That is an unusual change, after 11 games. It is the third racket he has

gone too. You normally change after the ball change, so I wonder if he

is going for a slightly different tension. The players don't break

strings these days, as they don't use them long enough. After playing

the way he is, you wouldn't have thought there was much wrong with

his racket. I wonder if he might be changing

strings because it is very hot in here today. Hotter than I remember

it before, and certainly hotter than the practice courts. When it is hot

or -- where it is hot like this, the balls get a little bit like a squash

court. They get livelier, and you let -- you need a little bit of

extra attention to gain control. It is not a match where winners are

really flying at the moment. Not too many unforced errors either. It is a

medium paced court. Like last week, a lot of matches rather dominated by

mistakes rather than winners. Few signs of

A great example of how to turn defence into attack. Berdych hit a

great first serve at 130 inch are now. The Franco got it back in play.

When he gets a chance on that backhand, he really can hit it as

well as anyone. -- Wawrinka got it back in play.

That was a bad time for a double. Fourth double fault. A terrible

time. We were talking about the then picks

earlier on, and talking about the conditions in here. Tim Henman

likened an indoor tennis arena to squash, in terms of if it gets too

warm, the ball behaves differently. Stanislas Wawrinka has changed his

racket for the third time. We must say congratulations to a great

magician Portsmouth, Nick Matthew, who has won his third World

Championship on a great -- on a squash court. Went to five sets in

the final. 1pm on BBC Two tomorrow, the highlights of that. How is your

squash? I play a bit. I enjoy it. It the highlights of that. How is your

December, which is always great fun. Renewing a few old rivalries.

Your brother is better than you at squash, isn't he? I couldn't

possibly answer that question axe work -- answer that question! Which

one? Berdych didn't want to go a set and a break down. He had to make

sure he kept his nose in front. A couple of tiny aces, deuce and

advantage to finish off. Now he can try and put a little bit more

pressure on Wawrinka's serve. I think Tomas Berdych will have a

quick look at this. #bbctennis, if you follow Twitter.

Christian says, who is the favourite this week? Tim? Djokovic, on present

form. Are you surprised that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga isn't here, says

Jonathan? I am, with his ability, but not the fact that he missed...

An opportunity now for Tomas Berdych. Going back to Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga, he is definitely a top eight player, but missed a large portion

of the summer. Second serve, 15-30, you have got

more than the width of the line to a mat. That is why he is so cross with

himself. If he was up, you would say, go for it. But when you are

down, you've got to make your opponent play.

It is a break point. The ball was long.

You can see the pattern as well. Wawrinka, a lot of big points on

second serve going to Berdych's forehand. Those players looking to

attack potentially the weaker side. In the end, Wawrinka made the

decision that he was going to take it on with the bounce smash. Could

have elected to roll a top spin backhand in. Good decision.

Haven't seen too many rallies and exchanges particularly. We have seen

a lot of brutality from the back of the court. Not a lot of variety in

the match, so the crowd warming up when they see an exchange.

Mark Foley - is that your real name? He says, are the players friendly

with each other off court? Some are. There are so many Spaniards, they

will practice together and have dinner in

will practice together and have tournament for every player. The O2

is so well equipped. They each get their own locker room. Butler,

Cook. Chauffeur! I saw Fleetwood Mac here a few weeks ago. With the

history they have, I wonder if they had a separate changing room, each

of them! That's well played. Did that just

catch the top of the net as well, just to demonstrate it was the

perfect length of shot? It is also the return of serve that set the

shot up. He got it so deep he had Berdych backpedalling. Then he was

able to move into the middle of the court and execute the drop shot

perfectly. You talk of rivals, and basically

you travel the world together. You are in your 20s, so you are quite

young. It and McEnroe was supposed to really

get at each other. I was in the commentary box with McEnroe, and

Connors was being showing -- was being shown around. He came in, and

I thought it was going to be like two cats in a box, but it wasn't.

Just a warm handshake. And warm words. And warm respect. As you get

away from the game, you mellow a little bit. Hoodie you stay in touch

with still? -- who do you stay in touch with? Two of my closest

friends are guys that I worked with. I practised a lot with Roger.

Todd Martin was a good friend from my playing days. Do you think

Todd Martin was a good friend from you really think he will? I think

Wimbledon next year is his best chance.

Any more? We have had some tough ones. Lewis says, can del Potro win

here? Yes. That was yes or no! another, the point was over. Last

one - is the atmosphere at the O2 different from the atmosphere at the

slams? Definitely. They are different in their own way. But

we've got a lid on this one. That can work in its own way for the

atmosphere. And the thing about it is, there's no one around to wise.

There's only eight guys. You don't run into the other players that

much. In a slam, for the first eight or nine days, there's people

everywhere, juniors and coaches, physios... 256 singles players

there. season the Na Li here, the Barclays

ATP World Tour Finals. -- the end of the season finale.

drawers. In the match we are watching, Berdych against Wawrinka,

it is the number five and the number seven as far as the top eight is

concerned here. They've got one, three, five and seven, Group A. It

is Nadal, Berdych and Wawrinka. The Dow will play Ferrer, tomorrow

afternoon. -- Nadal will play Ferrer. There is no such thing as a

bad match. You also have del Potro. Tomorrow evening will be Federer

against Djokovic. If you've got tickets tomorrow evening, that's a

great match for you. Del Potro against Gasquet is tonight. It is

great match for you. Del Potro the other end of the court. He was a

set and a break up at the -- against him, and ran out of steam a little

bit. Djokovic was powerful. The Frink backhand placement -- Wawrinka

backhand placement aiming mostly for Berdych's backhand.

Federer cannot get any younger. It is a serious issue. When you get to

32, you are just half a step slower. Opportunity knocks now for Berdych

to really make himself a part of this match. A couple of long rallies

favouring the man from the Czech Republic.

It was certainly a surprise he missed that shot.

It was certainly a surprise he the line on several big points, to

the left-hand side, but he hasn't made one yet.

UMPIRE: Bright nearside, challenging the call. The ball was called in.

From Love 40, four first serves. Four very strong points and he would

like one more here just to get back on level terms at 4-4.

Berdych saw it, why doesn't he challenge it? Well, I suppose you

are 20, 20 five feet bind it and it is a pretty tough call to stop that

one, isn't it? -- behind it. Is there a better backhand? Gasquet's

isn't bad. Wawrinka didn't hit that particularly hard but he got a great

angle. And this is the suppose weaker side.

-- supposed. The chip return is still a valuable

shot in tennis. Deep with not much on, staying low, tough to attack.

But with the error there. Oh! And of course the correction, if

it was right... Yes, it was a correction. It was Berdych in the

driving seat because he will get a first serve. Talk about the players

getting a bit nervous. Happens with the line judges as well! He knew as

Souness he had made that call he had made a mistake. Good correction. --

as soon as. Don't know how many times that

happens over the course of the year. So often. Can contribute to a slight

sense of injustice. The Swiss player will feel.

He's maintained his concentration well there. Could have let that go.

We are into a meaty part of the match here!

UMPIRE: Mr Wawrinka has one challenge remaining.

So, and opening match of the Barclays ATP World Tour finals. The

first set, a bit nervy from Barclays ATP World Tour finals. The

Rafa Nadal wins two matches, he will be the year-end number one. Djokovic

has got to win two round-robin matches, so it heavily favours Nadal

this week. What do you think? I think Djokovic is the favourite on

current form and, given these types of conditions, but the way Nadal has

played this year, I wouldn't put anything past him. Absolutely

amazing. He missed Australia, then came back. Ten tournaments in the

year, including the eighth French Open, which he has lost just once in

his career. Just stunning. Who is the most improved player? I don't

think just here. Though here, the most improved player? I don't

to see who has made some of the really big jumps.

Grigori Dimitrov is one of them. Made a big jump.

That will make this the fourth racket for Wawrinka.

The players are really into this court now and the arena, and they

have settled. It has taken a while. At that was a tough class rally. --

So, Wawrinka, a real bonus to get up top-class.

So, Wawrinka, a real bonus to get up to this start.

A slight electrical glitch. I wouldn't be surprised if it just

gets the old "pull the plug out of the wall" trick. And evidence at

previous events here at the O2, a bit of paper has come down of the

main scoreboard. Memories of the Australian Open final! Andy Murray

and Novak Djokovic. It's expensive advertising if it

stays like that! This tournament will end most of the

players' seasons, but for Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych in your

picture, they will be representing their countries in the Davis Cup

final, which will take place in Belgrade. He has a very proud

record. They won last year. With Radek Stepanek in the doubles

line-up. Hard to look beyond Djokovic when he is in form and in

the mood. As far as Great Britain is concerned, they are back with a

possibility and a victory away against Croatia. Andy Murray played

in that. And no word yet, Tim, on where the Davis

in that. And no word yet, Tim, on clay. -- and if either were. -- if I

were. On the east Coast, possibly. If Andy can get back on the court at

the beginning of next year. So, some minor alterations being

made here. Nicely done from Berdych there.

Great value in that shot. Difficult to attack.

After working hard to get the love-15 opportunity, the opponent

serving to stay in the set. Second serve, you just can't miss. He is

That's a deep all from Berdych. Well that.

That's a deep all from Berdych. Well struck, straight down the middle of

the court. Not taking on the width of the court and risking an error

this time. Nice and deep, getting involved in the rally now.

Well served. That was a working 123 miles an hour serve. Plenty of kick

out wide, coming into the net behind it. That is intelligent matchplay.

The big deal for him this year is he hasn't panicked.

Trying to break to win this set. Just can't afford to give away cheap

points. Two cheap points. Not easy to generate that much power

of the dropping ball and Not easy to generate that much power

acute angle. -- too. Berdych us when the tie-break to keep the match

alive. -- must win. Well, that's a deadly start for

Wawrinka. Two points dropped on his serve and Berdych is in complete

command of this tie-break. 3-0. Because Berdych has gone out to a

6-0 lead. Mum, Dad and girlfriend. More relaxed than they were earlier

on. 7-0! Tomas Berdych makes it one set

all. They will go the distance in this, the first match at the world

ATP Tour finals. SUE BARKER: Yes, if few unforced

errors there from Stan but a very poor tie-break, and that has really

put verdict name in the driver seat. He has moved up one place. -- really

put Berdych. Stan is 24, Berdych 23, but just looking at the top, where

you see Rafa Nadal, who is hoping to hold onto his number one spot, and

it is looking likely he will, he has played 19 tournaments and Novak

Djokovic played 17 this year. Looked like he was running on empty last

week but still manage to find a way to win in Paris. Eating Federer and

then Ferrer in the final. -- beating.

then Ferrer in the final. -- ANDREW CASTLE: No problem, Sue! I

think he will. I've been thinking he can win three of the four grand

slams and I think you can do it. The generation he is in, you have to

remember Nadal is only a -year-old than Andy Murray and Djokovic. --

only one year older. Djokovic has been, again, incredibly impressive

and it will be no easy task. What else to you have, Sue?

SUE BARKER: Michael has said, do you think the World Tour finals should

have been the best of five sets and lasted for two weeks? I think the

players are running on empty already!

ANDREW CASTLE: That is one of the deal

ANDREW CASTLE: That is one of the are not going to vote that acting

quickly, are they, Tim? No, and also, you wouldn't have enough

matches to play if they tried to make it a two-week event because

there are only eight of you. But I think this format works pretty well

as it is. You'd have to book the O2 for two weeks. Tough at this time of

year, too. TIM HENMAN: He certainly put the

disappointment of the second set tie-break behind him.

Wawrinka serving first is probably to his advantage.

Berdych did such a good job of getting through the second set to

get back on level terms early in the third. He doesn't want to take his

foot off the gas and drop that intensity.

I was quite surprised before the match to see that Wawrinka are held

an advantage over Tomas Berdych. In fact, he has won five of the last

six, stretching back to 2010. Some people you just don't like playing,

it could be that way for Berdych against the drinker. -- Wawrinka.

Some people 's games don't fit with others easily.

It's a grind of a match for Berdych, this one.

It was going to be a pretty difficult ball to handle for Berdych

anyway. But a thumbs up off the top of the net again, a chip.

It's a pretty good response to break point. Wawrinka has only had three

in the match, took one of them in the first set. Berdych has has five,

get a break. is down to the other end, so he must

feel this is out. I think he was trying to influence Hawk-Eye.

That is beautiful serving. It doesn't matter how fast it was,

deadly accurate. How many out there? Three. Please,

here. There is four tennis balls at the

moment. This is an arena where the balls do tend to fly out and stay

out. Wawrinka and all players, they like to have a number to serve with

and select the one they want to use. Normally six balls in play but

obviously two have gone AWOL. Nude tennis balls at 2-1 in the

final set. -- nude tennis balls. That should mean there are six

tennis balls in play for a while anyway. It's a big playing surface

here. Quite low barriers as the ball batters off and around aren't finds

all the ducks and crannies. 17,500 people it will seat. Not entirely

full, although all tickets sold for this one. No particular

It has been quite easy to support Swiss tennis over the last few

years, hasn't it? I bet there are some kids at home

watching going, oh, God! Mum! I think their day in London is

probably starting here and they may go somewhere else. Yeah, we all miss

Andy from here. He is unable to play. He's had surgery and is

recovering now. We understand he is going to go to Miami to do his

winter block of training with Carl Edmund. That's good. It is. I think

there will be a After all the fun and games at the

change events, it's a bit subdued when they start playing again.

A couple of back and unforced errors. A half chance for Wawrinka.

Berdych needs to start finding the first serve again.

It's a gutsy second serve when he had played seven points behind his

second serve in this set and one non-offer them. -- and 1-macro

non-offer them. His momentum was going that way. He

sort of rolled through and hit the forehand. You've got a question that

decision. When There's that chip again. Not much

pace on it but a decent length. It shoots through low.

Once again it is the slice from Wawrinka which brings the reward.

The forehand from Berdych. First set to the Swiss.

It really does feel like the match is nearly one now. Seized his

opportunity in the last game. Now he's got the break of serve. He's

yet to drop serve in the match. We're looking to stamp his

authority. -- really looking. He's been making the play, he's been

the one. If he had said that was definitely

long, he probably wouldn't have challenged. Berdych has just said it

was in. He's right. You definitely feel that the line

judge's call came after Berdych hit the shot.

Instead of a replay it should have been Wawrinka's point. It is very,

very rarely somebody's return of a first serve that is going to be

affected by a call that What is the problem? I don't

know... The physiotherapist is going to come

and have a look. A quick assessment. Two hours ten minutes this match has

been on court for, after a long season, perhaps a little bit of

extra nervous tension in the legs. A couple of weeks ago, the women's

tour finals were held in Istanbul. It seemed like

and pains feel a little bit worse. The players have to make it through

this and then that's it. Because there was so much available last

week in Paris in terms of completing the field here, people just

absolutely got on with it. There was no 50% effort anyway, it was total

commitment. I feel the same this week. There is an intensity coming

in from all of the top players, which you don't always see.

Certainly with the performance of these players throughout the year to

qualify for the year-round championships, they know that take

the Davis Cup out of the equation, this is one final push and they will

get the chance to rest and recuperate briefly.

The basic rule is you go down the line with those if you can.

It's not a great time for a double fault. With a high ball toss and a

relatively flat second serve, he is always going to serve a few double

faults. At eight in two sets and a half is starting to add up. And

three in the service games he has served so far. That's the way to

respond. You know, sometimes even the basics,

they seem to be difficult for him. He has so much power and to ask

somebody with legs like this and ground strokes like this, he has so

much power, to ask for those touches is perhaps a bit too much. He is a

high achiever but that has been the difference the years.

He's been so close to so many of the big titles. He's the only player in

the field who hasn't won one of the big titles.

Asking him to play a rally slice backhand. That was a very competent

service game and he is within a game. I understand Roger Federer has

been named the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award. Was he

awarded it or does he own it is? Also this week, the winner of the

trophy, which has been renamed after the former executive chairman and

president of the ATP Tour who died in May, our friend, Brad Truitt,

president of the ATP Tour who died his initials. Last week it was on

their shirts. So, continuing treatment for Stan

Wawrinka, with Tom Barnes white pine timber. He has been around a while.

-- Tom Barnes right behind him. Wawrinka really fancies this. Still

only one break of serve. Do you think Wawrinka is thinking

about the next game now? I think everybody is getting ready for the

next service game. What would you say to Wawrinka now

as he serves for this? It is the moment of truth but when you look at

the stats for this set, he has served 17 points and won 16.

What a bonus that really is! He can't understand why the ball is

flying off the strings today. He has lacked control. Uncharacteristic

mistakes. Ooh! That ball was definitely on the

Swiss racket, wasn't it? Berdych was doing well to spare that

point but big hitting from Wawrinka. Not afraid to stand up

there and go for his shot. Only one first serve in this game so

far. Only one first serve in this game so

whether it had gone over. Fell back on his side. And here is a tight

little point coming up at 30-30. Match number one of the ATP World

Tour finals in London. Let, first service at 144 miles an

hour! Could that have been right?! Oh, no. Heavy

have a match point. -- the Swiss has.

It's an error from Berdych and Wawrinka has made a stellar debut

here as he fires the ball up into the crowd. Well done to him. 6-3,

final set. Well, there are two Swiss here. And

Roger Federer, over the years, of course, has been so easy to support,

and so has Stan course, has been so easy to support,

this group will feature Rafa Nadal against David Ferrer, who has been

in trend is formed. And that is on BBC Two tomorrow. -- who has been in

tremendous form. He will probably be thinking now, I have to beat both of

those. At the winner's signature after this first match. Stan

Wawrinka. First serve percentage a bit low

from both players but in the final set, Wawrinka was dominant. He

actually only lost three points on serve.

actually only lost three points on talking to our friend, colleague and

former finalist at Queen's Club. I know I'm not alone in welcoming

you to the first Barclays finals. Congratulations on your first win in

singles. What was it like coming out for the first time onto this court?

You got a wonderful ovation. Yeah, it was a dream country. Ice saw it

so many times on TV and today I was on court. -- I saw. And especially

to get the win today. Some intense moments early on. How important was

it for you to get that first set? Tough but I was really focused on my

game. For my first time here, to beat Tomas in three sets,

game. For my first time here, to match, but a great match for me

today, so now I need to enjoy it a bit and I'm going to watch a few

matches and get ready for the next one. Congratulations. Thank you very

much. SUE BARKER: He certainly held his

nerve in that final game to serve out 6-3 in the third set to win his

opening match against Tomas Berdych, but I think Tomas Berdych

will be asking himself a few questions. Some unforced errors that

we saw from him today. So, the first match has been decided. The second

match will take place tomorrow and that will be at 2pm. Rafael Nadal up

against his good friend and compatriot David Ferrer. And the

his best but he hung in there and won a fantastic tie-break and you

thought maybe this was his chance where Berdych could kick on early in

the third set, but I think you saw in his second service game, a few

more unforced errors and he gave Wawrinka the break and when Wawrinka

was serving as well as he did, it was going to be very hard for him to

get back into it. Wawrinka only lost three points on his serve in the

third set. Great performance. May be Berdych just doesn't like playing

stand. The stats suggest that. It would seem like that. It is strange

that this man has been knocking on the door of the top four, five

against somebody like Wawrinka, who has suddenly burst through. Six out

of the last seven matches have gone has suddenly burst through. Six out

playing Wawrinka. I am not going to sit here... But the simple slice,

crosscourt and deep, that is a 99 out of 100 for people and the

calibration there is wrong for Tomas. Which is why he has only made

the one grand slam final and not won one. Those errors are the difference

between the very best and him. We were sent in another question, I'm

not sure who from. Who are potential grand slam winners of this group?

And you have to look at these two. Berdych has been only one match

away. Exactly. First and foremost, that will be his frustration and

when we sit and watch the match and see the tools in

when we sit and watch the match and necessary focus of attention because

they're what half a dozen second serve returns where he had 15-30 and

just missed. And when you are that good, when you are in the World Tour

finals, you can't miss that shot. So the question is, is he picking the

shot? My going crosscourt? My going down the line? -- am I going? When

they got into the baseline exchanges, it was like Wawrinka had

the options and the consistency to open up Berdych and exploit the

openings, so a great performance from Wawrinka. We shouldn't let

Berdych's performance to track from that. And we've picked out a few

shots that Stan has done because he did have some special moments. What

have you picked, Sue? There was did have some special moments. What

returns on the rallies. This year he really thinks he is going to make

these sorts of shots. The single-handed backhand is every

beautiful as Richard Gasquet's for me and Roger Federer and a couple of

others, but he trusts that shot in those situations. You get to this

and it is about belief and confidence, and he has found it.

Yes. For me, when you look at these rallies, and these are good

examples, it is Wawrinka who has been proactive. You always feel in

these exchanges that Berdych is having to react and think, where

Dwight go after Wawrinka has hit that next shot? -- where do I'd go?

Now when he is constructing these points,

through with great determination. Not a dutiful match to watch but...

These are going to have to up their game. What shocked me was how many

returns of serve Tomas missed on important points. That is right, and

there were times when Wawrinka, and there were amazing numbers coming

up, he hit one of 144 miles an hour, so some adrenaline in the

speed gun this week as well. At the second serve, you felt the

opportunities were there to come in and take it earlier and go up the

middle with pace but he was missing them and had missed why three or

four feet. And those were the donations Wawrinka was having to

accept. -- missed by. These donations Wawrinka was having to

enough, you aren't going to do it. When he played Djokovic and it was

12-10 in the fifth, that was when he was playing the best player in the

world and they had such an amazing exchange of baseline points, playing

five hours, and though he didn't lose, I think that is when he

thought to himself, I am ranked 18, 19 in the world and I've just played

the best player in the world and they should have won. And perhaps

the input Magnus Norman has had and given him as really continue to

improve Wawrinka's belief, and it is mental for sure but you got to have

the weapons and the shots to be able to compete, and when you look at how

aggressively he is serving, he is great from the baseline, moving

well, and it is a potent great from the baseline, moving

the big tournaments. I forget which round it is now! But he has had

opportunities. I don't know whether icy Wawrinka of a winner of this or

potentially as a grand slam champion but he keeps on putting himself into

position and it is symptomatic of the men's tour that people are

getting better with age. -- I don't know whether icy Rinker as a winner.

-- whether I see Wawrinka. He had the physio on and he has some

problems, not the first time we will see the physio! It is too tough

these days. We are going to look ahead to Nadal against Ferrer, that

is tomorrow. These two met a few days ago in Paris and this is how it

finished, with Ferrer the boss of Spanish tennis.

Tremendous credit to Ferrer, who is a piece of granite. He is so tough!

But earlier this year, Nadal beat Ferrer on clay. There it is. 20 wins

for Rafa. Five for Ferrer. But Rafa also won the five -- nine previous

meetings. He is such a worker, Ferrer, but he looked exalted

yesterday. What he gets out of his games... When you look at him and

compare him to some of the other players, he is five feet nine and

doesn't have a big serve. He is so solid from the baseline and his

movement, his intensity to play every point as if it were his last

is just incredible and he is back at every point as if it were his last

he is going to have been able to recharge his batteries, but,

unfortunately, I have to agree with Andrew. He so often comes in weary

and flaked out with nocturnal forelock to give, and also with the

Davis Cup final to look forward to as well. -- flaked out with not much

left to give. We're just lucky to have him in the game. Him, Djokovic,

federal name, Murray. We have said before, this generation probably

won't be repeated for a while. Ashton Agar Roger Federer. This is a

massive tournament. -- Roger Federer. But this will give him even

sure he beats Ferrer and finishes sure he beats Ferrer and finishes

Gasquet. Djokovic was in action yesterday beating Ferrer but he came

through to win. And this is how he did it. He was a set and a break

down to Roger Federer, lost the quarter as well. So many matches

since the US Open and you thought, he is going to lose, but he has just

not. And he has that victory over Nadal as well. So he has to be the

defending champion to beat here, for most people. And he has such an

amazing will to win, he is never beaten. And you can look at all the

different facets of his game. He is playing all the different facets of

tennis but the way he moves, it is so difficult to get the ball past

him, so difficult to get the ball past

sure in his heart, he is sure he can finish number one because he has to

hope Nadal slips up. But he will be keen to finish this year off with a

win. There was the worry, after we lost Murray, that Federer would not

make it. We knew Murray was gone and if he was gone as well... He has won

Wimbledon so many times and it is the way he handles himself. The

sportsmanship award, the humanitarian award, and if there is

a fan 's award, you win that as well. He has made me laugh more than

anybody else over the years with the shots he has played. Because I don't

know where they come from. As a class act, it will be great over the

next 18 months to see him hanging in, because at the moment, he is

doing just in, because at the moment, he is

losing to people? And then as soon is you think that, he strings

together six wins. Absolutely. He has had a difficult year for Sony

reasons, but for me, the enthusiasm, the energy, the intensity is there.

-- for so many reasons. So he has had a great performance this year

and then can start to rebuild for 2014 and if he wants to keep

playing, I think it is frustrating for him that people want to start

talking about his retirement. We won't! I promise we won't! More

sport before tomorrow at 2pm. Andrew gave away the result earlier but you

can watch it in full tomorrow. Highlights of the world Squash

Championships from 1pm at the quarterfinal stage, so enjoy that.

And we will be here at 2pm four Rafa Nadal,

And we will be here at 2pm four Rafa Tomas Berdych. Madness by News. He

will be a bit cross he selected that one for today!