Day 3: Berdych v Nishikori Tennis: World Tour Finals

After two days, 70,000 fans have seen all the players play once.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the big four continue to set the standard. The

dominant force in men's tennis. World-class tennis from Novak

Djokovic. Just ideal timing. Brilliant shot. That's an absolute

demonstration. So powerful. The hard work has paid off and that will be

that. That is a wicked tennis point. Andy

Murray is off to a winning start. The big four sailed through their

opening matches. One member of the Davis Cup team is with us, Dom

Inglot. We are getting nervous. Do you feel the pressure? I would be

lying if I did not. Obviously, everybody wants to do well. It is a

great opportunity to win the Davis Cup and bring it back to this

country. Everybody is on edge and you never know when you might get

called upon to be part of the team. Leon likes to leave everything to

the last minute. Just need to be ready. That is his favourite line.

You've had a great end to the year. We will talk about the Davis Cup in

a moment. The group matches continue. Here comes K Nisha Khoury.

He is taking on Tomas Berdych. continue. Here comes K Nisha Khoury.

They've not met since 2012. Ladies and gentlemen, making his

sixth straight appearance in the World Tour Finals, winner of 12

World Tour titles, from the Czech Republic, Tomas Berdych.

They both lost their opening matches, to Novak Djokovic and Roger

Federer. This is more like an elimination match. They've got to

win to keep their hopes alive. It's going to be very entertaining. The

big hitting Berdych against Nishikori. It is a difficult match.

Interesting matchup. Certainly is. They benefit from the format of this

tournament. They both lost in straight sets but they still have a

chance of qualifying. Nishikori got a lesson from Novak Djokovic. He

will be keen to bounce back. Berdych lost comfortably to Roger Federer.

They've got a similar type of game. Berdych is the big hitter. Nishikori

is going to look to try and exploit Berdych's lack of movement. They've

not play for a long time, it has been three years, and it will come

down to who can play best on the day and take their chances. Nishikori is

one of those players we are looking to take over as one of the leading

players in years to come. You are seeing the physicality Novak

Djokovic is making, and Nishikori is trying to be like that, at his best,

you can really challenge these guys. I would like you to say challenge,

for Hawk-Eye. Any questions? No questions? Heads. That is heads. You

will receive. Good match, gentlemen. Has anybody asked the question?

Probably not. After playing the number of matches they play, I don't

think there will be too many surprises for them. We want to speak

about the Davis Cup and everyone is talking about who is likely to be

picked. We know all the Leon has made his choices today as virus that

concerned, -- even though Leon has made his choices as far as that is

concerned, we will take you through these matches first. It is Battle of

the Giants tonight. Tomorrow, stay with us. At 2pm it will be Andy

Murray against Rafael Nadal. Mentioning about the teams he has

chosen. He knows he can change that. We are waiting to see whether

Bedene, if he wins his appeal he can play. We still don't know who's

going to play. Definitely not. The players want to know. There are good

options. The likes of Kyle Edmund doing well, you cannot look past

James Ward because he's done so well in key matches. If you can bring in

Bedene as well that would be a great left to the team. I think the whole

team want to do as best as they can. The whole nation wants everyone to

get this one done. You've got to pick your best team. Thankfully I

don't need to make that decision, I just turn up and do the best I can.

You had a great US Open, semifinals, semifinals in Paris as well, you are

coming in in form. I would like to think so. Obviously you have got the

likes of Jamie Murray, he has been playing fantastic, he will be first

on the sheet. If Andy is keen to play I think that will be the team.

It is difficult to argue against that. I will do my best to give Leon

a headache. If anything happens he will have a good back-up in myself.

On the doubles front we are in a good position. For singles, that

second player will be the key. You have shown you can play on the big

occasions. We will get a reminder of some points from when you took on

the Bryan brothers. The mighty Bryan brothers. Exciting times. The

atmosphere and there was crazy. It was so loud. The atmosphere was

fantastic. 8000 fans going wild. To take it from the position where we

were getting crushed, to bring it back. James Ward did a fantastic

job, he gave the team such a left. -- pick-up. Tim, going back to your

day. It was you and Greg, you were crying out, where can we get doubles

players? Now we are spoiled for choice. It puts it into context. We

never one world group match. It speaks volumes for the team that

they've been able to get through to the final but also the

responsibility that lies on the shoulders of Andy Murray. He has

been playing three matches, three consecutive days, it is enormously

demanding, physically and mentally. Now in the final against Belgium, it

is a way, on clay, it is a tough match but I think we are favourites.

. The team feel that we are favourites? I think so. We would

need to be full list not to think that. Obviously there is an added

pressure going in as favourites against teams like the French, you

think, it will be difficult, maybe we are slight underdogs, against

Australia we did well, we were probably the favourites there. But

as Tim mentioned, it will be an away tie, which is difficult when you

have not got 8000 people behind you. We will have 12,000 against us. It

is the final. We've never been in that situation. Andy has obviously

experienced it in other big events, the other guys, not so much. That is

time to shine. Lets face it, South Africa were the favourites against

Japan. That was in rugby. It goes out the window, you've got to get

out on the court and deliver. I'm sure the boys will do us proud.

There seems to be a great team spirit in the team, by Andy Murray.

100%. Within the team we do a lot of things to make sure everybody feels

equally important. Andy is obviously doing a massive job for us and

helping us get these factories but it does not feel like we are there,

going, this is the Andy Murray show. Every person, whoever is there, they

are serving a purpose. The support has been keeping us in great shape,

doing everything they can to keep us in the right frame of mind. They

deserve a lot of credit as well. We wish you well. Stay healthy. We look

forward to seeing you in Belgium. You can watch it on the BBC. First

up, tomorrow, you can listen to this programme, it features Tim Henman,

John Lloyd, Andy Murray, talking about Britain's involvement in the

Davis Cup. We will be live in Belgium for the final, 27th of

November. We are ready for this match. Do get in touch with us on

social media as well. Time to hand over to Tim and two Andrew Castle.

Bake serving. We could use good singles match, not just a spectacle.

Berdych, from the Czech Republic, perennially number six in the world.

Hoping to finish number five this time. That would be big for him.

Rafael Nadal is just ahead. This is certainly not the box office

match today, nobody is going to say it is. But this is a must win match

for both. It could be the most interesting match we've seen so far.

We have not even had a tie-break so far. We had this last year and it

was a disappointment, one-sided matches.

He has spent so much time working with Andy Murray, now he is working

with Thomas Berdych. There were handbags at the

Australian Open. Never really got to the bottom of it.

I'll just tell you as we look at this deuce, there is a statement

from the ITF which I will read to you in a moment about Bedene, the

Slovenian player. News on that in just a moment.

Having said you're going to read out the announcement, we will now have a

14 minute service game fought Tomas Berdych. Who did this way, it is

good news for James Ward or Kyle Edmund.

Couple of big hits from Berdych. Having been 40-0 up, he does not

want to drop serve from that position.

OK, first game. Here is the statement. The International tennis

Federation announced today that the application by the LTA for the

granting of eligibility for Bedene to play Davis Cup -- Davis Cup was

adjourned until the next Board of Directors to be held on the 21st of

March 2016. The ITF has taken this decision in order to ensure that the

rights of all parties are considered. As the application is

yet to be decided, the ITF will not provide any further comment. They

have kicked it into the long grass, is that the way you feel? I think

so. They are sitting on the fence but I can understand it because with

the finals coming up, Bedene having never represented Great Britain, it

does not feel like the ideal time to make a decision on that. Fairly

understandable, I think. He won't be available to play for

the Davis Cup final for Great Britain or after the first round

after. That second singles spot is well and

truly up for grabs. Gone from a 3 horse race to a 2 horse race. James

Ward or Kyle Edmund. Nishikori is five foot ten. He does

not have a huge serve but it is bigger than last year. It looks more

reliable. The elbow seems a little bit higher. He's had one or two Mac

injury problems with his shoulder. Obviously not the tallest of guys,

not got the best motion. He's got to find a balance between aggressive

first serves and getting presented up -- his percentage up because in

the first round he was in 40%. That is a better serve when you look at

the speed. Well placed into the body. If you can be hitting around

115 but making 60% that will give him a foundation to use his weapons,

which is the baseline game. Talking about a man who is proud to

represent his country, Nishikori has beaten Pospisil and Raonic. It was

losing match against Canada, they went through the world group

play-off. Unbeaten this year in Davis Cup, Nishikori.

The first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final. A very big deal

commercially in the region. From the point of view of Berdych,

he is really looking for the big first serve. 128 mph out wide.

The ITF deferring their decision on Bedene's eligibility. The lawyer for

the LTA is over there, they will need

the LTA is over there, they will with it once again. It is not until

the second or third week in March. You feel for him because they

changed the rules on eligibility for Davis Cup representation after he

had represented Slovenia but had his British passport. They changed the

rules and they said if you have played it you cannot play for a new

nation. It is difficult. Whatever happens, this process will go on. It

must be a little this heartening for him but the fact is, the team that

got Great Britain to the final is going to be the one that plays the

final and there is something right about that. Absolutely. Bedene is a

very good player, don't get me wrong, but imagine if it was a

top-10 player in the world who came in for this final match. There was

talk of Novak Djokovic are presenting Great Britain. At stage.

talk of Novak Djokovic are Davis Cup every year. Ten Mac would

be the number one Davis Cup every year. Ten Mac would

six years, maybe. -- Bedene. When these players get into baseline

exchanges you feel Nishikori is going to try to outmanoeuvre Berdych

and Berdych is going to try to outmanoeuvre Berdych

believe Nishikori. -- try and going to try to outmanoeuvre Berdych

Nishikori. Nishikori throwing in a few

It looks a bit like he has three different outfits mixed up.

Game, Nishikori. There has been a response from the LTA. They say they

are disappointed at the late decision in Prague to postpone the

hearing of our appeal. We feel it is important to state we have complied

with the process set forth and are working hard to achieve a positive

outcome. It is in everyone's best interest that a fair hearing takes

place as soon as possible, ideally before the first round of the Davis

Cup in 2016. We continue to support the bid for a successful appeal.

There you go. Good footwork from Berdych and good

use of the angle. With this court, it is difficult just to hit through

it, you have to use the Angles to open your opponent up.

That is a nice change up. He was quite a long way back in the court,

it has to be good and it had to be disguised. Take us through the

technique, Tim. It is set up by the aggressive return which gets a

defensive reply so Berdych is already moving into the back of the

court which opens up the front but it was still very well executed drop

shot. Taking it on, first with the

backhand and then out of the air and fairly straightforward to finish

into the open court. Can you believe this bloke got beaten one and one by

Djokovic the other day? You look at Berdych's court

position, to be able to hit a clean winner, he is a good four feet the

baseline against a move as good as Nishikori, that is a clean strike.

Thumbs up from Nishikori. -- against a mover.

Berdych having a look back at the baseline and the umpire to see if

that ball from Nishikori dropped in. For me, this is the biggest change

in the modern game, turning defence into attack. Berdych played such a

good point and had Nishikori running from side to side but the defining

shot of the rally is the winner from behind the baseline and outside

shot of the rally is the winner from singles line. Good thing or bad

thing? Great thing, singles line. Good thing or bad

a few more volleys! You would need long arms for that! How do you come

in on that, that is the problem. He got the shot he wanted on break

point and it just looked like his body weight was spinning out of the

shot. You would still backed him to make it. -- you would back him.

There is a little bit of respect for the court speed at the other end in

There is a little bit of respect for that. You feel you have to play a

very fine Berdych's wife, Esther, just facing

away from us there. A tough old game at 2-2, this one,

ten minutes of it. One more thing on the Bedene story

and the fact the ITF have said they are not going to make a decision,

they are deferring his Elavil easy -- eligibility decision until March

next year, that is after the first round of the Davis Cup next year

which is the fourth to the 6th of March. There is probably a lot of

consideration on this, but Aljaz has had something to say and I can

understand his appointment. He is on Twitter, "there's a point that the

hearing was postponed. I will keep my head held high." And rightly so,

he is 46 in the world, new has to be aiming to getting at seeding for

slams and heading higher. He has had a great year but disappointed. It is

disappointing but he obviously has a lot of other tennis he can

concentrate on. It is slightly disappointing that the ITF cannot

make a decision one way or the other before the first round of the

competition next year. Who knows the reasons behind that. The wheels of

justice turn pretty slowly. Stephen Farrell, who was in charge of

Queen's Club, he was legal counsel for the LTA on that. It is pretty

good at them to support Aljaz, I don't know what the billing

procedure is but lawyers aren't cheap! They feel obligated to

support a man who has a British passport, presumably. And let's face

it, having a world-class number one player after Murray is something we

are having a look at and hope for. -- comes from Slovenia. Nishikori

will be disappointed not to have broken serve in the last game,

Berdych coming through, he wants to put the pressure on the Nishikori

serve. 0-15, it is like a half chance.

This wasn't quite the way you were taught to hit a forehand? You are

never getting away with that with a continental grip and a wooden

racket! Look at this, open stance, rotation, the explosion taking him

off the ground, it is a spectacle we did not see until a few years ago.

You changed your forehand grip over time, didn't you? And the stance?

Yes. I think there has been so much

progression in the game with the way players move, how hard they hit the

ball from the back of the court and the first serves but the only

doubtful area is second serves. I think in the past, when you are

having to serve and volley behind second served it made players

perhaps have a bit more aggression and accuracy. Sometimes it seems the

second serve is just to start point. It doesn't seem like there is too

much wrong with that one but that is another thing that has made its way

into the game, they get their racket re-strung between matches, some

players every day and every racket. This Berdych has taken longer to win

his service games so far than the Japanese player.

It is patient from Berdych because you feel he is hitting a lot of big

shots in these rallies but Nishikori is always staying in it with his

movement and it is easy to start going closer to the line or over the

net and make an unforced error. Wow. He got down for a big fella,

six foot five. Soft hands and good movement. Mum and dad and wife

Esther all in attendance, as they are each year here. They got married

in Monaco just in front of 20 close friends, a very glamorous affair.

Esther is a full-time model and travels with Tomas most of the time

but is very successful in her field. travels with Tomas most of the time

It is the sixth straight time that Tomas Berdych has been in this

field. He made the semifinal in 2011. Actually, he has never won and

opening match and never lost a second match. They did a bit like

Agnieszka Radwanska. -- that is a bit like. He had a perfect record on

second matches so perhaps needs to play his way in. He beat Tipsarevic

and Ferrer on his way to the semifinal. His ranking has often

been six, seven, eight, and it with the round robin, he has often been

playing one of the best in the world. When you lose that much you

play the loser of the other match in your group so he has always bounced

back well and he is in a good position so far in this match. Andy

Murray will be confirmed as the world number two for the end of year

rankings, which would be a high for him, if Novak Djokovic beats Roger

Federer later on. Regardless of whether that happens or not, if Andy

wins one of his next two matches in the group, he will be confirmed as

that. Considering last year he had to play his way in by playing six or

seven weeks in a row, he has at a fantastic year. It was a great

efforts to qualify last year after a comparatively mediocre year. Losing

that much do Roger Federer, 6-1, 6-0, there were questions over his

aim at his back and his relationship with Amelie Mauresmo. We had about

the other day, I thought it was zero and one. We were not talking about

that match. The one from last year? Not that one? We were talking about

Goffin in Paris. I will have to wait for my cup of tea!

We will get on the same page. New tennis balls for Nishikori to serve

with. No struggle there, very

straightforward service games. It is nice to take a bit of momentum into

a return game with something like that. Good numbers for Nishikori,

67% first serve and when that goes in, he has only dropped one point,

13 out of 14. That is a good platform for him to build from.

Players these days are so capable of changing direction. Not an easy shot

from the middle of the court, to hit that off backhand over the higher

part of the net. Both of these players have been in

grand slam finals. Berdych 5-5 up, this is the seizing

ending finale if you are just getting in. -- 5-4 up. The eight

best players in the world I, this is number six, Tomas Berdych against

number eight, Kei Nishikori. He is the youngest in the field, playing

for a second year in a row, Nishikori. It will be Federer

against Djokovic this evening. Tomorrow afternoon is that thou

against Murray that will be a real highlight -- Nadal against Murray.

If Federer loses to Djokovic tonight, Murray will finish the year

as world number two which is a big deal because it will mean he is

seeded number two and avoiding the half of Novak Djokovic at the

Australian Open which would be helpful. It would be and it is an

incredible achievement and a great reflection of the year he has had

because he has been so consistent, starting in Australia at the

beginning of the year, making the final. Nishikori, top 20 in the

world in 2012 and 2013, progression last year when he made the US Open

final. A high of world than before, currently number eight. A star

player. Got beaten pretty badly by Djokovic in his opening match but is

playing up to now, 4-5, no breaks. -- playing better.

He did really well to stay in the point, Berdych, and when he got his

movement, even six or seven feet you find the baseline, he has the power

to find the winner crosscourt. Serving first in this set, being

able to build up a bit of scoreboard pressure, Nishikori serving to stay

in it. She is the youngest here by three

years at the age of 25. Still lots of improvement in the game. -- he is

the youngest. Perhaps we'll feel he should have won the US Open.

83 mph second serve, not really going to get it done if Berdych

picks up the direction early as he did they are. You could maybe get

away with it if you are keeping your opponent back, but not in the middle

of the box. Berdych cannot believe it. He had so many chances to finish

that. Slightly mis-hit forehand when he was coming in. This is a tight

point. He has missed that. Right on the line.

A bit of adrenaline on that. Fastest serve of the match.

We have not seen 5-5 in a singles match yet in this tournament.

Bad choice of shot from Berdych and also bad execution.

Best match we've seen. Absolutely. Both players going to to toe.

Pressure is back on ten two Mac. We have seen Berdych's serve the

drop off. It just got a little too high on him

but that is fashionable tennis play on a break point.

We have seen that before. I just wonder whether that first serve was

in. He is chucking his racket in the and

is clearly disappointed. -- in the sky.

You should have played this game... Still in the game.

That was long. Third break point in this game. Bad time for a first

double fault. Needs to get back to basics and find

that burst serve. -- first serve. Nishikori get the breakthrough on

his third break point. Strong return of serve right down the middle.

After holding bravely, he came through the fire. Great satisfaction

for him to break serve there. Unbelievable, the mobility around

the court. Berdych has not had too many

injuries in his career. 49 Grand Slams. 30 years of age. He will need

to dig deep year. -- here. No difference in approach for Berdych.

He's got to go to the second serve or does he stay patient? The only

thing that really changes is the mindset of Nishikori, whether he

plays the scoreboard, whether he is serving for the first, whether that

distracts him, because he has done a very good job. He has 16 out of 18

first serve points. See whether Berdych can get off to a strong

start. Nishikori looking down and seeing

all the sweat, you must think he is making him work.

Can you please switch your flashes off on your mobile phone.

first step on a clean winner, over one hour. Intensely competitive from

both players. Nishikori wins the set.

Super match. The best we've had at the tournament so far. We are

watching the Stan Smith group. This match, it is Berdych against

Nishikori. Tune in tomorrow because we our in for a real treat.

So powerful. That is a wicked tennis point. That is an absolute

demonstration. Yes, that is amazing. The hard work has paid off and that

will be that. Very comfortable, a brilliant performance. Everybody

looking forward to that. Join us at 2pm. Rafael Nadal leads the

head-to-head but Andy Murray has beaten them this year, that was on

clay. He has also won his first two Mac tournament is on clay this year,

and that bodes well for the Davis Cup. Belgium has chosen clay but he

has been in superb form. That is tomorrow at 2pm. We are enjoying

this one just now. Quick word on rough in a doubt, what

do you make of his form lately? He looks as hungry, I don't know

whether his game is where it was but he is heading in the right

direction. Would you agree? Absolutely. There have been a lot of

positive signs. I felt like he went into that match against Stan

Wawrinka as the underdog. He will be looking to build on that for this

tournament, and irrespective of the results, he will be ready to go in

2016. Roger Federer thinks he's going to have a good year. Was it a

loss of confidence? It seems like it. He was very frank and open with

his press conference in Miami in March. But he seems like he is in

good shape physically, building that confidence. It would be great,

because they spoke about the rivalry and how many times they've played,

they played in the final of the Swiss Masters, we would love to see

them playing more often together again. If you want to find out more

you can look up our Facebook page. So many ways to get in touch. Why

don't you pop into the commentary box? We will make your cup of tea.

If you want to call Tim Henman direct, his number is...

Berdych down asset. Lost the last three games. He needs to take his

heels in. Stop the rot. Set the point up well but would not

expect him to miss a volley of that nature.

The mistakes are flowing from Tomas Berdych. He will not be out on that

court much longer if he goes a break down again. So many statistics, but

he wins his service games from the 0-40, 16% of the time. Not this

time. It is wonderful when you win a close

first set, then you see the errors flowing. Where is he hitting this

too? Happy to go onto the forehand. You could say if you go to the

forehand then it will open it up for the next shot. It is working at the

moment, one set and one break. He disturbed his rhythm between the

first and second. That is a way as well. He does not

look good at the moment. Eight points in a row for Nishikori, three

games in a row. Berdych is a set and a break down.

What has he got to do to get himself back into this match? He's got to be

the last five games out of his mind. He's got to get back to the

basics of the process, not the outcome. He needs to hit the spots

on his first serve, so that he can dictate points and make an impact,

because this is running away from him quickly.

He is a little to go for his shots. Berdych is

getting pushed further back. Wimbledon finalist in 2010, I

remember him beating Istomin in five sets. He went on to beach Roger

Federer and Novak Djokovic in that tournament -- to beat. The occasion

was perhaps too much to him, he lost to Rafael Nadal. Wimbledon finalist

and semifinalist at the other three Grand Slam championships.

Highlight from Nishikori of course, beating Stan Wawrinka and Novak

Djokovic. This year, he lost in the first round of the US Open. He had a

couple of match points. Still ranked high enough to get into this field

again. Credit where credit is due. That

could have been curtains. He is hanging in there.

Strong hold and a must hold. Berdych is still in this match although a

set and a break down. Good effort, he could have gone away then. Very

much so, Nishikori was giving him very few opportunities and was

consistent from the back of the court but Berdych did well to get

his side of the scoreboard rolling again. He hasn't yet created a break

point opportunity and I can't imagine Nishikori goes through too

many matches when he does not face a break point so Berdych has two

remain with the belief he can get an opportunity and get back into this

match. -- has two The visitors here enjoying this

spectacle. It seems to have found such a natural home here at the O2,

the end of season finale. Who are they supporting? Perhaps a more

traditional British tennis audience! 17,000 people plus in every session

here at the O2. Two sessions a day all the way through to the final on

Sunday. This is day three, tomorrow, Nadal against Murray is the

afternoon offering, join us at 2pm on BBC Two. They got tickets for the

wrong one if they are wearing Swiss tops, Federer against Djokovic is

this evening and that will be wonderful to see.

Here is a half chance that Berdych was hoping for. It wasn't the best

passing shot but it was good enough to get past Nishikori.

The first serve from Nishikori only 113 mph. Berdych has really got to

get that back in play. There we have it, a couple of

unforced errors from Nishikori and now Berdych has his first break

point opportunity of the match. Mr Nishikori is challenging the call

on the left far sideline, the ball was called out.

There you have it. A real donation from Nishikori.

There you have it. A real donation error on the first point, Berdych

hit a pretty average pass on the second. Another unforced error from

Nishikori followed by the double fault.

And you would always feel that with the serve like Nishikori's, he is

not going to serve a massive out of aces and get a lot of free points

and you will get your opportunities. I am surprised that was Berdych's

first I am surprised that was Berdych's

amount of aces. Impossible to judge the

one, you don't really know what it is going to do. Massive mis-hit. One

thing you definitely don't want to do is set your feet to early because

you know it is going to react off the surface. -- too early.

Dad is a trained engineer, or used to be. Retired now.

And this is impressive stuff from Tomas Berdych who has come back from

2-0 down in the set. I think following his son around the major

capitals of the world is probably more fun than being a trained

engineer in the Czech Republic. What do you say? I think on this occasion

I would agree with you. What a great life you can carve out for yourself

if you become a success in sport and Tomas Berdych has maximised his

talent. He never had the softest hands, over 16 stone, six foot five.

He has at a wonderful career but never quite had the hands of someone

like Federer or Djokovic but he has been playing with them all the way

up, he has been the backdrop for these others to show their genius.

Absolutely, and finesse and subtlety are not the cornerstones of his

game, he looks to bully his opponents. He lost five games at the

end of the first set and the beginning of the second but he has

hung in there and turn this beginning of the second but he has

round and now has his nose in front and we will see if he can continue

to put pressure on the Nishikori serve. Could he have

to put pressure on the Nishikori anything over the course of his

career to make himself a top three or four player rather than top seven

or eight? No, you look at that context of tennis right now,

Djokovic, Federer, Murray, potentially Nadal, they are better

players than him. It is about maximising what he has got and he

has done fantastically well. He added Dani Vallverdu to his camp.

This was some subtlety although the volley was not great. Decent finish.

That was a low ball and that is a low percentage attempt.

Momentum is a funny thing in sport. Seven or eight minutes ago,

Nishikori was totally in command. He was looking to go two breaks up,

wasn't he? Nishikori did such a good job in the

first set of keeping those first serves in the corner so he could

dominate the baseline exchanges. Second set, he has started to drop

off, 44% of first serves, only winning one in four when the first

serve goes in. Berdych with the upper hand in the second set.

I have no idea what is going to happen next, that is why we watch

sport. Five games in a row from two Noh down? I know Nishikori has had

more than his fair share of injuries and you wonder if something has

gone. -- from 2-0 down. He won five games in a row at the end of the

first set, beginning of the second and looked to be dominating the

match but Berdych hung around and suddenly won five games in a row of

his own. Who was the match at Wimbledon with my reads when they

had the trainer on court and won six in a row and Murray then got the

trainer on and did it. Claim was the ATP trainer. -- Clay. I remember, I

have the whole thing in my head. Somebody can let us know quickly.

Andy Murray would be one of them! It was all smiles, wasn't it?

You and I, we are getting a bit old and forgetting things. We worked

that match together. It was Seppi in round three. Thank you, computer.

He had a good look at it and pulled the trigger but nothing and

Nishikori has at least made his opponent serve for this second set.

That is the first part of the job. These two players have not played

since 2012, I'm really surprised considering they are both well

inside the top ten and consistently so. Head-to-head is pretty

meaningless therefore, but for the record it is 3-1 to Nishikori.

Berdych was really able to plant that right foot, drive the backhand

down the line into the corner. We didn't think we would be saying

that 20 minutes ago, three set points to Tomas Berdych to level it

up at 1-1. That's a very tidy clean-up job on

his own serve. Mum and That's a very tidy clean-up job on

the set 6-3. And for the first time at the O2 this year, we are going

the distance. STUDIO: Good at the O2 this year, we are going

competitive match here at the ATP World Tour Finals, going

competitive match here at the ATP third set. Other tennis News and

Liam Smith, the Great third set. Other tennis News and

Cup captain has announced his team for the final next week against

Belgium pulled it is Andy and Jamie Murray along with Don Inglot, the

doubles specialist and a big division who to play in the second

singles, Kyle Edmund or James Ward. Kyle Edmund won a challenger

tournament in Argentina and is in Uruguay this year so he will have a

late run back to Belgium. There is no Aljaz Bedene, the Slovenian born.

He travelled to Prague today for a herring at the ITF and they

adjourned the decision whether he was eligible to play for Great

Britain until the third week of March next year. They said they had

taken that decision in order to ensure that the rights of all

parties are considered and as the application has yet to be decided,

the ITF will not provide any further comment. The LTA said they want to

bring that forward to at least make Bedene available to play in the

first round of the Davis Cup which takes place in the first week of

March. Disappointing for Bedene but a tough decision for Liam Smith,

does he play the youngster Kyle Edmund or the more experienced James

Ward? We will be talking about that for many days to come. COMMENTATOR:

Let's talk about it now with Tim Henman, who would you pick? Kyle

Edmund. I don't think it's that difficult a decision. James is great

but if you are a top 100 player and you win a round of the French

and... I did say I would choose James Ward yesterday! You flip-flop.

I think Kyle Edmund has to be the pick, if you win a challenger on

clay in Buenos Aires and you are top 100, I would be pretty disappointed.

It is a nice problem for Lyon to have. After the Australian tie they

were both hopelessly out of form, they had not won many matches and

you felt you were relying on and the winning both singles and the doubles

but with a bit of confidence, they could cause an upset in that second

singles. All three players who are in contention played great when they

were asked to come up all have won challengers, James Ward, Kyle

Edmund. Great effort. Why did you change your mind

overnight? Because I will be right one day, one tight! Don Inglot for

the singles tomorrow. Talking of pix, who is your pick for

this third set? The guy who won the second set and has a bit of momentum

going. I would say he is 60-40 at this stage, and bearing in mind he

has never lost a second match in the round robin. I feel Berdych is

probably favourite. You? I will take Nishikori. A fiver? A cup of tea. I

still owe you a few from last year. It is good to have a deciding set

for the first time at this event. The outcome of these games has

really been dictated by who is doing the basics well. Nishikori was

making first serves and dominating from the baseline but his level

suddenly dropped off and Berdych improved. Who will get the chances

in the third? Was he talking about the floated

return that was in the corner and got past him? It looked in. Pretty

easy for the umpire to say on the far line. If you are unsure, you

should challenge it. Get it wrong and he would have lost the point. If

he had stopped the point Romilly... -- wrongly.

-- these points are decided by such small margins. That went over.

In trouble for a while. Just to let you

In trouble for a while. Just to let Murray played before the match

today. They squeaked through. Another match tonight.

Repeat the point. It was called in. I don't know. That was a

walkie-talkie. Do you think nobody heard him? Good umpire call. We did

not hear it but he probably said something before. The only thing we

heard him say was, correction. It is a shame for the return. He obviously

made enough noise to think that Nishikori could have heard it.

Not a great read in this match. It is difficult to know who will stamp

their authority. You thought Nishikori might establish the break

and now it is Berdych with the chance.

Got some problems with the advertising boards.

Mr Berdych is challenging the call, the ball was called out. This is a

big coal from the umpire, you've got to hope he is very confident this is

out. Credit where credit is due. I said the call stands. That was

called out. I have called it out and it was out.

A defining set -- a deciding set for the first time in this edition of

the ATP World Tour Finals. It came here in 2009. A quick history of

this tournament, it is just below the Grand Slam championships. Going

back, Novak Djokovic looking to become the first man to win four

years in a row. 2011 was phenomenal. That is Novak Djokovic's fourth

title in 2008. 2005, that will take you back. Which ones did you play

in? I played in Hanover in 1997, 1998. I played in Houston, which was

2004 I think. One of the great homes for it was New York, 1977 until

1989. The last rally was over 70 shots. Such glamorous figures. Not

every ball hit was on the TV.