0:00:18 > 0:00:28COMMENTATOR:This victory was important for Roger Federer...The
0:00:28 > 0:00:33six time champion is on his way. Federer with a straight sets victory
0:00:33 > 0:00:40over Jack Sock.Federer gets the job done.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44And Roger Federer just keeps on going.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Sue SUE BARKER: Good afternoon. Roger Federer has dominated this
0:00:53 > 0:00:59event as much as he has the one across London. Today at the Nitto
0:00:59 > 0:01:04ATP Finals he takes on Marin Cilic in a repeat of this year's Wimbledon
0:01:04 > 0:01:09final, and, Andrew and Tim, I think Marin will be hoping it will be a
0:01:09 > 0:01:16bit more competitive than that match was, eight games in three sets, and
0:01:16 > 0:01:22some horrible blisters?Yes, Cilic was talking about the trials and
0:01:22 > 0:01:25tribulations he had in that match and it was such a great effort to
0:01:25 > 0:01:28get through to the Wimbledon final, and I think the whole build-up of
0:01:28 > 0:01:32emotion, he spoke about how much it meant to him, but when he had the
0:01:32 > 0:01:35blisters on his feet and he realised he couldn't compete properly, it was
0:01:35 > 0:01:40massively disappointing and, yes, a different type of match today.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Federer is already through to the semifinals, but from Cilic's point
0:01:44 > 0:01:48of view, he wants to put in a good performance to finish off the year
0:01:48 > 0:01:55on a high zero.Andrew, it was one of the matches of the tournament at
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Wimbledon, when Cilic had match points and lost and five.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Absolutely, you can blow you off the court when he is playing well, but
0:02:02 > 0:02:07being able to relax and just continue to hit the ball and not let
0:02:07 > 0:02:11the nerves get the best of them, because as well as the blister and
0:02:11 > 0:02:15the poor tennis we saw, it was a bit of a meltdown in that Wimbledon
0:02:15 > 0:02:19final, looked a bit too big, which is strange considering the won that
0:02:19 > 0:02:25US Open back in 2014 and beat his opponent in the final in straight
0:02:25 > 0:02:29sets, so he knows he can win this, but really it is a day to celebrate
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Roger Federer's tennis, and with a bit of luck Marin can just chill out
0:02:34 > 0:02:37a bit, because he has looked so tense on the court. He has chances
0:02:37 > 0:02:40to win the other matches this week. Just chill out a tad and enjoy
0:02:40 > 0:02:45yourself, because it looks like a bit of an ordeal sometimes when he
0:02:45 > 0:02:52plays, which I don't understand. Including the 2014 US Open, this
0:02:52 > 0:02:55year's Wimbledon finalist, from Croatia, Marin Cilic!
0:02:55 > 0:03:03APPLAUSE
0:03:10 > 0:03:14MUSIC PLAYS
0:03:14 > 0:03:23MUSIC PLAYS
0:03:23 > 0:03:28Ladies and gentlemen, making a record 15th appearance, the six time
0:03:28 > 0:03:35champion, winner of 95 titles, including a record 19 grandstand
0:03:35 > 0:03:41trophies and Master 1000s, the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon
0:03:41 > 0:03:44champion, from Switzerland, Roger Federer!
0:03:44 > 0:03:54APPLAUSE
0:04:17 > 0:04:24Ladies and gentlemen, please give... Sue SUE BARKER: The players are on
0:04:24 > 0:04:28court, and we were talking about the win that Cilic had at the US Open.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32You feel that was the greatest match he has played and he needs to repeat
0:04:32 > 0:04:37that sort of form but, Tim, coming in here, this match doesn't mean a
0:04:37 > 0:04:42lot, in terms of ranking points and prize-money, yes, but difficult to
0:04:42 > 0:04:47play the sort of matches, isn't it? You have to go out there with a
0:04:47 > 0:04:51purpose and I think from Federer's point of view, the match he won
0:04:51 > 0:04:56against Zverev, I think it was quite erratic, made a lot of unforced
0:04:56 > 0:05:00errors, his first serve percentage down, so I think it is the ideal
0:05:00 > 0:05:02opportunity for him to come out and work on those different aspects of
0:05:02 > 0:05:05his game knowing he is already through to the semifinals, because
0:05:05 > 0:05:09as the matches get tougher and tougher, Federer wants to make sure
0:05:09 > 0:05:13he is in top form, to finish this year off pretty much the way it has
0:05:13 > 0:05:18been all year.It is a different mindset, though, isn't it? Federer
0:05:18 > 0:05:22knows he will be here on Saturday already.Yes, looking to maintain
0:05:22 > 0:05:26his momentum. You don't want to go into the semifinals having suffered
0:05:26 > 0:05:31a loss. He wants to play better than he did against Zverev, as Tim said,
0:05:31 > 0:05:37and Cilic will just want to win and finish it in some style.Boys, thin
0:05:37 > 0:05:55conditions. Welcome to the Nitto ATP Finals. The toss, head or deals? OK.
0:05:55 > 0:06:03-- head or tails. Roger.Roger Federer has
0:06:03 > 0:06:08-- head or tails. Roger.Roger Federer has won the toss. Let's hear
0:06:08 > 0:06:12from Marin Cilic, looking forward to playing the world number two today.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17Looking forward to the match against Roger. Definitely had the great
0:06:17 > 0:06:21season, amazing season obviously for him, hasn't played too many
0:06:21 > 0:06:23tournaments but all of them he has played at such a high level.
0:06:23 > 0:06:30Obviously he loves the indoors, ATP World Tour Final is, he always
0:06:30 > 0:06:34enjoys the player, always likes the big atmosphere, big stage, so
0:06:34 > 0:06:37hopefully for me I can deliver a great match against him and
0:06:37 > 0:06:44hopefully I am going to be the one finding the key for the victory.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49Somehow I feel that Roger has changed the locks since then, but it
0:06:49 > 0:06:51is interesting. When you look at what has happened since Wimbledon,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55he took off a lot of time, only came back at the US Open, and we have
0:06:55 > 0:07:00been looking at the highest ranked players he has beaten since then,
0:07:00 > 0:07:06and Bautista Agut, the highest ranked players. Lost to the likes of
0:07:06 > 0:07:15Del Potro, Nadal...That final was completely brutal. You don't need
0:07:15 > 0:07:206-7 weeks off to recover from the blister. He needed a rest. He is
0:07:20 > 0:07:23rested now was but he played well in his first two matches here. He
0:07:23 > 0:07:29should be proud of his year. He was a definite here, no AlterNet.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Against Zverev and Sock, he had a break-up in the third set of both of
0:07:33 > 0:07:38those matches. If was coaching now it would be looking for high energy,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41but how about putting a smile on your face? I really mean that, take
0:07:41 > 0:07:44a little bit of the ear out of the balloon, just smile your way through
0:07:44 > 0:07:48the match. Roger will be demonstrating shots we are unlikely
0:07:48 > 0:07:52to see anybody else play, so that will be a joy to watch, but for
0:07:52 > 0:07:52Marin
0:07:52 > 0:07:54will be a joy to watch, but for Marin, just enjoyed his last chance
0:07:54 > 0:07:58to showcase your talent at the end of a great year.He should have won
0:07:58 > 0:08:05both matches against top ten opposition here, but how does that
0:08:05 > 0:08:07affect the main? When you can't finish it off?I think that has been
0:08:07 > 0:08:11a question, at the very highest level, and we are talking about a
0:08:11 > 0:08:14great player who has won a Grand Slam, and when you see his record,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17the number of opportunities he has not been able to close out, it plays
0:08:17 > 0:08:22on your mind. It will always be there. We know you have to stay in
0:08:22 > 0:08:26the present, forget about it, but he will be aware of that and certainly
0:08:26 > 0:08:37in a big event, to be up 3-0, 3-1, to not close out those matches and
0:08:37 > 0:08:39when you have a big game indoors that will be very disappointing, but
0:08:39 > 0:08:43as Andrew said he has beaten Federer before and he has the revel in this
0:08:43 > 0:08:45opportunity. Looking at some of the other statistics, with Federer's
0:08:45 > 0:08:49head-to-head against David Ferrer, you look at those, it is good he has
0:08:49 > 0:08:55beaten him once.And against Alex Zverev, this young up 20-year-old
0:08:55 > 0:08:59who could be a future world number one, and even Roger said he has a
0:08:59 > 0:09:06very bright future, he was so good at the sliced shots, wasn't he?
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Slicing the backhand more to Zverev than he was before.He has a
0:09:11 > 0:09:14wonderful backhand slice, has the ability to put the ball anywhere he
0:09:14 > 0:09:18wants of the court. He found it very difficult to get on the front foot
0:09:18 > 0:09:22against Zverev and he mentioned it straightaway afterwards, he was
0:09:22 > 0:09:26frustrated, a little testy at times, and I thought it was a wonderful
0:09:26 > 0:09:29contest because Zverev is such a fine player already. He will be even
0:09:29 > 0:09:32better. But it was interesting. Roger didn't feel he played that
0:09:32 > 0:09:35well. I thought there were moments where he was really pushed to the
0:09:35 > 0:09:38very limit and that was thrilling to watch.You speak about their
0:09:38 > 0:09:44tactics. Zverev said Roger was slicing to his backhand so much,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47because everyone is very much aware that Zverev is so good when you give
0:09:47 > 0:09:52him a bit of power?Very much so, and again we saw that, Federer
0:09:52 > 0:10:02keeping the ball law, sets sets in height, Zverev, is whether it is
0:10:02 > 0:10:08that it is slice down the line to the forehand -- he is six in height.
0:10:08 > 0:10:16It is another shot the lookout for but I think overall Federer's
0:10:16 > 0:10:19consistency and vitamin that match was erratic and he will like to use
0:10:19 > 0:10:23this as a good opportunity to work on his game and be really ready for
0:10:23 > 0:10:26the semifinals on Saturday.He was giving himself a stern talking to
0:10:26 > 0:10:31during that match, wasn't he? He was looking fed up, wasn't he, at times
0:10:31 > 0:10:37during that?Was a bit grumpy. It doesn't happen that often, but, you
0:10:37 > 0:10:40know, the end of a long season, having a little go at the umpire,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44saying he didn't actually hear it, sometimes a little bit short with
0:10:44 > 0:10:48the ball kids, with himself, with his support crew, so it is good to
0:10:48 > 0:10:52see he is human after all. Absolutely. And just today it was
0:10:52 > 0:10:59announced he is now, he has now won more actual prize money than Tiger
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Woods, the top individual sportsperson, £84 million, just over
0:11:04 > 0:11:08$110 million. He has nothing to be grumpy about!You wouldn't have
0:11:08 > 0:11:10thought so! It should be a fairly good Christmas in the Federer
0:11:10 > 0:11:16household. Certainly with the way he has played all year it has just been
0:11:16 > 0:11:20incredible. He realises how good it has been, but this is a title he
0:11:20 > 0:11:23desperately wants to win again, so I'm sure he has some holidays coming
0:11:23 > 0:11:27up and he will want to go into those holidays with the right finish to
0:11:27 > 0:11:30the season.Well, it is just wonderful that his passion is still
0:11:30 > 0:11:34as strong for the game now is when we saw him as a junior.It is
0:11:34 > 0:11:46wonderful and I think a little surprising. At 36, with armoured of
0:11:46 > 0:11:48trouble he does, the demands on his time, yes, there are fantastic
0:11:48 > 0:11:50rewards, but there are enormous sacrifices, but he still absolutely
0:11:50 > 0:11:53thrives in this environment and I would like to think he will be back
0:11:53 > 0:11:55for a few more years yet.Yes, absolutely. Let's sit back and enjoy
0:11:55 > 0:12:01this one with Tim and Andrew. COMMENTATOR: Absolutely. Marin Cilic
0:12:01 > 0:12:08asked to serve first, because, as you said, Roger Federer won toss. A
0:12:08 > 0:12:18repeat of the Wimbledon final, across town from SW19.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Because you are going to choose Federer to winners today...What
0:13:10 > 0:13:16makes you think that?No, because you are.Is that because I give you
0:13:16 > 0:13:20the first choice on your birthday? LAUGHTER
0:13:20 > 0:13:26I will think about the bet I am going to offer today, we'll see.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36So I say Federer in straight sets. Do you want Cilic asset?
0:13:36 > 0:13:51LAUGHTER -- a set?Cilic in seven sets.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Cilic in seven, sets.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34This afternoon it is a chance room just to work his way through
0:14:34 > 0:14:37gearboxes and Federer, just ridiculous how good he is a tennis.
0:14:37 > 0:14:48Don't know what to say!
0:15:09 > 0:15:20APPLAUSE Said it yesterday and I will say it
0:15:20 > 0:15:25again, it is amazing how quickly within six points, both players,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28coming out aggressive, timing the ball well. In this type of
0:15:28 > 0:15:39tournament you can't really is your way in.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48You can barely remember the years you played in this event,
0:15:48 > 0:15:58considering you qualified... There is Jonas Bjorkman there.What was
0:15:58 > 0:16:09yours?Played Arsenal to it... -- I played as an alternate.I was
0:16:09 > 0:16:12actually playing in the national championships at Telford in the
0:16:12 > 0:16:19morning. Beat a very good young prospect, James Dell gargle.Oh, did
0:16:19 > 0:16:39you? -- James Delgado.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52Is as loud as the sound system at all O2 here, the sound of the ball
0:16:52 > 0:16:59Common off be strings.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03all O2 here, the sound of the ball Common off be strings.
0:17:20 > 0:17:26Federer certainly is the boss here.
0:18:12 > 0:18:19APPLAUSE Well done, Marin Cilic. It has been
0:18:19 > 0:18:28a tough week so far. A decent hold from break point stone. That, those
0:18:28 > 0:18:35national championships in Telford, I really enjoyed playing that, and you
0:18:35 > 0:18:39outgrew it, that was the problem.It was good, though, at that stage, for
0:18:39 > 0:18:44a lot of the guys. It was a pretty big event, some decent prize money.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49It helped a lot of people to continue in the game.You could make
0:18:49 > 0:18:52political statements as a change of ends, if you want to do.
0:18:52 > 0:18:59LAUGHTER -- wanted to. Then get banned! Oh,
0:18:59 > 0:19:08boy! Happy memories, eh?
0:19:12 > 0:19:22It's big.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27The National is probably the only event where I got the final more
0:19:27 > 0:19:41than you. -- the Nationals.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Very good, the pace of indoor courts nowadays compared to 15 or 20 years
0:19:47 > 0:19:56ago. Very different. This court is quite quick for an indoor court.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Severin Luthi.
0:20:24 > 0:20:42Now he can play on a fast and court. -- fast indoor court.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Dipping into the box of tricks quite early, Roger Federer, with that
0:21:35 > 0:21:40surprise forehand drop shot. It was played with his toes on the
0:21:40 > 0:21:44baseline, and came out of nowhere really. Expect quite a lot of that
0:21:44 > 0:21:47this afternoon. Looking forward to seeing what Roger comes up with,
0:21:47 > 0:21:56always. Good from..., though, to have 30-0 against the Federer serve.
0:21:56 > 0:22:03Unable to capitalise. -- good from Cilic, though, to have 30-0.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11UMPIRE:The ball was called out. Interesting one. If this ball is in,
0:23:11 > 0:23:16where did the call come? Did it affect Roger Federer's return? You
0:23:16 > 0:23:20tell me.When did call ever affect a first serve return? The ball is
0:23:20 > 0:23:26coming too quickly, isn't it? Out.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The return might have been affected if it was your serve coming through.
0:23:42 > 0:23:49LAUGHTER A second before it arrives! A couple
0:23:49 > 0:23:56of challenges from Marin Cilic. That one was on the outside edge. Is that
0:23:56 > 0:24:10the same gentleman reported and
0:24:19 > 0:24:32emitter -- Dimitrov be in court yesterday. Beady eyes on him.
0:24:33 > 0:24:33emitter -- Dimitrov being coach yesterday.
0:25:21 > 0:25:36APPLAUSE Right, excellent old. -- hold. Let's
0:25:36 > 0:25:41take a quick look at his opponent, Roger Federer, because this is what
0:25:41 > 0:25:44you're up against when you're playing Roger and his record at this
0:25:44 > 0:25:48tournament is absolutely ridiculous. The oldest player at 36 to qualify
0:25:48 > 0:25:55for the year-end finals, which have been going since 1970. A
0:25:55 > 0:26:01semifinalist all the way back in 2002 and you can see the winds there
0:26:01 > 0:26:11in three, four, six, seven, ten and 11, so quite a barren run since 2011
0:26:11 > 0:26:14-- wins there. I just remember watching that match and thinking
0:26:14 > 0:26:21that was crazy. Appetite for success continues. Victor Ruiz in Shanghai
0:26:21 > 0:26:32and London, and Houston, for Roger Federer -- Victor Ruiz in Shanghai
0:26:32 > 0:26:41and London -- victories. And the records he has, against
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Kohlschreiber, Lopez, it is just the dominance over other players. They
0:26:46 > 0:26:53fill it the locker room for sure. Again it emphasises the overall
0:26:53 > 0:27:01consistency of his performance. He just does not have too many lulls,
0:27:01 > 0:27:07lows in his game, so sound in so many areas, but an impressive start
0:27:07 > 0:27:18from Cilic here. That'll do it!A bit of wingspan.
0:27:33 > 0:27:42Oh, that is a volley. Back behind your man.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I see that a couple of times from the back of the court, Cilic going
0:27:45 > 0:27:51behind Federer, but that was a great volley from Federer.
0:27:51 > 0:27:57Tough for the big man to change direction.
0:28:01 > 0:28:01APPLAUSE
0:28:46 > 0:28:55The oldest player to qualify for these finals. Eight men. The top
0:28:55 > 0:29:05eight who still survive uninjured. The youngest, Zverev, plainly to run
0:29:05 > 0:29:13against Jack Sock. -- playing later on against. To determine the second
0:29:13 > 0:29:21player in this group to go through to the semifinals. Who do you think
0:29:21 > 0:29:29will win that? Jack Sock or Sascha Zverev?You see, there is something.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32I think Zverev, but I think there is a little bit of history there, there
0:29:32 > 0:29:38might be a little bit added tension. Really, tell me more.
0:29:38 > 0:29:45I'm not sure I know much more. So there's been something.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50A little bit.
0:30:13 > 0:30:21Super angle.Great hitting from Cilic, and Federer is certainly not
0:30:21 > 0:30:26taking it easy with his movement. He did well to get the first one back.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Great angle from Cilic.
0:31:20 > 0:31:27Just enquiring about the second serve. Right on the line.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48Tim, there has been some interesting handbags over time, thinking back to
0:31:48 > 0:31:55the Wawrinka match against Roger Federer. Do you remember that one?
0:31:55 > 0:32:04That was a good one.It got a bit lively.It got lively, I guess Stan
0:32:04 > 0:32:08wasn't impressed by the level of support from the Federer can. You
0:32:08 > 0:32:13travel with each other ten and a half, 11 months of the year, you see
0:32:13 > 0:32:17each other around, agents, coaches, physios, you share a relatively
0:32:17 > 0:32:21small space in a high octane atmosphere, bound to happen now and
0:32:21 > 0:32:26again. Who was your greatest rival? Who did you have the biggest spat
0:32:26 > 0:32:30with? I bet you will say nobody.A couple of interesting matches with
0:32:30 > 0:32:38Nalbandian.Did you?He didn't necessarily see I do I about certain
0:32:38 > 0:32:45things.C1 in London.2005 when Frederick twisted his ankle -- Ahye
0:32:45 > 0:32:49won in London.Why did he get on your back? What was it about his
0:32:49 > 0:32:54attitude? Makes headlines. It was more about his game, his backhand
0:32:54 > 0:33:05was too good. It wasn't about the tennis! Didn't like his backhand!
0:33:09 > 0:33:18Marcelo Rios...Oh yes.He was fairly obnoxious at times.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45The ATP sportsmanship award named after Stephan Myburgh who is here
0:33:45 > 0:33:48supporting his former pupil, if you want to call him that, Roger
0:33:48 > 0:33:55Federer, won by Roger Federer this year again. Unbelievable on court.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03He is respected by his fellow professionals for being fair on
0:34:03 > 0:34:03court as well.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02Roger Federer a champion of this group already and winner of seven
0:36:02 > 0:36:07tournaments this year. It started with the Australian Open a
0:36:07 > 0:36:10phenomenal final against Rafael Nadal in Melbourne at the start of
0:36:10 > 0:36:14the year, after taking six months off after the previous year's
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Wimbledon. A remarkable piece of sporting history.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10That was special from Federer, it was behind him and rising. Just a
0:37:10 > 0:37:15bit of a slap on the backhand side. Watch the technique on this backhand
0:37:15 > 0:37:22side. It's very nicely done. He managed to hit a totally flat ball.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59APPLAUSE
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Return and move forward is one thing but I much prefer taking the return
0:38:12 > 0:38:16early when he went back on the first .8 or nine feet behind the baseline.
0:38:16 > 0:38:33I feel that gives up so much territory. -- on the first point,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36eight or nine feet behind the baseline.
0:39:47 > 0:39:56UMPIRE:Game, Cilic. New balls please.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00COMMENTATOR: That time of year when we look back on what we have enjoyed
0:40:00 > 0:40:04in the tennis season. Johanna Konta didn't finish as well as she would
0:40:04 > 0:40:09have liked as number one but still a top ten player, fantastic effort.
0:40:09 > 0:40:18I've just seen that Angelique Kerber, former number one, has Jo
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Konta's former coach. This is the season when people jump around a bit
0:40:21 > 0:40:26and take new employment. And contracts are signed and terms
0:40:26 > 0:40:34negotiated. I wonder what else will happen at this time. You never know
0:40:34 > 0:40:40until it happens unless you are behind the closed doors of what is
0:40:40 > 0:40:44going on. But some horse trading no question, Jo Konta will expect a
0:40:44 > 0:40:49better start to the New Year than she had at the end of last. Of form
0:40:49 > 0:40:53drifted away. It can happen.It can and it was a disappointing end
0:40:53 > 0:40:58because she had a great year, put us off in position to qualify for the
0:40:58 > 0:41:04WTA year-end championships. But it didn't quite materialise.There is
0:41:04 > 0:41:14Bear Grylls down there and on his wife Donna Creighton is his wife. I
0:41:14 > 0:41:19think he just walked through the entrance rather than blowing a hole
0:41:19 > 0:41:27in the roof and abseiling down, which no doubt he is capable of.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36-- and on his right, his wife.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47He's a left-hander, he flips his forehand a bit. It's another thing
0:41:47 > 0:41:55for the off-season, what these guys like to do. Roger Wilco walking in
0:41:55 > 0:41:58the mountains. I don't know if he still skis but he went away with
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Bear Grylls for a few days and did a bit of surviving, going wild with
0:42:03 > 0:42:10Bear Grylls, or whatever it's called. Don't shake your head at me,
0:42:10 > 0:42:17you want to stay nice and warm with half a bottle of red!Why go
0:42:17 > 0:42:20surviving when you can go to the Maldives? I don't get it.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22CHUCKLES
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Quick one.
0:42:40 > 0:42:49Because its spirit enhancing and fulfilling.Drink gin for spirit
0:42:49 > 0:42:54enhancing.
0:43:01 > 0:43:064-4 in the first set of this final group match.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20Just over half an hour played. He's had trouble holding serve from this
0:45:20 > 0:45:29end before. This one would be big trouble. Those are the other break
0:45:29 > 0:45:34points. He's just had a single break point here.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43APPLAUSE
0:45:51 > 0:45:55Good reaction from Cilic, the backhand volley the point before was
0:45:55 > 0:45:59a reflection of his performance in this event. Set it up well but
0:45:59 > 0:46:04couldn't finish it off. He came in that time and was able to put it
0:46:04 > 0:46:05away.
0:46:36 > 0:46:44Yeah. He got a hold of that serve at 130 mph and backed it up with the
0:46:44 > 0:46:49forehand. Well done. 29 years of age, number five in the world,
0:46:49 > 0:46:55fourth last month, so a career-high or thereabouts and an excellent year
0:46:55 > 0:47:02for him. Jonas Bjorkman on board for this former grand slam champion, of
0:47:02 > 0:47:05four brothers from Croatia. Pretty slow start of the year, lost to Dan
0:47:05 > 0:47:09Evans in the Australian Open, semifinal in Acapulco, Gregory and
0:47:09 > 0:47:13much going going but no good at Indian Wells and Miami but he won
0:47:13 > 0:47:18Istanbul in May on clay and didn't lose a set and that ignited him. Got
0:47:18 > 0:47:21of the French Open championships where he lost to Stan Wawrinka,
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Wawrinka, the final of Queens and Wimbledon and his EU really took off
0:47:25 > 0:47:30and after that he had the whole summer off, he had quite a staccato
0:47:30 > 0:47:37year but a successful one when he played. -- his year really took off.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41What you expect of him next year, what is he capable of?I think he's
0:47:41 > 0:47:49capable of winning the best, biggest events we have. The question mark
0:47:49 > 0:47:54really has been emphasised how good he is closing out matches against
0:47:54 > 0:47:55the very best.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04I think with the quality of tennis he played in the first two matches
0:48:04 > 0:48:08he would have been very disappointed to come out losing them both. He had
0:48:08 > 0:48:16big chances, the big serve indoors. Don't want to give up those
0:48:16 > 0:48:17opportunities.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39When you see somebody like Federer or any of the players hit a volley
0:48:39 > 0:48:43like that I sometimes question how well they are picking the ball up,
0:48:43 > 0:48:49when they get to the net, the ball coming out of the spectators behind.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52It looked a pretty basic volley that he hit straight back down the
0:48:52 > 0:48:53middle.
0:49:03 > 0:49:09I mean, the truth is, Federer, having won this group, could
0:49:09 > 0:49:13actually do without this match, couldn't he? At 36 years of age, I
0:49:13 > 0:49:19know he wants to...He will want to get through the match in two sets,
0:49:19 > 0:49:24doesn't want to be out there for two and a half hours. But he wants to
0:49:24 > 0:49:29maintain his rhythm, he wants to maintain the psychological edge over
0:49:29 > 0:49:38Cilic, send the message to the other players that he's ready to go.
0:49:50 > 0:49:56We have got some rugby chaps in today.
0:50:02 > 0:50:09The Australian rugby player next door to Bear Grylls courtside.
0:50:37 > 0:50:42A quick glance at the server stats, Federer's percentages this week have
0:50:42 > 0:50:51been a little lower but 70% first serves, winning 79% when the first
0:50:51 > 0:50:57serve goes in. A good foundation for the rest of your game.
0:52:46 > 0:52:58That missed by a fair bit. Is gone four rows, seems to have taken an
0:52:58 > 0:53:04earring off, or hit her neck.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24A little bit surprised at the back of the court there isn't some
0:53:24 > 0:53:29netting. It's quite a long way back to the crowd.
0:53:59 > 0:54:05Federer doing his best to go up through the gears but admirable
0:54:05 > 0:54:08resistance from Marin Cilic. He's the only one to have faced break
0:54:08 > 0:54:17points in this set. Two groups of four. The match taking place later
0:54:17 > 0:54:22on is the one that will decide who goes through along with Roger
0:54:22 > 0:54:27Federer from this group, Zverev versus Sock, that will be
0:54:27 > 0:54:33interesting, Radio 5 live Sports Extra for that. Interesting how
0:54:33 > 0:54:37Federer does manage to maintain motivation, how anybody does after
0:54:37 > 0:54:42they achieve great success. It was 2004 that Federer was first number
0:54:42 > 0:54:46one in the world and he is still out here, you've got to love hitting the
0:54:46 > 0:54:52ball. You've got to love actually playing otherwise you can't stay out
0:54:52 > 0:54:58there. Why did you end up saying that was enough?I think a
0:54:58 > 0:55:01combination of different reasons, but certainly a few injury
0:55:01 > 0:55:07struggles. I don't think my game was getting any better, I wasn't
0:55:07 > 0:55:13improving, just about to have our third child at that stage and I
0:55:13 > 0:55:17wanted to be out there competing to win titles, and I don't think that
0:55:17 > 0:55:19was probably the case at that stage.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41If I knew I was going to have to work with you I might have stayed
0:55:41 > 0:55:44out there a bit longer.Exactly. I wish you had!
0:55:47 > 0:55:48CHUCKLES
0:57:11 > 0:57:14Great defence from Cilic. Early in the point you thought Federer might
0:57:14 > 0:57:19move forward, but Cilic weathered the storm.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58The last tie-break they played was in the quarterfinal of Wimbledon
0:57:58 > 0:58:06last year, Federer won that 11-9. 6-3 in the fifth and he went on to
0:58:06 > 0:58:17win. One point from defeat in that quarterfinal match.And Federer in
0:58:17 > 0:58:25this event has won six tie-breaks in a row. The last one he lost was to
0:58:25 > 0:58:31Djokovic in the 2012 final.That counts as research.It counts as
0:58:31 > 0:58:35reading the notes in front of me.
0:59:48 > 0:59:53Talking the other day about how difficult it was to get on the front
0:59:53 > 0:59:59foot against Zverev. This little chip is useful in some circumstances
0:59:59 > 1:00:04but it's landing a bit short. Cilic able to get up to that ball with
1:00:04 > 1:00:07good footwork and make the most of these short balls.
1:00:21 > 1:00:26He tries to come forward with that, get on top in the rally, and it's
1:00:26 > 1:00:29another mistake and it's now suddenly 4-1.
1:00:32 > 1:00:37These are the moments we have talked about with Cilic, he has got his
1:00:37 > 1:00:40nose in front. Can he really capitalise?
1:00:48 > 1:00:55Federer was 4-0 down against Zverev in the tie-break and he finds
1:00:55 > 1:00:58himself in a bit of a hole here.
1:01:14 > 1:01:16After you, and then trip
1:01:21 > 1:01:38trip him up. 2-4 in this first set tie-break. Now then.
1:01:38 > 1:01:43Can't exactly say Cilic did anything wrong with those two points, but now
1:01:43 > 1:01:55the ball is in his court with his serve to come.
1:02:28 > 1:02:33Oh, some tough hitting. Both players, good defence, Federer.
1:02:33 > 1:02:41Cilic didn't do much wrong. Talking about Federer's finds the
1:02:41 > 1:02:47whole time, it was his footwork and his ability to make his opponent
1:02:47 > 1:02:54play an extra one each time, a mark of the champion he is. Every time.
1:03:17 > 1:03:21Seen them missed. Federer when the right way, trying to follow the
1:03:21 > 1:03:28Cilic overhit, a well struck penalty.
1:03:47 > 1:03:50Direction of serve on this point. It has been going to the Cilic forehand
1:03:50 > 1:03:54quite a lot.
1:04:14 > 1:04:26Oh, that is a superb point! The return was stunning.Second serve
1:04:26 > 1:04:31wasn't bad either.
1:04:37 > 1:04:48Yeah, that'll trick. -- that old trick.
1:05:14 > 1:05:21Ah, good for him! Excellent work, Marin Cilic! Ends this set on a
1:05:21 > 1:05:25break, and those unhappy memories from the Wimbledon final
1:05:25 > 1:05:29evaporating, in these two previous matches where he was so close to
1:05:29 > 1:05:33victory, but so close to victory this week. And of course the real
1:05:33 > 1:05:37highlight, Tim Henman is going to take us through the dashboard of
1:05:37 > 1:05:41Apollo 11 and make us all see how this match shapes up when it comes
1:05:41 > 1:05:49to statistics. I can't wait. Tim, all yours!Saw impressive from
1:05:49 > 1:05:58Cilic, 20 winners, but 22 unforced errors. A similar ratio for Federer.
1:05:58 > 1:06:07Total points one, and it was opaque set, wasn't it? 44-44, not coming to
1:06:07 > 1:06:15the net much.Were photographs? Week should get a grasp on the next layer
1:06:15 > 1:06:28here -- way are these graphs? We should get a graph.The sliced
1:06:28 > 1:06:31backhand, bringing the total down. These are more the meat and potatoes
1:06:31 > 1:06:45of the set. Federer better serving, 69% first serves, 81% won.That
1:06:45 > 1:06:48graph at the bottom, if I can interject, when you were in full
1:06:48 > 1:06:53flow? That actually makes sense to me, now. I get it. He has had break
1:06:53 > 1:06:58points, and that is what that graph is all about.It also indicates when
1:06:58 > 1:07:02he has had break points.Perhaps it is my mistake and this thing is very
1:07:02 > 1:07:07clear.It is tough for you when you're colour-blind.Yes.
1:07:07 > 1:07:15Beautifully done.And credit where credit is due. Cilic has played a
1:07:15 > 1:07:20very solid set of tennis.Do you think Federer wants to give three
1:07:20 > 1:07:24now, I does he give this away a little bit?I don't think he will
1:07:24 > 1:07:27give it away. I think Federer is probably not going to stress too
1:07:27 > 1:07:31much. We have seen him be a little bit grumpy on the court, at times,
1:07:31 > 1:07:35in the first two matches. I think he will go with the flow. Still fancy
1:07:35 > 1:07:48his chances and three, but if it doesn't happen, no damage done.
1:10:24 > 1:10:34They have not been to many of those, 2-2. Forced doubles.
1:10:41 > 1:10:50But a third ATP finals in four years for Marin Cilic, and has only ever
1:10:50 > 1:10:57won one round-robin match, against Nishikori last year.
1:11:15 > 1:11:21That works!
1:11:37 > 1:11:47Just warming up now. After almost an hour on court.
1:12:16 > 1:12:20Three times in a road running around, big forehands, not right off
1:12:20 > 1:12:31the middle that one necessarily, but beautifully worked in the end.
1:12:46 > 1:12:53Well, he's hitting the ball cleanly now.
1:13:09 > 1:13:17UMPIRE:Game, Cilic. APPLAUSE
1:13:17 > 1:13:24I von Ljubicic now coaching Roger Federer. He was in the season-ending
1:13:24 > 1:13:29championships. But rounding out the four players from Croatia to have
1:13:29 > 1:13:46played for wood here -- Ivan Ljubicic. Back in the 1970s.
1:13:46 > 1:13:46played here -- Ivan Ljubicic.
1:15:05 > 1:15:11I think you would normally say that the forehand side of Cilicis
1:15:11 > 1:15:27probably the weaker win, but he is using it well today. -- weaker wing.
1:15:27 > 1:15:37UMPIRE:Deuce.You definitely wanted to hit this one up.You get fined
1:15:37 > 1:15:55for that. The kids would have to go without Christmas presents. Four
1:15:55 > 1:16:00straight points. A frustrated Roger Federer here. Tough to dig deep,
1:16:00 > 1:16:09when you have already won the group.
1:16:13 > 1:16:24Cilic playing well.
1:16:33 > 1:16:39This was a tactic employed by Carreno Busta last night in the
1:16:39 > 1:16:46match against Dominic Thiem, Thiem won in the end. Had Rafa Nadal as an
1:16:46 > 1:16:58alternate, playing his part.
1:17:12 > 1:17:22Ljubicic.
1:18:29 > 1:18:33APPLAUSE
1:18:40 > 1:18:43You sense that Federer doesn't want to hang around, and that means it
1:18:43 > 1:18:47could go one of two ways, you either hit more winners or make more
1:18:47 > 1:19:06unforced errors. UMPIRE:New balls, please. Federer
1:19:06 > 1:19:10reads 2-1.A big difference when Roger Federer changed his racket. It
1:19:10 > 1:19:15is... I think he went up two square inches. He is taking another one out
1:19:15 > 1:19:21of the packet now.Certainly a slightly larger head, but also a
1:19:21 > 1:19:25slightly wider frame, so definitely gets a lot more help, bigger sweet
1:19:25 > 1:19:29spot with this.Helped on the backhand side particularly. He was
1:19:29 > 1:19:33sick and tired of being penned into the backhand corner by Rafa Nadal,
1:19:33 > 1:19:37wasn't he? One of the big things this year was being able to beat
1:19:37 > 1:19:42Rafa four times straight. He was asked, how has he been able to win
1:19:42 > 1:19:46those matches, and avoid some of the losses, and he said don't play him
1:19:46 > 1:19:53on clay. Five straight he has beaten Rafa now going back to the previous
1:19:53 > 1:20:07year. Is that... Yes, that is the
1:20:10 > 1:20:18family of Mohamed Lahyani. Would you recommend that for our club player,
1:20:18 > 1:20:2495 square inches or higher? Was that the same as yours?95, I think, mine
1:20:24 > 1:20:27was.Still think you can play? Who said that?
1:20:27 > 1:20:34LAUGHTER It is like using bladed golf club,
1:20:34 > 1:20:41isn't it? What tension do you string is that? You don't even know!A lot
1:20:41 > 1:20:54looser these days. 22-23 kilos.
1:21:10 > 1:21:17I don't suppose you would know what grip size you have either? That
1:21:17 > 1:21:23dainty little hand?
1:21:34 > 1:21:46As we all know, if it is not the arrow...
1:22:31 > 1:22:38Second serve ace.
1:24:00 > 1:24:05Nice change up from Marin Cilic, giving Federer some of his own
1:24:05 > 1:24:18medicine, playing him in short with a drop shot.
1:25:08 > 1:25:14Having a little glance at the match time on court for almost an hour and
1:25:14 > 1:25:1715 minutes, and I guess the schedule has worked out well for Federer,
1:25:17 > 1:25:23starting on Sunday, the Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday means he gets a
1:25:23 > 1:25:29day off before the semifinal match. So really indoors, in of how long
1:25:29 > 1:25:33this goes on, if it were to go on two and a half hours, don't think it
1:25:33 > 1:25:40is the end of the world.Even in his career, which is quite a long
1:25:40 > 1:25:45career, 17, 18, getting on 20 years, he has been out, and even in that
1:25:45 > 1:25:48time the sides of the sport has changed so much, it is not about
1:25:48 > 1:25:51just hitting the ball harder and being ready physically in that way,
1:25:51 > 1:25:55it is the recovery times, the understanding, the application of
1:25:55 > 1:25:59the knowledge around recovery. It has been amazing to me how these
1:25:59 > 1:26:03players and air conditioning has allowed them to come back and play
1:26:03 > 1:26:14these long matches again and again and again.
1:26:19 > 1:26:27Plenty of injuries on tour this year. Kei Nishikori, very early on,
1:26:27 > 1:26:29and Stan Wawrinka going the same way although he is hitting at the
1:26:29 > 1:26:36moment. Andy Murray, we are really not sure about, and Novak Djokovic,
1:26:36 > 1:26:43not sure about his physical condition.
1:26:43 > 1:26:50not sure about his physical condition.
1:26:50 > 1:26:53It has to be frustrating for Andy Murray, though, sitting at home. I
1:26:53 > 1:27:00don't know if he's watching this or not. If you are, hello, Andy. But it
1:27:00 > 1:27:05must be frustrating, and he was very happy to be here heading a few balls
1:27:05 > 1:27:08earlier this week, practising, and being amongst the guys again. This
1:27:08 > 1:27:12is his job and he's being denied the opportunity to do it, so the
1:27:12 > 1:27:15frustration, with all the success and the glory, he just wants to get
1:27:15 > 1:27:25out and play.
1:30:26 > 1:30:31The first set to Marin Cilic on tie-break, on serving the second as
1:30:31 > 1:30:37Roger Federer attempts to win this round robin match, he has already
1:30:37 > 1:30:40gone through in this group. He arrived on these shores sometime ago
1:30:40 > 1:30:45getting ready for this event, satisfying a commitment he made the
1:30:45 > 1:30:51Andy Murray live event in Glasgow at the SSE Hydro. We had to show you
1:30:51 > 1:30:55these, Roger played in a kilt and said it felt surprisingly
1:30:55 > 1:30:58comfortable. Of course, he's not playing with a sporran so doesn't
1:30:58 > 1:31:03count but he said it had a nice weight to it. He was asked whether
1:31:03 > 1:31:07he would like to play a full match, not sure if he would, but he played
1:31:07 > 1:31:13his part, as did Tim Henman, he was supporting the Andy Murray live
1:31:13 > 1:31:20event.I play with Mansour Bahrami with stomach against Andy and Jamie.
1:31:20 > 1:31:25But you hit with Roger a bit.Yes, it was a great event, and a great
1:31:25 > 1:31:32dinner the night before with an auction. They had a frame with
1:31:32 > 1:31:39rackets from Andy, Rafa, Roger and Novak that went for a lot of money,
1:31:39 > 1:31:46fantastic arena, impressive.The SSE Hydro on the banks of the River
1:31:46 > 1:31:56Clyde. Andy was moving no -- OK?He was moving OK, I think he had a bit
1:31:56 > 1:31:59of a limp, he's always done that, and we focus a bit more on the way
1:31:59 > 1:32:05he moves every step these days. But hopefully he's moving in the right
1:32:05 > 1:32:08direction, he still has a good six or seven weeks to get ready for
1:32:08 > 1:32:10Australia. So fingers crossed.
1:33:47 > 1:33:57Double figures on aces for Cilic. Absolutely ready to get his win
1:33:57 > 1:34:02here, after suffering two losses to Zverev and Sock from winning
1:34:02 > 1:34:08positions in his two other matches. Federer a winner over Zverev in
1:34:08 > 1:34:12three sets and Sock in two.
1:35:22 > 1:35:26A dangerous moment for Roger Federer now, a couple of backhand mistakes,
1:35:26 > 1:35:32not moving his feet with quite as much urgency as you would expect if
1:35:32 > 1:35:33the match was fully live.
1:36:19 > 1:36:25The world number one ranking had been decided before this event. Rafa
1:36:25 > 1:36:28Nadal taking that position after a fantastic year that saw him win a
1:36:28 > 1:36:34tenth French Open and another US Open, his fourth year and number one
1:36:34 > 1:36:39for a Rafa Nadal at the age of 31, the oldest ever will number one so,
1:36:39 > 1:36:43this effort from him, Roger Federer at 36 the oldest ever world number
1:36:43 > 1:36:48two. So they continue to set records, be it for ages or amount of
1:36:48 > 1:36:52titles. A remarkable generation. What do you hear about Novak
1:36:52 > 1:36:58Djokovic? I would love to see him back in this mix again.I'm not
1:36:58 > 1:37:03sure. I don't know quite whether he is recovering mentally or
1:37:03 > 1:37:08physically. I think after Wimbledon there were concerns about the elbow.
1:37:08 > 1:37:13I think it's all been pretty quiet on that front. But definitely, it's
1:37:13 > 1:37:17amazing how 12 months ago it was Andy and Novak going head-to-head to
1:37:17 > 1:37:21see who would finish world number one. Roger and Rafa went around and
1:37:21 > 1:37:25it's almost a complete role reversal. So, fingers crossed both
1:37:25 > 1:37:33Andy and Novak can make a big comeback in 2018.And Stan Wawrinka
1:37:33 > 1:37:34too.
1:40:10 > 1:40:1830-30 on your own serve at 4-4, the ace out wide, gets through that
1:40:18 > 1:40:21game, and suddenly two set points to Federer.
1:40:40 > 1:40:52We will go to three sets this afternoon.
1:40:52 > 1:40:58Good reaction from Federer when he won the second set, the fist pump,
1:40:58 > 1:41:03looking at the box, he is fully engaged.He doesn't want to lose,
1:41:03 > 1:41:07simple as that, you cannot cease to be a competitor no matter what the
1:41:07 > 1:41:09situation, just slightly concerning by how much energy he is taking out
1:41:09 > 1:41:13of his system but after the third set we go and they are delighted
1:41:13 > 1:41:19about it, off you go through this, Tim.More stats. More winners for
1:41:19 > 1:41:30Federer, bit of a role reversal. I guess really 32-29 is pretty even on
1:41:30 > 1:41:36points. Net points won, neither of them coming in much. Average
1:41:36 > 1:41:41groundstrokes beads for Federer has picked up, bringing his forehand
1:41:41 > 1:41:44into play, that would be an illustration of not hitting some
1:41:44 > 1:41:48many sliced backhand and skipping round and getting the forehand
1:41:48 > 1:41:53interplay.Not too many long rallies, no rallies over nine shots.
1:41:53 > 1:41:58Accelerating through the ball.That is an interesting stat, first serve
1:41:58 > 1:42:02percentage from Cilic, significantly dropping off, Federer getting a lot
1:42:02 > 1:42:10more looks at second serves. And really the middle stat at the
1:42:10 > 1:42:14bottom, break points, Federer has had a few in the match, six, and
1:42:14 > 1:42:19finally...I haven't worked out that graph of break points. Cilic had his
1:42:19 > 1:42:27break point through that set and didn't take it. Simple as that.
1:42:27 > 1:42:33There is that sliced backhand, which can be so effective.I sometimes
1:42:33 > 1:42:37feel against Cilic when playing against him, the better you play,
1:42:37 > 1:42:41the better he plays and in the last game Federer hit a couple of routine
1:42:41 > 1:42:47slow chips down the court to say, OK, the ball is in court, let's see
1:42:47 > 1:42:53what you can do. There is still value in changing the pace and
1:42:53 > 1:43:00changing the speed, it can easily be forgotten as people work on plan a,
1:43:00 > 1:43:05they sometimes forget B.
1:43:34 > 1:43:38It was important in the second set with Federer serving first to have
1:43:38 > 1:43:42his nose in front and breaking in the last game, gets a chance in the
1:43:42 > 1:43:51third.
1:44:18 > 1:44:224-4, 30-30, second set, great opportunity suddenly serving 0-1 in
1:44:22 > 1:44:26the third.
1:44:50 > 1:44:53There was a great backhand volley, I can't imagine there was a better
1:44:53 > 1:44:56backhand volley of Anne Stefan Edberg. When he would receive serve,
1:44:56 > 1:45:07you would receive it and he never gave away any forehands, it was all
1:45:07 > 1:45:11backhand, was tempting you to serve there because whatever happened you
1:45:11 > 1:45:16would play a top ball after serving to his backhand, he you work serving
1:45:16 > 1:45:20to that side, you have to be disciplined serve to his forehand.
1:47:36 > 1:47:44Here is a chance to get ahead for the world number two. Cilic faces a
1:47:44 > 1:47:51break point. Scouring the record books to see when the last person
1:47:51 > 1:47:58lost all three group matches in three sets.
1:48:15 > 1:48:27That's the way to take it. Four straight games, the clean forehand
1:48:27 > 1:48:33down the line. It is a shot he has been practising this match, taking
1:48:33 > 1:48:39the risk really, running round his backhand and teeing up for the
1:48:39 > 1:48:43forehand. 100 mph forehand. Making the pace himself, and then of course
1:48:43 > 1:48:51the umpire calls new balls as well. Double joy.
1:48:52 > 1:48:58UMPIRE:Cilic is challenging the call, it was called in.It is worth
1:48:58 > 1:49:01a look.
1:49:14 > 1:49:18It seems they have just gone off for a loo break.
1:49:58 > 1:50:06UMPIRE:Mr Cilic is challenging the call.I don't know, Marin
1:50:06 > 1:50:07UMPIRE:Mr Cilic is challenging the call.I don't know, Marin, I
1:50:07 > 1:50:11wouldn't bother.It is annoying when it is just in by a millimetre and I
1:50:11 > 1:50:15reckon this one is pretty similar. It's exactly the same. It's
1:50:15 > 1:50:23unbelievable.Talk about people aiming for the Lions.Aiming for the
1:50:23 > 1:50:26outside edge.
1:50:40 > 1:50:48One of the line judges at the far end who is doing the centre service
1:50:48 > 1:50:53line opposite, the woman who got the two calls spot on, he put both of
1:50:53 > 1:51:00his hands up saluting that she got those both right, because they are
1:51:00 > 1:51:06under pressure themselves on those challenges. First game to return
1:51:06 > 1:51:14means a new racket for Roger Federer.4-4, 30-30, and then
1:51:14 > 1:51:20Federer has won 18 of the next 23, 24 points. Amazing how quickly it
1:51:20 > 1:51:29turns around.Just popped it out wide, didn't he, on the serve? On
1:51:29 > 1:51:32the 30-30 point. He certainly didn't want to lose this match. But you
1:51:32 > 1:51:36wondered about a full on physical effort from his point of view. He
1:51:36 > 1:51:43has responded with the tennis. Federer was a set and a break-up
1:51:43 > 1:51:48against and slightly lost concentration, and lost the second
1:51:48 > 1:51:54set. You feel here 3-0 up in the third, he is going to be keen to
1:51:54 > 1:51:57maintain that intensity, to finish it off without wasting any more
1:51:57 > 1:52:05energy.They might play again in the final. Who knows? Zverev and
1:52:05 > 1:52:10Federer. We will see. Federer has been the favourite every step of the
1:52:10 > 1:52:15way as he always is in London. Rafa making the point that wouldn't it be
1:52:15 > 1:52:18nice if the season-ending championships could be played on
1:52:18 > 1:52:20clay. I think he has a point.
1:52:32 > 1:52:3948 of these events and none of them on clay.None of them on grass
1:52:39 > 1:52:46either.That's a good point too. Not many tournaments on grass. Plate
1:52:46 > 1:52:49accounts for about a third of the tour.
1:52:52 > 1:52:56Even more reason to put it on grass.
1:53:00 > 1:53:04Where are you going to find grass in November that works for a European
1:53:04 > 1:53:14field?Australia.It was in Melbourne once.
1:53:21 > 1:53:26It's going to be tough to move it away from London.It's here until
1:53:26 > 1:53:352020.I think so.And why not? Such a successful event.
1:53:52 > 1:53:56Hello... That's...
1:54:06 > 1:54:08Everyone was getting a bit confused there.
1:54:13 > 1:54:19Testing the hands of the ball boy down at the far end.
1:54:23 > 1:54:26Well caught.
1:54:37 > 1:54:42Dad on the left, agent and friend Tony Godsick in the middle, Mirka
1:54:42 > 1:54:54Federer. That's nice.
1:56:57 > 1:57:06Keeps him in this set. And the match.
1:58:56 > 1:59:03It's not difficult to pick numbers out of Roger Federer's Korea,
1:59:03 > 1:59:07difficult to know how to put it into perspective really. But this year
1:59:07 > 1:59:13he's lost only four matches, in Dubai in the second round, big
1:59:13 > 1:59:18surprise against somebody ranked 116th, and he lost to Tommy Haas in
1:59:18 > 1:59:22Stuttgart in the second round, had a match point in both of those matches
1:59:22 > 1:59:27I have told you about. Who lost a Del Potro in the US Open in the
1:59:27 > 1:59:30quarterfinal, very subdued performance there. Lost to Sascha
1:59:30 > 1:59:36Zverev in Montreal. Those are the only four losses he's had this year,
1:59:36 > 1:59:40I'm trying to compare it to his other years, won just over 50
1:59:40 > 1:59:52matches. In 2006 he was 92 wins and five losses. It is an unbelievable
1:59:52 > 1:59:57career. Did you mirror him exactly on tour years?I thought you are
1:59:57 > 2:00:04going to say did I mirror him on match wins! Exactly! I was on the
2:00:04 > 2:00:12tour a little ahead of him, seven years older. But we had the same
2:00:12 > 2:00:17agent when he came on to the tour, so I got to know him when he was
2:00:17 > 2:00:23young. I knew he was going to be good but I didn't realise quite this
2:00:23 > 2:00:24good.
2:00:46 > 2:00:53One of his first coaches and his first inspiration was a man who I
2:00:53 > 2:00:57knew col Peter Carter, who we have subsequently lost in a car accident,
2:00:57 > 2:01:16he was with Roger Federer -- called Peter Carter.
2:01:20 > 2:01:29And Peter was saluted, his memory and his family were saluted by
2:01:29 > 2:01:32Roger, after his first Wimbledon win, and I was delighted to see
2:01:32 > 2:01:42that. He served just like Peter Carter. In terms of style.
2:02:53 > 2:03:04Just wait. -- wide. Hasn't had a lot ofsuccess with Hawk-Eye in the set.
2:03:04 > 2:03:11This is his last challenge.
2:03:18 > 2:03:23UMPIRE:The col stands.
2:03:23 > 2:03:24UMPIRE:The call stands.
2:03:43 > 2:03:53Oh! He has actually worked on that, hasn't he, in this match?
2:03:53 > 2:03:56Must have done that six or seven times.
2:03:56 > 2:03:59How would you like to serve a second set at break point down to somebody
2:03:59 > 2:04:09doing that to you?
2:04:21 > 2:04:33Traditional chip charge, rather than the Sabre, the annoyingly named
2:04:33 > 2:04:37Sabre, from two or three years ago, sneak attack by Roger. Another break
2:04:37 > 2:04:43point.
2:04:50 > 2:05:02Is he going for the forehand again? And this time the off-speed chip
2:05:02 > 2:05:07return gets the job done, as much because of the four when he missed
2:05:07 > 2:05:16on the previous break point. 5-1. Similar to the Zverev match.
2:05:16 > 2:05:22Dominance in the final set.
2:06:29 > 2:06:35Ah, boy. It has been an exhibition this afternoon. From both players.
2:06:35 > 2:06:38In effect, with nothing particularly hanging on this match, but a good
2:06:38 > 2:06:51show. Three match points. And that's the end of that. Roger Federer once
2:06:51 > 2:06:54again unbeaten at the season-ending championships. He goes through
2:06:54 > 2:07:04undefeated to the semifinals. A repeat of the Wimbledon final and a
2:07:04 > 2:07:07repeat of the result. This time Cilic played better and grabbed a
2:07:07 > 2:07:17set, but this is all about Federer.
2:07:21 > 2:07:25Well, the crowd being asked for appreciation for Marin Cilic, quite
2:07:25 > 2:07:29rightly. He certainly played his part. For the third time in four
2:07:29 > 2:07:35years, she had earned his place in the season-ending finale, and has
2:07:35 > 2:07:39suffered three 3-set losses, tough to take, but he has provided a fair
2:07:39 > 2:07:46level of entertainment here, and that will be it for 2017 for Marin
2:07:46 > 2:07:53Cilic, firmly inside the top few players in the world. He's at the
2:07:53 > 2:07:58very top echelon and should be proud of his despite remaining winless at
2:07:58 > 2:08:02London this year. It is Federer advances as champion from his group,
2:08:02 > 2:08:13to play the runner-up in the other group, the Sampras Group. Dimitrov
2:08:13 > 2:08:20has already gone through from that. Let's get the thoughts now of Roger
2:08:20 > 2:08:25Federer, who has provided some fine entertainment this afternoon. Let's
2:08:25 > 2:08:34hear what the great man has to say. Well, well played, Roger. Marin
2:08:34 > 2:08:38major work extremely hard taking it to three sets today. Can you just
2:08:38 > 2:08:43give us your thoughts on the wing? Leckey said, a tough match -- on the
2:08:43 > 2:08:48win. A lot of chances in the first set, but I think Marin served well,
2:08:48 > 2:08:51a bit better on the breaker and I think I was a bit better in some
2:08:51 > 2:08:55important moments, then I was in trouble, asset and a break down and
2:08:55 > 2:08:59also in the second set, so happy I found a way out of it and at the end
2:08:59 > 2:09:02I played very well is a really happy to be playing at this level right
2:09:02 > 2:09:13now.And not an easy situation,
2:09:15 > 2:09:18knowing you have already won the group. What was your mindset coming
2:09:18 > 2:09:20into this match because of that?I was telling myself, try to relax a
2:09:20 > 2:09:23little. We have a lot of pressure every match during the season
2:09:23 > 2:09:26because when you lose you go home, so this one wasn't the case and it
2:09:26 > 2:09:29is nice to play tennis this way were maybe you can play a bit more
2:09:29 > 2:09:32freely, and I think I was able to do that, in the second set, reminding
2:09:32 > 2:09:35myself I am through regardless, but of course I want to do well, try to
2:09:35 > 2:09:38keep the momentum going and play the right way, and for that a win is
2:09:38 > 2:09:40always very helpful looking forward. And your suit your 14th semifinal
2:09:40 > 2:09:49out of 15 appearances here. Looking forward to that we can? -- you are
2:09:49 > 2:09:51through to your 14th.Yes, knowing I had qualified on Tuesday evening, it
2:09:51 > 2:09:54is kind of weird, to be already through to the semis, but of course
2:09:54 > 2:09:58it gives me a great idea of how to prepare for Saturday. I am looking
2:09:58 > 2:10:03forward to play far, I think it will be the winner of Goffin and Dominic
2:10:03 > 2:10:08Thiem, now, both great guys, friends of mine on the Tour, so I will watch
2:10:08 > 2:10:12that more and just try to relax right now. One great push before the
2:10:12 > 2:10:16vacation then prepare for next season.We look forward to it. Well
2:10:16 > 2:10:28done tonight. Roger Federer,
2:10:29 > 2:10:31ladies and gentlemen.Thanks, everybody. Thanks for coming. Sue
2:10:31 > 2:10:33SUE BARKER: They were absolutely delighted to watch the great man in
2:10:33 > 2:10:34action. A different sort of match than you
2:10:34 > 2:10:37would have anticipated, but take nothing away from Roger Federer. He
2:10:37 > 2:10:39could easily have said he will save himself for the semifinals, but just
2:10:39 > 2:10:44hates to lose.Yes, I think one of the words you could use was patient.
2:10:44 > 2:10:49Cilic played well, did well to get the first set under his belt, and
2:10:49 > 2:10:53Roger Federer did not panic at that stage. I don't think there was a
2:10:53 > 2:10:56sense of wasting extra energy, mental or physical, so he just
2:10:56 > 2:10:59stayed calm and waited for his opportunity in the second then
2:10:59 > 2:11:03suddenly when he got them at the end of that second set he just run away
2:11:03 > 2:11:07with it, eight of the last nine games, to finish the match off in
2:11:07 > 2:11:13under two hours, which certainly bodes well for Saturday.Yes, Roger
2:11:13 > 2:11:16Federer will probably be there for quite a well signing a few
2:11:16 > 2:11:20autographs for those lucky fans, but let's look at the group because
2:11:20 > 2:11:23Federer remained unbeaten and tonight it is a shoot out between
2:11:23 > 2:11:35Alex is -- Zverev and Jack Sock. And we will have Dominic Thiem against
2:11:35 > 2:11:39David Goffin at two o'clock tomorrow. Looking at that match,
2:11:39 > 2:11:42though, the service game. Matt Clarke divot-mac lost at the end of
2:11:42 > 2:11:55the second set, it just said it all. -- the games he lost at the end of
2:11:55 > 2:11:58the second set.Yes, he need a vacation, and simple as that. He had
2:11:58 > 2:12:03his chance at 4-4 in the second set, 30-30, but he has lost three matches
2:12:03 > 2:12:08in the sets which is a real drag for him, but watching the Federer show
2:12:08 > 2:12:12here this afternoon, it just strikes me, there will be a big Roger
2:12:12 > 2:12:15Federer size hole in the game and the sport for a while when he goes.
2:12:15 > 2:12:26You can't replace somebody
2:12:32 > 2:12:34like that. You hope that young stars emerge to captivate people across
2:12:34 > 2:12:37the board the same way he does but, you know, good show here today.
2:12:37 > 2:12:39Classic Federer. Looks like it is all, and Serena here, but he wanted
2:12:39 > 2:12:42to win to maintain his momentum. He is a vicious competitor and he looks
2:12:42 > 2:12:45so good and lovely on the outside but he didn't want to lose that
2:12:45 > 2:12:48match so he would be pleased to get the victory.And he has already
2:12:48 > 2:12:50pretty well manages career very well, hasn't he?Yes, interesting to
2:12:50 > 2:12:53hear him say earlier in the week how he felt this was almost a sort of
2:12:53 > 2:12:56unique year with how little he has actually played and still winning
2:12:56 > 2:12:58two Grand Slams, three Masters, one 1000 event, and he's talking about
2:12:58 > 2:13:05playing tournaments next year. So it will be interesting to see how he
2:13:05 > 2:13:11manages that aspect. Will he play the clay-court season, for example?
2:13:11 > 2:13:16Doubtful.I think it is doubtful. Having won the French Open, he can
2:13:16 > 2:13:21afford...That is what he wanted to do. Tim, Andy, thank you very much.
2:13:21 > 2:13:24What a performance from Roger Federer. Again he came from a set
2:13:24 > 2:13:28down to remain unbeaten here at the Nitto ATP Finals. He will be back on
2:13:28 > 2:13:34court on Saturday. We will be back tomorrow for Thiem against Goffin.
2:13:34 > 2:13:41Until then, from Olof us here, goodbye.
2:13:41 > 2:13:49COMMENTATOR: -- from all of us here. That is a superb point.Good for
2:13:49 > 2:13:53him, Marin Cilic! Frustrating Roger Federer here.So we will go the sets
2:13:53 > 2:13:59this afternoon. That was a little bit special from Federer.
2:13:59 > 2:14:01Roger Federer, unbeaten once again!