ATP World Tour Finals: Top 5 Matches of All Time

Published 11/08/2019, 7:09 AM EST

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The ATP World Tour Finals 2019 is all set to commence from 10th November 2019 at the O2 Arena in London with the top 8 players on the ATP Tour battling to claim the final title of the 2019 season.

The ATP World Tour Finals 2019 Draw took place a couple of days ago and the 8 players were divided into two groups – the Andre Agassi group and the Bjorn Borg group.

Also Read: ATP World Tour Finals 2019 Draw: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer Fall in Same Group

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Over the years, the ATP World Tour Finals have witnessed some mouth-watering matches as the quality of the matches between the top 8 players of the world is unmatched. Let’s take a look at the top 5 standout matches of the ATP World Tour Finals over the years.

1. Roger Federer vs Stan Wawrinka – Semifinals (2014)

In one of the most thrilling all-Swiss encounters, Roger Federer edged his fellow countryman Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 after saving 4 match points in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals in 2014.

Stan Wawrinka kicked off the match in a perfect manner, claiming the first set quite comfortably. The second set, however, was a tighter affair, with Roger Federer coming out on top in the end. Wawrinka earned 3 match points while serving for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set, but the Swiss No.2 squandered the match points with some substandard volleys. Roger Federer held his nerves as he broke his opponent’s serve to force the match to go through the deciding tiebreaker.

In the final set tiebreaker, Wawrinka was once again on the front foot when he got the 4th match point opportunity, but was denied by a perfect service from Federer. It was the Swiss maestro who prevailed in the match as he converted his first match point and set up a title match with Novak Djokovic. However, all of Federer’s hard work went in vain as he was forced to pull out of the final due to an injury.

2. David Nalbandian vs Roger Federer – Finals (2005)

David Nalbandian played one of his best matches as he produced the finest tennis to come back into the match and defeat Roger Federer 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 in the finals of the 2005 ATP Finals (then ATP Masters Cup) to clinch his maiden tour finals title.

The Argentine was earlier defeated by Federer in the round-robin stage and was aiming to avenge his defeat in the title match. However, it was the Swiss maestro who was cruising through to finish the 5-set match in straight sets as he claimed the opening two sets.

However, David Nalbandian fought back to win the third and the fourth and forced the match to go the distance. In the deciding set, Federer had the chance to serve out the match but was broken despite being 30-0 up. Nalbandian then went on to claim the final set tie-break and his first-ever Tour Finals title.

3. Boris Becker vs Ivan Lendl – Finals (1988)

In one of the longest 5-set matches in the history of the ATP World Tour Finals, Boris Becker edged Ivan Lendl 5-7, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5) lift the year-end Nabisco Masters Final (Now – ATP Finals) trophy the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.

The German lost the first set and was down a break in the second but fought back hard to force a tie-break, which he won. Boris Becker was a break down in the deciding set as well, however, Ivan Lendl could not take the advantage of being in the lead as Becker forced the match to the final set tiebreaker.

After four hours and 42 minutes of grueling tennis, the match finished just before midnight and it was the 21-year-old Becker, who outlasted Lendl to clinch the title.

4. Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori – Round Robin (2016)

Andy Murray battled past Kei Nishikori in one of the most thrilling matches of the ATP World Tour Finals in 2016. After losing the opening set, Andy Murray fought back to beat Kei Nishikori 6-7(9-11), 6-4, 6-4 in a grueling contest and close in on a semi-final place.

The first set was quite an equal one with Nishikori battling through to the tiebreaker and claiming the opening set.

Andy Murray could not hold on to an early break in the second set, with Kei Nishikori breaking the Briton’s serve for the first time after two hours to level back the set at 4-4. However, it was Murray, who toiled his way through the next two games to level back the match at 1-1.

A net cord helped Murray get the crucial first break at 2-1 in the deciding set, he then cruised through the set, leading 5-1 but even with a four-game lead, the match witnessed more twists. Nishikori busted 3 consecutive games to 5-4, but the Scot found his range when he needed it to serve out the match at the second time of asking, winning the match after 3 hours and 20 minutes.

5. Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer – Round Robin (2013)

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Novak Djokovic edged Roger Federer in their round-robin matchup at the ATP World Tour Finals 2013. After winning the opening set, Novak Djokovic was put on the backfoot as the lost the second set. However, it was the Serbian who prevailed after the completion of three sets 6-4, 6-7, 6-2.

Djokovic looked to seal the match after claiming the opening set 6-4. However, the Swiss maestro fought back hard to win the second set tiebreaker and level back the match. Roger Federer was looking to cruise through the match but the Serbian star gained momentum and never looked back as he won a crucial group stage match.

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Written by:

Varun Khanna

1,339Articles

One take at a time

Starting off as a tennis author in 2018, Varun Khanna has gone on to contribute to EssentiallySports in various capacities. After setting up interviews with the likes of Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Alizé Cornet, and Noah Rubin, Varun is now part of all major ATP and WTA press conferences and has gone on to pen more than 1300 articles for EssentiallySports. He now heads the tennis and NBA division of the organization.
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