World number one Novak Djokovic will face 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in a round robin match on Day 2 of the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Monday.
Djokovic, Cilic, Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych have all been drawn in Group A of the end-season extravaganza, and will kick off proceedings at the O2 Arena tonight.
Defending Tour Finals champion Djokovic has had a good year on the tour this time. The Serb won the Wimbledon, regained the world no.1 rank and collected six titles overall, with a 57-8 record this season.
The 27-year-old is now a favourite to end the year atop the ATP rankings. However, he is well aware that world no.2 Roger Federer is only a few points away from usurping him, and is hence determined to put up a good show in London once more.
"It's the last tournament of the season. Only the best eight players in the world play here. It's a unique format, round robin, that we don't have on the Tour at all," Djokovic pointed out.
"It's the crowning achievement for all players here and they all want to finish in the best possible way. That's why every match that you play in the group is like playing in the semi-finals or final of a Grand Slam."
Cilic, on the other hand, has enjoyed a breakthrough year. The 26-year-old reached the highest point of his career so far when he won the US Open a couple of months ago - in what was his first ever major final.
The Croat secured a spot in the Tour Finals this year with his four titles, and the 54-18 record on the tour. The eight-man showdown is the first in Cilic's career, and he expressed his excitement to be part of it.
"It's a huge pleasure for me to be here in London. After a whole season [it's an honour] to be in the Top 8 to play this amazing event. In the past I was close to making it, but I have never experienced it. It's an amazing feeling so far," Cilic stated.
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Djokovic holds a perfect 10-0 lead in the head-to-head between the two players.
Where to Watch Live
Djokovic vs Cilic will not start before 1.30am IST (7pm GMT), with Ten Sports and Ten HD providing live coverage in India, while the match can also be watched via live streaming online on Ten Sports Live.
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 3 HD, while they can also catch the action live on Sky Go. US viewers can watch the game live on Tennis Channel (subscription required) on TV or online on Tennis Channel.
