ATP World Tour Finals: Watch highlights of the year's ATP 1000 events
Thursday 12 November 2015 17:11, UK
The ATP World Tour Finals are about to illuminate London’s O2 Arena as 2015 draws to a dramatic conclusion.
It has been a year that Novak Djokovic has dominated by setting a host of records but Andy Murray and Roger Federer have beaten him at previous ATP 1000 events so there is reason to be determined ahead of a London showdown.
We take a look back at every ATP 1000 event of the year…
Indian Wells
Novak Djokovic started 2015 as he meant to go on, picking up his first ATP 1000 title of the year with victory over world number two Federer. The Serb won 6-3 6-7 6-2 back in March and, with the American heat beating down on him, delivered a stark warning to the chasing pack that he intended to make this year his own.
Federer staged a brilliant second-set comeback but it was little more than brief respite in a final that always saw Djokovic in command. He had earlier beaten Andy Murray in the semi-finals.
Miami
Murray returned to the Florida city that is his home from home and the hard courts where he hones his pre-season preparations, however he was to lose in the final to a rampant Djokovic.
A fifth Miami title was won with a 7-6 4-6 6-0 victory as Murray melted in sweltering conditions and the pressurising tennis of the world No 1. A week later, Murray would get married but the Miami final was a concerning reminder of the Serb's superiority over his closest rivals.
Monte Carlo
Djokovic became the first player to win the first three ATP 1000 tournaments of the year after a three-set win against Tomas Berdych amid the riches of the Monaco city. A rain interrupted final didn't throw Djokovic off the scent and he eventually recorded a 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph. Murray, meanwhile, opted out of Monte Carlo as he settled into newlywed life.
Madrid
Murray opened his account for the year in magnificent fashion - besting the world's best clay court player Rafa Nadal on his own surface in the Spanish capital.
With Djokovic sitting it out, Murray romped to a 6-3 6-2 victory after overwhelming Nadal with an exciting variety of movement and shot-making. Nadal, aiming for a third straight Madrid title, was dumped out of the world's top five after Murray's win - the British No 1 in fine form ahead of the French Open.
Rome
Djokovic threw his name back into the ring after a rest, and duly humbled Federer in their second ATP 1000 final of the year. This time Murray remained at home for the Italian event but may have been concerned to see Djokovic storm to a 6-4 6-3 win that rarely saw Federer threaten. With the French Open looming there was no doubt that Djokovic was the man to beat.
Montreal
Finally, Murray's winless streak against Djokovic was ended! An eight-match losing streak that dated back to the 2013 Wimbledon final was snapped in Canada as the British No 1 lifted the trophy.
Murray needed over three hours, and five match points, to finally rid himself of the Djokovic curse but eventually ran out a 6-4 4-6 6-3 winner. The mammoth effort from Murray was a timely reminder, ahead of the US Open, that Djokovic couldn't rest on his laurels as the world's top player.
Cincinnati
A fortnight off his 34th birthday Federer delivered a grand statement of his long-lasting greatness by blowing away Djokovic in the United States. A noticeably aggressive approach from the Swiss legend paid dividends as he won 7-6 6-3, leapfrogging Murray to the world No 2 spot in the process. The US Open couldn't come quickly enough for the Fed Express.
Shanghai
Djokovic was back to winning ways in China, mauling Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in two sets to take the Shanghai gold after winning in Beijing a week earlier.
A 6-2 6-4 win against the world No 15 was Djokovic's 17th consecutive victory and his 21st successful set in a row. The hard work had already been done by Djokovic, who also handed Murray a one-sided battering in the semi-finals.
Paris
Djokovic set a new record as he won a sixth Masters title in the calendar year, dishing out yet another Murray beating in the process.
The French capital was the venue as the world No 1 galloped to a 6-2 6-4 victory that never looked in doubt, as he had Murray chasing shadows from the first exchanges. It was Djokovic's 14th straight appearance in the final of a tournament that he had entered, an all-time record for a single season, and a 10th win in 11 matches against Murray.
Watch the ATP World Tour Finals, live on Sky Sports from November 15-22
