The World Tour Finals showcase tennis’ top eight players but, just like last year, the first four matches in London this week turned out to be duds.
All four victories were engineered by the “Big Four” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, with the losing players totaling a combined 21 games.
But on Tuesday afternoon fans finally witnessed a dramatic encounter, with eighth seed Kei Nishikori downing Tomas Berdych 7-5 3-6 6-3 in a two-hour, 23-minute appetizer to the night’s main course of Djokovic versus Federer.
Nishikori was crushed by Djokovic at the O2 Arena to begin the tournament Sunday after entering London uncertain following injuries to his shoulder and stomach — though the 25-year-old hasn’t been the only one swept aside by the dominant world No. 1 this year.
The 2014 U.S. Open finalist from Japan must have been pleased to see Berdych on the other side of the net, since he had beaten the Czech in three of their four previous matches. Berdych had lost eight of his previous 11 matches at the season-ending showpiece.
Nishikori, however, looked to be in trouble serving at 4-5 in the first set Tuesday. Down 15-30, he was relieved when the 2010 Wimbledon finalist couldn’t put away a routine forehand volley. Nishikori won the point and later the set.
With Nishikori comfortable at 2-0 in the second, Berdych mustered the will to mount a comeback and will rue his break-point chance at 3-3 in the third. Running Nishikori all over the court, the sixth seed sent a backhand into the net with his foe well stranded.
Nishikori appeared to play the point with a broken string — which makes it difficult to control the ball.
Berdych paid the price in the ensuing game, erring on consecutive short forehands to trail 5-3. Such mistakes, plus a low first-serve percentage of 50, contributed to the 30-year-old’s defeat.
Nishikori improved to 1-1 in Group Stan Smith as he bids to reach the semifinals for the second straight year, while Berdych — who hasn’t reached the semis since 2011 — fell to 0-2.
Defending champion Djokovic and record six-time winner Federer play for the 43rd occasion, their record split at 21-21. Djokovic, though, has won four of their six matches in 2015, including the U.S. Open and Wimbledon finals.
The Serb also beat the Swiss veteran to clinch the 2012 title, while he claimed the ATP crown last year with a walkover after Federer pulled out with a back problem.