Djokovic wins third straight match at ATP finals

With the showbiz feel and razzmatazz, the setting feels both refreshing and entertaining for players who can play significant and meaningful tennis, while in a fast-paced, three-set format.

But, after seeming to be hampered by injury in the first set, Monfils suddenly found his rhythm in a one-sided second set, while Thiem lost his way.

His second win on the spin here, 21st over the past two months and eighth in 10 matches over Nishikori, was far tougher than his commanding 6-3, 6-2 workout in the first round of his group, against Marin Cilic.

Raonic could play Murray in the semifinals and thus potentially end his year-end No. 1 hopes – two weeks after the world No. 4’s walkover in Paris handed Murray the No. 1 spot.

Soares however had some strong feelings: “No I care”. “But I think it’s fair, correct and respectful towards a player that if you go over the first time, you at least get a head’s up. That’s why I wanted to have a conversation and understand why”.

“He was making me run a lot, but I was starting to get some free points on his serve”. “Why stress. We come here to play, to enjoy”. We won two matches, two sets.

“It was a bit odd”.

“You heard my opinion on the court, I don’t need to repeat it again”, he told Sky Sports.

“Playing over three days, best-of-five”. Murray needed an ice bath after that grueling, three-set win.

In the pivotal first-set tiebreaker, Raonic hit aces on his last three service swings.

Of course it looked as though history might repeat itself, with Raonic sustaining a grade 1 quad tear but his movement and resolve this time around has been a stark contrast.

Djokovic was given a time violation by umpire Fergus Murphy when he took a lengthy pause after losing a long rally in the first set. He then managed to go up a break twice in the second set, but Raonic responded each time.

Highlights of Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem at the ATP World Tour Finals. Djokovic said at the next changeover, explaining it was the first time he had gone over the allotted 25 seconds.

The Canadian is playing the best tennis of his life, relying on one of the best serves on the planet. It was an incredible experience. The victory gives Raonic a chance to make a final statement in a year that for him was very much a statement year.

“Here are the best eight players of the season. I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere”.

Thiem is clearly very aware that he has no time to waste.

The Canadian quipped: “If the other two aren’t right, hopefully one will be”. “I was 4-3, 30-love, then just four pretty bad unforced errors. I think a lot of the players feel the same way”. Two straight-sets losses and his time in London was done. I don’t know if indoor hard courts is necessarily his. Actually, let’s say my whole career (smiling).

It was poor value for the O2 Arena crowd who probably expected something more competitive – not that Djokovic was too concerned.

Given the complex nature of the Tour Finals rule book, Murray now takes on U.S. Open champion Wawrinka on Friday with his fate still to be decided, while Nishikori also has a chance of reaching the semifinals when he faces Cilic.