Ubaldo Scanagatta and Steve Flink Comment the Draws (AUDIO)
The draw for ATP World Tour Finals was made at Town Hall in London tonight, and the key news was that Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will face one another in the group stages.
Former British player Andrew Castle hosted the event, and was assisted by the jovial London Mayor Boris Johnson, under the watchful eye of tournament referee Gerry Armstrong and ATP Chief Executive Chris Kermode.
Stan Smith Group
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori
Illie Nastase Group.
Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer.
The draw could have potentially have seen Federer, Djokovic and Nadal all in the same group, but the fates have ensured that Nadal can now only meet Federer or Djokovic in the semi-finals. Andy Murray will also be relieved to have avoided Djokovic, as the World Number 1 has easily beaten him, in their most recent meeting in Paris.
Chris Kermode also officially announced that the ATP World Tour Finals will remain in London until 2018. The announcement had been expected, and despite strong pressure from the likes of Rio De Janeiro and Dubai, the ATP opted to continue the relationship with London and the O2 arena in Greenwich.
The Groups have been renamed to honour former Champions of the event, with Stan Smith and Ilie Nastase the two honoured this year.
The Doubles groups were also drawn, and named after former championship-winning teams.
Group Ashe/Smith
Bolelli/Fognini, Murray/Peers, Bopanna/Mergea, Bryan/Bryan
Group Fleming/McEnroe
Herbert/Mahut, Dodid/Melo, Matkowski/Zimonjic, Rojer/Tecau
Sunday will see Murray/Peers take on Bolleli/Fognini first, before defending champion Djokovic takes on Kei Nishikori as the Stan Smith gets underway in the afternoon session.
The evening session will see the Bryans face Bopanna/Mergea, and the Roger Federer will take on Tomas Berdych.
Monday will see Murray vs Ferrer in the afternoon singles, and Nadal vs Wawrinka in the evening session.
